Step towards becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Longest-running degree of its kind in Australia
Australian Diabetes Educators Association-accredited pathway
Why choose diabetes education at Deakin
Take the first step towards becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education, the longest-running course of its kind in Australia. Designed for a range of health professionals, this course builds the specialist knowledge and skills to support people living with diabetes in diverse clinical settings.
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic conditions, affecting millions worldwide and more than 1.7 million Australians. This creates growing demand for health professionals who can deliver effective, evidence-based diabetes education and care.
You will explore the causes and progression of diabetes, along with its social and psychological impacts, and develop practical approaches to prevention and management through lifestyle, medication and education strategies. Accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, this course is the first step towards supervised practice and professional recognition as a diabetes educator.
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Nationally accredited pathway
Study an accredited degree and take the first step towards becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator.
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Built for health professionals
This program is designed for a wide range of clinicians, supporting diverse professional backgrounds and healthcare roles.
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Evidence-based diabetes care
Develop advanced knowledge in diabetes prevention, diagnosis and management using current clinical approaches and research-informed practice.
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Supported pathway to credentialling
After completing your degree, you can pursue professional credentialling with guidance on supervised practice, mentoring and clinical experience requirements.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Learn to apply specialist diabetes education knowledge in healthcare roles – supporting prevention, management and person-centred care.
Diabetes educator
Support people living with diabetes to understand, manage and monitor their condition through education and personalised care planning.
- 13.5%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $110K
Typical annual salary in Australia
Workplace settings
- Hospitals and health services
- Community health centres
- Primary care and general practice
- Allied health practices
- Aged care services
- Government and non-government organisations
FAQs
Yes. Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education is available to international health professionals who meet the course entry requirements. The course is delivered with significant online flexibility, making it accessible to practitioners based outside Australia.
The Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education covers the pathophysiology of diabetes, pharmacological management, nutrition and lifestyle intervention, behaviour change strategies, diabetes self-management education and care planning. Students also develop skills in culturally competent practice and supporting people from diverse backgrounds.
Beyond pursuing direct clinical practice through a Credentialled Diabetes Educator pathway, the graduate certificate supports roles in chronic disease management, health education, community health, aged care, clinical research and pharmaceutical industry education. The skills in behaviour change, health coaching and chronic disease management transfer broadly across other long-term condition management contexts, including cardiovascular disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
As a Deakin student, you'll have access to dedicated career support throughout your studies and after you graduate. Deakin offers one-on-one career coaching, resume and job application feedback, interview preparation, networking opportunities, employer events, career workshops and access to an exclusive jobs and internships board. You can also access guidance on career planning, work-integrated learning and building your professional skills to help you transition confidently into employment.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education?
The Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education develops your specialist knowledge in diabetes care while building the communication and education skills needed to support people living with this complex condition.
Specialist diabetes education practice
Understand diabetes and its diagnosis
Explore causes, progression and diagnostic measures. Learn to interpret clinical indicators, identify pre-diabetes and diabetes, and recognise short- and long-term complications.
Develop management strategies
Examine evidence-based approaches including lifestyle, medication and monitoring. Understand how treatment decisions are made and applied across diverse clinical settings.
Support education and behaviour change
Build communication skills to deliver tailored diabetes education, support self-management and address the emotional and social impacts of living with diabetes.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Each unit below is delivered online, allowing you the freedom to fit learning around your work, family and lifestyle. These units are broken down into easily-manageable weekly activities and takes approximately 10 weeks to complete in addition to assessment tasks.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) and is the first step on the path towards becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator.
What to expect while studying
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing clinical requirements.
Students undertaking clinical placement require a police check, working with children check and evidence of immunisations.
As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 10-15 hours every week studying for each unit in your course, undertaking various learning tasks, interacting with others and completing assessment tasks. An optional three day workshop is scheduled during Trimester 2 and is delivered on campus at Burwood (Melbourne).
The units of the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education are delivered online. A three day on-campus workshop is optional. Students seeking credentialling with the ADEA must complete a 40-hour clinical placement while enrolled in the course.
Australian students seeking ADEA credentialing must successfully complete a 40 hour clinical practicum (while enrolled in the course), organised by academic staff.
Placements are optional and subject to availability.
International students are advised to refer to the professional bodies in their home country and are not able to seek credentialing with the ADEA or undertake clinical placement in Australia.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
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| Apply diabetes-specific knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice to diverse clients, populations and clinical setting. |
| Communicate complex knowledge and ideas to clients and their families, health professionals, and the wider diabetes community, demonstrating understanding of person-centred care, empathy, appropriate language and methods to promote active engagement and empowerment. |
| Utilise and evaluate digital technologies to facilitate learning and teaching and support diabetes self-management. |
| Critically identify, analyse, evaluate and apply research knowledge and skills for all aspects of diabetes education and care. |
| Apply diabetes-specific knowledge and skills to adapt diabetes education and management plans to specific client needs and in varied contexts. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a learner and diabetes educator within their scope of practice. |
| Apply the principles of collaborative, interdisciplinary practice for working in partnership with health professionals and clients to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes. |
| Demonstrate understanding and respect for all cultures, diverse populations and perspectives and promote inclusivity and equity. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H520
- 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
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$14,400
AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the International students applications page.
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Application Portal, or by email. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Normal University regulation and guidelines pertain to students applying for Recognition of prior learning within this program. In all cases credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with maximum credit granted being consistent with university policy. Recognition of prior learning is not usually provided for HND701 The Pathophysiology of Diabetes, HND732 Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts or HND702 Management of Diabetes due to the specificity of the course content. Please obtain further clarification by contacting a Student Adviser in Student Central enquire.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs. Students may elect to apply and request credit transfer for their studies into a Graduate Diploma or Masters in their relevant professional areas, providing the entry criteria are met.