Explore your board aspirations
This short course covers contemporary governance principles, how to effectively and efficiently support information flow and decision-making, differentiators of great non-executive directors and high-performing boards, and how boards can add real value.
-
Start date
08 May 2025 -
Duration
8 weeks -
Study mode
Online masterclass -
Investment
$1980 (inc. GST)
Job skills outcome
After completion of the masterclasses and assessment, you will be able to apply these skills immediately in your workplace.
- Learn the attributes required to transition to a non-executive director on a board.
- Become an expert in contemporary governance principles, processes, systems and information flow.
- Identify board best practice and assist in board decision making.
Earn a digital credential
We’ve teamed up with Credly to award you a digital credential when you complete this industry-recognised stackable short course, plus you can bank the credit towards a Deakin postgraduate degree. You can also share your digital credential on social and professional platforms.
Co-designed with industry
This industry-led stackable short course is co-designed with Out of the Box Executive. Together, we’ve designed a course where you’ll gain skills that you can apply immediately in your workplace.
Meet the expert
Jo Plummer is Director at Out of the Box Executive, a Deakin MBA Alumni and Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Fellow. Jo's portfolio includes numerous board chair and committee roles, professional director mentoring, ambassador for Business in Heels International, plus educating, presenting and MC'ing.
Meet the organisation
Out of the Box Executive is a consultancy business that helps boards, businesses and executives to perform at their optimum, and deliver outcomes beyond their purpose and value proposition.
Reshaping university education
An innovative learning structure delivered by a leading university. With more than 40 years’ experience in distance and online education, we’re proud to be adding this unique study format to our courses, providing you with more choice to further your career and fulfil your lifelong learning needs.
Course overview
How you'll learn
Learn directly with industry experts in small groups during online live sessions delivered over six weeks. Build your expertise and elevate your industry knowledge with support from your educator, fellow learners and our team. We’re there for you before and after the online live sessions and assessment tasks. You are required to attend all masterclasses.
What you'll learn
During the short course you’ll:
- discuss why boards exist and the attributes of a great director
- explore contemporary governance principles, processes, systems and information flow
- learn tips for getting decisions across the line
- get involved in a boardroom simulation that explores the Performance Formula©
- understand boardroom aspirations and motivation
- identify the benefits of becoming a director and the challenges of taking the executive to director leap.
How you're assessed
Pre-class assessment
You are required to submit a 1000-word pre-class investigation of a recent high-profile governance or board issue. This document is due seven days prior to the first class. You'll present this during the online masterclass and take part in a group-based simulation activity.
Post-class assessment
Following the last online masterclass, you'll be required to submit a 1000-word self-reflection, outlining how you would apply the learnings, tools and practises to your own workplace or career journey. This is due seven days following the last class.
Entry requirements
To be successful we recommend you are proficient in English and have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in a related field or significant work experience.
Course dates
All webinars will be delivered from 5pm to 8pm AEST
- Thursday, 22 May 2025
- Thursday, 29 May 2025
- Thursday, 12 June 2025
- Thursday, 19 June 2025
Please note: Start date of course is Thursday 8 May 2025 as a self-paced assessment task is due Thursday 15 May 2025
An insightful and practical short course that gives you a good understanding of the board director role and of board governance. It was delivered in a fun, collaborative and informative way by Jo Plummer.
Michael
Being Board Savvy short course
About enrolment
It takes five minutes to register your details and sign up for a stackable short course. We have discounts available for Deakin alumni, staff and group bookings. Enrol today and get the skills you need to take your career further, faster.
Stackable or standalone short course
Complete one stackable short course as a standalone credential, or stack multiple to build towards a full postgraduate degree at Deakin. Stackable short courses are affordable and help you to complete a postgraduate degree faster.
Recommended pathway to a related postgraduate degree
Learners who study this stackable short course also complete Change Tools and apply both as credit* towards the following postgraduate degrees:
Postgraduate degrees you can apply stackable credit to
Unsure what degree you want to study? Study two stackable short courses that interest you and apply both as credit towards a wide range of postgraduate degrees at Deakin – from business administration to nursing, sustainability to communication, and more.
Other stackable short courses you can study at Deakin
If you're interested in this stackable short course, you may also like:
Got a question?
We've curated some of the most common questions students like you are asking about applications, entry requirements, fees and more.
Stackable short courses
Skip to next topicCan I gain credit towards a degree?
Yes. We offer fast, flexible and affordable online stackable short courses that give you the skills you need now, and are designed to stack together as credit towards a full Deakin postgraduate degree.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do Deakin's short courses guarantee entry to a postgraduate degree?
You’ll still need to demonstrate that you meet the postgraduate degree entry requirements. Two stackable short courses are equivalent to one credit point.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do I transition from a stackable short course to a graduate certificate or masters?
Contact us and we’ll provide you with instructions before you start the application process. You’ve already provided us with some of your details for the short course, but we will need a bit more information to support your application for a postgraduate course.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do employers recognise Deakin's stackable short courses?
Deakin has undertaken extensive industry and labour market research to identify key in-demand skills and growth areas. Our short courses are co-designed with industry experts and partners, to meet your career goals and their employment needs.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How many stackable short courses can I study?
As many as you like! However there are limits on how many can be used for credit in specific degrees, which is outlined in the University Handbook. Typically, a maximum of four stackable short courses can be used as credit towards a masters and two stackable short courses towards graduate certificates and diplomas.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do I qualify for credit?
When you enrol in a stackable short course, you’re registered in Deakin’s student management system. When you complete two stackable short courses (1 credit point), your credit is automatically applied when you apply for a related degree. Upon successful completion you’re issued with a digital credential, which you can use as evidence.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What if I only do one stackable short course, not two?
You can choose to do one stackable short course, developing in-demand skills for your employment now and with the option to ladder your study into a formal qualification in the future. Completing one course means you’re not eligible for credit towards a related destination degree – you need to complete two for credit.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do you have to do two stackable short courses in one year?
No. You can complete the stackable short courses at any time, even if you're completing them as part of a related degree, as long as you complete two before you are eligible to graduate (when you're enrolled in an award course).
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will the 10-year rule apply to stackable short courses?
Yes. Where you want to use the stackable short course as credit, the 10-year rule will apply. Your application will be assessed if your qualifications were completed within the last 10 years. The rule exists to ensure learning and job skills maintain relevance.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will recognition of prior learning apply to courses that have 'university-wide' elective choice?
Yes. If there is non-specified credit then stackable short course credit can be used. Limits on elective space in a destination degree are outlined in specific degrees’ course rules within the University Handbook.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Are there any assessments?
Yes. Each stackable short course contains an assessment. The assessment may be completed during learning or submitted within 4 weeks of the final masterclass, or up to 24 weeks if you’re studying an on-demand stackable short course.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What are the assessments?
Assessments take the form of a presentation, written report or development task. Head to the course overview section to find out what you’ll be asked to submit.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Are the stackable short course masterclasses on weekends or during the week?
Masterclasses will be scheduled as a mix of weekend and weekday evenings. Details are provided in each stackable short course description. Some may run over 4 to 6 weeks, others may be an intensive single weekend offering. Please note that for on-demand courses you can log in anytime and finish within 20 to 26 weeks.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I have to attend all masterclass sessions and complete the assessment?
Yes. To be eligible for credit, you must achieve a Certificate of Completion. This means you will have to attend all sessions and pass the assessment for each masterclass. If there are special considerations that arise during your study, please speak with the course presenter or send an email to the stackable learning team.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What is the difference between masterclass and on-demand stackable short courses?
A masterclass is delivered live by an industry expert so you must attend on the specific dates to participate.
Whereas on-demand study mode means you can log in anytime and finish when you want within the allocated timeframe of 20 to 26 weeks. Optional online live sessions are provided on rotation approximately every 6 weeks.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Are masterclasses face-to-face or online?
All masterclasses are offered as online sessions. Full details are provided on each stackable short course masterclass page in the How you’ll learn section.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I need to purchase textbooks or any materials?
No. All materials are provided as part of the stackable short course.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I become a student of Deakin University?
You become a microcredential learner of Deakin University. You’ll be enrolled, receive a Student ID, and gain access to student systems and support during your study. As a part of the Deakin community, you’ll also be required to accept the Terms and Conditions of a microcredential learner.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Are any discounts available?
A 10 percent discount is available to Deakin Alumni and 20 percent for staff. We also offer discounts for group bookings; 10 percent for groups of three to nine students, 20 percent for 10–29 students, and 30 percent for groups of 30 or more. For full details, email stackablelearning@deakin.edu.au
For more information on future student services and courses:
What do I need to validate my eligibility for a discount?
If you register for an alumni or staff discount, you'll need to provide requested details to validate (check your ticket for more information). If your status cannot be validated within seven days, you’ll be removed from the course until you can validate or pay the outstanding amount.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Is Fee-HELP available?
No. You will need to make full payment upfront.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What is the refund policy?
For on-demand short courses you’ll have 7 days from purchase to apply for a refund. For masterclasses, let us know 30 days beforehand for a full refund. Cancellations within 30 days but at least 10 days from commencement will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations within 10 days of commencement will receive no refund. If we cancel, a full refund will be provided.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Are there specific entry requirements or prerequisites for international students?
No. However, you need to meet the recommended experience and English language requirements listed on the course page to ensure you can be successful.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What is the global standing of Deakin's stackable short courses?
In the digital badge, credit points are specified using the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Each microcredential is worth 3.75 points in the ECTS.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Contact us
Talk to us
We're here to help. Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one.
Chat online
Need more information right now? Chat with one of our expert study advisers online.
Ask a question
If you have a question about this course, submit your details and we'll be in touch.
Footnotes
*Subject to successful completion of the short course and meeting Deakin’s award course admission and selection requirements, including English language proficiency requirements.
Limits on elective space in a destination degree are outlined in specific degrees’ course rules within the Deakin University Handbook. Typically, a maximum of four stackable short courses can be used as credit (2 credit points) towards a masters; and two stackable short courses can be used as credit (1 credit point) towards graduate certificates and diplomas.