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Graduate Certificate of Leadership

Postgraduate coursework

Learn to recognise and apply the capabilities that pivotal leaders display, through theoretical investigation and professional practice.

Key facts

Duration

1 to 1.5 years part-time

Locations

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Seeking to enhance your understanding of professional practice in leadership skills? The Graduate Certificate of Leadership provides you with valuable development opportunities and a taste of postgraduate study. Learn to recognise the capabilities displayed by pivotal leaders, through integration of theoretical investigation and professional practice within this specialist program.

Are you ready to build upon your professional leadership experience?

Effective leaders drive results while engaging others in the journey. Discover what it takes to lead an organisation through technology disruption, changing customer needs and challenging external environments. Develop relevant skills, contemporary knowledge and real experience, to ensure you graduate as a business leader of tomorrow.

Delivered on our premium online learning platform, this flexible program is designed for busy professionals who want to study and immediately apply the knowledge and skills obtained through the course, in their own workplace. The Professional Practice Credential Assessment complements this course, and allows you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience for assessment, to obtain a suite of credentials that recognise your professional expertise.

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Leadership can provide a pathway into Deakin's Master of Leadership.

Read More

Course structure

The Graduate Certificate of Leadership requires successful completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin plus 2 core units, 2 Professional Practice credentials and 2 stackable short courses (microcredentials).

Core units

  • Leadership Practice with Impact
  • Leadership and Professional Development

Compulsory 0-credit point unit

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core professional practice credentials

Students must successfully complete the two Professional Practice credentials listed below.

Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. All professional practice credentials are linked to the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes and will be assessed within the context of the leadership discipline. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously and are assessed by an assessment panel that includes both academic and industry representatives. Please refer to the table below for the list of credentials.

Learn more about the details of each microcredential (PDF, 4.2MB)

Graduate Certificate Credential Requirements
Core credentials Minimum Level^ Currency*
CRADC-G1 Adaptive Mindsets (Advanced) Advanced 5 years
CRDSR-G1 Driving strategic results (Advanced) Advanced 5 years

*Applicants who have not satisfied the level requirement, or who have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe may be permitted to seek re-credentialling.

^There are five levels of Professional Practice credentials, and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Advanced level is aligned to the Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma level.

Course electives

Students must successfully complete two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) from the list below.

Graduate Certificate stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredential)
DMC710-AW Crisis Leadership 0.5 credit point
MMC705-AW Innovation and Leadership 0.5 credit point
MMC704-AW Innovation and Organisational Change 0.5 credit point
MMC715-AW Sustainable Leadership to 2030 0.5 credit point

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.

*Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in eight months by completing all units in two consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Other course information

Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in eight months by completing all units in two consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study.

 

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

To complete the Professional Practice Credentials, students will be required to draw on their current and past leadership experience.

Try this course for free

Interested in a free taster of this course?

The first two-week block of this course is available free on FutureLearn, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Try it out and discover just how flexible and rewarding online learning with Deakin can be. You’ve got nothing to lose!

Try this course for free on FutureLearn

Entry 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 in any discipline and two years relevant experience*
  • three years of relevant work experience*

*Work experience must be in a managerial or professional role with evidence of leading teams, including either direct or indirect reports as a supervisor or manager, and operational implementation of strategy.

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:

Non-academic requirements

You must provide the following with your application:

  • a current CV that clearly demonstrates professional / managerial experience
  • current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning your work experience
  • a personal statement outlining your motivation for study and other information that you deem helpful for assessing your application

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Fee rate

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

The estimated tuition fees range from $11,350 to $12,505

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.

This course includes a combination of tuition fees for two credit points of study, two Professional Practice credentials and two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials).

For further information regarding tuition fees visit our Current students fee estimator.

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.

Search or browse through our scholarships

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.

Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

Apply now

Apply direct to Deakin

Your time is important, so we provide one-on-one support to make your application and enrolment process as smooth as possible.

Step 1: Give us a call

Chat to one of our enrolment advisers before you begin the application process. They’ll provide advice on whether the course is suitable for you. If you decide to apply, they’ll guide you through the process.

Call an enrolment adviser on 1300 043 524 or request a call back

We're available (AEST):
Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-5pm

Step 2: Gather your documents

Your enrolment adviser will tell you which documents you’ll need to complete your application. This usually includes transcripts and certificates verifying previous studies, as well as evidence of five years’ managerial experience.

Step 3: Apply online

After speaking with your enrolment adviser and gathering your documents, you’re ready to start your application.

Need more information on how to apply?

For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.

Pathways

Completion of a Graduate Certificate of Leadership is an alternative entry option for students wishing to attain a Master of Leadership but who have not completed a Bachelor Degree.