Key facts
Duration
Trimester 1 commencing students: 1 year over 3 consecutive trimesters.
Trimester 2 commencing students: 1 year over 3 consecutive trimesters
Trimester 3 commencing students: 1 year over 2 consecutive trimesters
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning trains you to improve the strength, power and endurance of your athletes and have them in peak condition for competition. Upskill in key areas of sport science that allow you to solve more complex challenges. You will gain the expertise to develop customised strength and conditioning programs that are grounded in science and backed by evidence.
Want the career benefits of postgraduate study without having to commit to a longer degree?
The Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning is designed for busy professionals looking to progress their career in the sport science industry. You can study while you work and complete your degree online in one year part-time. You’ll also benefit from two short intensives on campus.
Develop the complex knowledge and skills to solve multi-faceted challenges. Your athlete might need muscular hypertrophy to improve their performance in a contact sport; or they may need a long-term training program that sees their endurance peaking for a tournament two years from now. No matter their goal, you will be able to create a program that gives them their best shot at success. Become an expert in leading methods across a range of areas, including:
- strength and hypertrophy
- plyometrics, speed, and muscular power
- aerobic and anaerobic power
- periodisation and tapering methods
- high-intensity interval training
- recovery methods
- integrity, ethics and legal considerations
- communication with athletes and coaches
Complement these technical skills by boosting your management capabilities through studies in leadership, culture development and continuous improvement. These management skills don’t just make you more employable, they give you a recipe for team success and allow you to develop your support staff, as well as your athletes.
The curriculum is underpinned by science and research, some of which is produced by expert Deakin academics who research training methods to optimise their use – just one of the reasons why Deakin has been the #1 sport science school in the world for four years running*. You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate and apply research to make confident, evidence-based decisions in your role. Better still, you will have direct access to academics with expertise in a broad range of sport science fields. This includes specialist researchers within Deakin's multidisciplinary Centre for Sport Research (CSR) and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). Draw on their professional experiences in your everyday work and leverage their industry connections to start forming your own.
The course is made up of four of the ten units from Deakin’s Master of Applied Sport Science.
After completing this course, you may wish to enhance your credentials further by articulating into the Master of Applied Sport Science.
* Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2021, 2022, 2023
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H513
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning students must attain 4 credit points comprising 4 one credit point core units. There are no elective units.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information. The course maps will guide the units you need to enrol in each trimester.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
^These units have practical Intensive components. Please refer to ‘Participation requirements’ section for further information.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Workload
As a student in an online course with on campus intensives in some units in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend at least 11-13 hours per unit every week participating in a range of teaching activities. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Participation requirements
HSE721, HSE724 and HSE725 intensives require on campus attendance. Intensives are typically delivered up to 5 days.
Domestic students must attend all intensives on-campus at Deakin University.
International students must attend HSE724 and HSE725 intensives either on campus at Deakin University, Australia or at Universiti Sains Malaysia. HSE721 intensives must be completed either via on campus at Deakin University, Australia or online (video conferencing). International students who wish to complete intensives in person are recommended to attend all intensives in Trimester 3, please refer to the visa information under 'Additional course information' section.
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Download course guideEntry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $54,435.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2025 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning (4 credit points), based on the 2025 fees.
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*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
The course prepares you for career growth in the industry. Graduate with a sought-after combination of sport science and managerial skills that set you up for success in roles such as:
- high performance manager
- strength and conditioning coach (sports clubs, performance training centres, sports and private schools)
If you are looking to pursue further study, you may wish to articulate into the Master of Applied Sport Science after completing this course.
Professional recognition
We are recognised as an industry provider for the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science or Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning, you will meet the theoretical and practical skills gained through HSE724 Strength and Conditioning for High Performing Athletes and HSE725 Advanced Training Design for Sport for Level 2 ASCA accreditation. You would be required to provide ASCA with evidence of an article of publication standard for the Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning (JASC), and practical coaching experience, to meet the eligibility requirements for Level 2 accreditation.
For more details and to view the application form, visit ASCA.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced knowledge of selected aspects of sport science to sport performance related problems including some key principles and concepts |
| Communication | Select and use appropriate modes of communication to transmit evidence based sport science knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences with a view to inform, motivate and effect change at the individual and organisational level. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital technologies to locate and disseminate information, ideas and resources related to sport science to specialist and non- specialist audiences |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse complex theoretical and technical information related to a specialised sport science context. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to autonomously analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex sport science problems in a specialised sport science context. |
| Self-management | Employ high-level personal responsibility, accountability and autonomy to demonstrate expert judgement and adaptability to familiar and emerging challenges confronting sport scientists. |
| Teamwork | Contribute to an interdisciplinary team and establish constructive relationships, with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes and to advance sport science in a specialised sport science context. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates personal autonomy, awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in sport sciences. |
The power of performance with Alessia Del Tito
Alessia Del Tito has always loved sport. During her degree in sport science and sport management, she learnt about the power of performance analysis. Six months later, Alessia was working at the Australian Football League.
Footnotes
^Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2018