Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Regional Development

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2024 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Regional Development
Deakin course code	S504
Faculty	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
Campus	For students who commenced prior to 2021
Duration	One year part-time
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
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.
The final intake to this course version was in 2020. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course and enrolment information. Further course structure information can be found in the Handbook archive.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Sustainable regional development is critical to the economic performance of both developed and developing countries. The Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Regional Development will suit students who are analytical, inquisitive, solution or policy-oriented and interested in seeking employment in areas associated with sustainable regional and rural development, strategic urban and regional planning, natural resources management, and climate change adaptation planning.

Two thirds of Australia’s export earnings come from regional industries such as agriculture, tourism, retail, services and manufacturing. As such, demand has risen sharply for professionals with the ability to undertake regional socioeconomic and environmental planning that looks to the long-term competitive advantages of regional areas and propose appropriate policy responses.

Indicative student workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week, with units requiring on average 150 hours of study per credit point. This could include classes, seminars, practicals, studios and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. In additional to scheduled activities, you will need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Career opportunities

This course will prepare students for a career in planning (strategic, economic, rural, environmental, statutory), management (including environmental management), policy development, socio-economic and demographic analysis among others. Potential employers include: government (national, state and local) departments and agencies with a focus on regional areas, economic development, agriculture, the environment or policy development; planning, economic and environmental firms; statutory authorities such as catchment management authorities; and any organisation seeking graduates with formal training in strategic thinking and planning.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Further Study

S604 Graduate Diploma of Sustainable Regional Development

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate mastery and specialist knowledge through the application of scientific research principles and methodologies in the investigation of recent developments within a chosen field of study. Plan and execute a substantial research project to demonstrate a deep understanding and mastery within that scientific field.
Communication	Present a reasoned argument that highlights essential details of scientific procedures, key observations, results and conclusions of scientific research in a professional manner using appropriate style, language and references including local, national, and international contributions or contexts.
Digital literacy	Use well-developed technical skills, judgement and responsibility to independently locate, analyse, evaluate the merits of, synthesise and disseminate scientific literature in the planning and implementation of research projects.
Critical thinking	Appraise complex scientific methodologies and information using critical, analytical and logical reasoning from multiple perspectives for evaluating the merits of scientific methodologies, theoretical propositions and practice.
Problem solving	Demonstrate complex problem solving skills by identifying and creating solutions to real world ill-defined problems through scientific inquiry.
Self-management	Work autonomously, responsibly and safely to solve unstructured problems and actively apply knowledge of regulatory frameworks and scientific methodologies to make informed choices.
Teamwork	Work independently and collaboratively with advice from the supervisor towards achieving the outcomes of a research project and thereby demonstrate interpersonal skills including the ability to brainstorm, negotiate, resolve conflicts, managing difficult and awkward conversations, provide constructive feedback and work in diverse professional, social and cultural contexts.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate scientific knowledge and skills with a high level of autonomy, judgement, responsibility and accountability to articulate the place and importance of scientific inquiry in the local and global context.

Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Regional Development, students must attain 4 credit points (1 year - part-time), which must include the following:

Four (4) core units (four credit points);
Completion of STP050 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core

Year 1 - Trimester 1

STP050 Academic Integrity (0 credit points) [No longer available for enrolment from 2024, alternate unit DAI001]

SLE740

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

SLE742

Systems and Strategic Thinking

Year 1 - Trimester 2

SLE741

Regional Development Economics and Planning

SLE743

Regional Development Modelling

Other course information

Course duration

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

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central