Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
1 year part-time*
Campuses
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
This course has been co-designed with the cemetery and crematoria industry to fill a gap in knowledge and professional skills of current management staff. Unique in Australia and worldwide, this course offers business management professionals the opportunity to enhance their critical awareness and ability to deal sensitively with a range of issues around interment and grief in a multi-faith/multi-cultural context, while balancing a wide array of competing demands around management of physical environment, regulations, and heritage/historical value of cemeteries and crematoria.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate of Cemetery Practice, a student must successfully complete 4 credit points of study comprising:
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point elective unit
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Core units
Key information
2021 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Cloud campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Cloud campus
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Cloud campus
*Course duration - additional information
The course is designed to be taken part-time (i.e. one credit point unit per trimester) over four consecutive trimesters, however students may complete the course in less time by taking more than one unit per trimester in year one.
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Additional course information
*Course duration - additional information
The course is designed to be taken part-time (i.e. one credit point unit per trimester) over four consecutive trimesters, however students may complete the course in less time by taking more than one unit per trimester in year one.
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Assessment methods
Assessment will take place at the unit level and has been designed to ensure successful attainment of all Course Learning Outcomes and corresponding Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes over the duration of the course. In particular, assessment of the core units focuses the application of skills and knowledge to produce work that reflects industry practices and standards.
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. Refer to the relevant unit guide.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Entry will be based on performance in:
- Bachelor Degree or higher; OR
- two years relevant work experience; OR
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
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 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
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which 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. 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 tuition fees.
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 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
The course has a highly practical focus, with multiple assessment tasks focused directly on building skills and strategies for enhancing the effective delivery of cemetery services. The course targets those already working in the cemetery and crematoria sector, who may come in with a background in business management, but require knowledge and skills in navigating complex religious and socio-cultural beliefs around interment and grieving, managing competing demands (such as heritage/history, environment and financial demands), and the ability to deal with grieving clients more sensitively.
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 complex knowledge of socio-cultural practices, bereavement and burial processes to sensitively provide appropriate cemetery services in a complex, multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts |
| Communication | Apply advanced communication skills to analyse, plan and implement appropriate cemetery services in complex, multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts |
| Digital literacy | Source relevant digital technologies to research, critically analyse, evaluate and communicate relevant information to diverse client groups |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse contextual beliefs and information relating to interment, bereavement, heritage and physical environmental needs to plan, prioritise and evaluate the effective and sensitive operation of cemeteries and crematoria |
| Problem solving | Critically analyse available information on a range of complex beliefs and practices around interment and bereavement to generate realistic, sensitive and culturally acceptable solutions |
| Self-management | Act autonomously and exercise responsibility and accountability through continued commitment to learning, reflective practice and professional development in diverse cemetery contexts |
| Teamwork | Collaborate with diverse team members to effectively plan, implement and manage cemetery operations that recognise and support cultural and religious sensitivities around death and grieving |
| Global citizenship | Implement cultural and religious competence in planning and developing equitable access to appropriate cemetery and crematorium services for a range of diverse client groups from different cultures |
| Approved by Faculty Board July 2019 | |