Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time
Locations
OnlineCourse overview
If you’re passionate about creating a more inclusive tomorrow, the Graduate Certificate of Education (Specialist Inclusive Education) is perfect for you. This specialist course will introduce you to the tools teachers use to make learning accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities, while bringing you up to speed on current industry challenges. Gain the knowledge and skills required to secure support roles in inclusive education, where you will help effect important and much-needed progress to make education across the sectors inclusive for all.
Change starts in the classroom. Are you ready to lead the charge?
This course responds to a growing demand for a more inclusive education system by providing those who work in education with the skills to foster more supportive and accessible environments. It focuses on building your capacities to support teaching and encourages you to reflect on each student’s unique strengths.
Key study areas include:
- engaging with and understanding what diversity and intersectionality means
- analysing the goals, purpose and challenges of a heterogenous classroom
- creating positive learning environments aligned with strong social justice principles.
You will also choose from a range of electives designed to complement your specialist knowledge and skills, such as in supporting gifted individuals, arts-based practices, or in education governance and policy.
Deakin maintains close links with the education sector – including the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) and Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) – to ensure our courses are developed and reviewed with industry and professional input. You’ll be taught by staff with experience in the sector who are recognised as leaders and innovators in their fields, so you can be confident that the skills and expertise you learn at Deakin reflect the cutting edge of industry practice and will be highly valued by employers.
In addition, the course is delivered entirely via Deakin’s premium online learning platform, meaning you can further your knowledge while you work, and simultaneously put your learning into practice by exploring a digitally accessible environment.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Education (Specialist Inclusive Education)
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- E568
- 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
Leader in online study
Join more than 78,000 online Deakin students who have successfully graduated from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Discover why we’re a leader in online university courses.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Education (Specialist Inclusive Education), you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 3 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point course elective
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note:
- This course is part-time only
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
ECP711 Creativity and the Arts [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit EMP700]
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.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR COURSE SATISFACTION
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.
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
- completion of an Australian teaching degree (bachelor or higher)
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: working in an educational setting (e.g., policy development, implementation and practice; social workers; early childhood education centres; schools; specialist settings; hospital settings), experience caring for and advocating for an individual with particular educational needs.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0) speaking and listening 7.5
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65) speaking and listening 73
English-speaking education:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a recognised English-speaking country or completion of DUELI English for Teaching program, with a WAM of 60
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn't have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you're able to commit to your study.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$13,500 - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
$2,369 - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Learn more about fees.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Tuition fees are determined by your enrolment:
- If you are offered a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated based on your course.
- If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose.
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. 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. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course. 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 fees and available payment options.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees. You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Pathways
Further study options
On completion of the Graduate Certificate of Specialist Inclusive Education, an entry pathway into the Master of Specialist Inclusive Education is available for students holding existing Australian teaching qualification.
Pathways from Graduate Certificate of Specialist Inclusive Education into other School of Education programs are also be available depending on the program’s entry prerequisites. For example, students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Specialist Inclusive Education but do not possess Australian teaching qualifications are able to pursue such qualification via entry into the Bachelor of Education or A Master of Teaching. Entry into the Master Teaching (Secondary) is dependent on students having a relevant undergraduate degree to meet the VIT Specialist guidelines to qualify with at least one curriculum area of teaching.
Career outcomes
Graduate with the skills to help foster inclusivity across a range of educational settings, including in roles such as a:
- disability inclusion facilitator
- educational assistant (integration aid)
- Koorie engagement support officer
- diverse learner hub coach
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
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 | Review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise inclusive education theoretical foundations and practices, and create and apply specialist pedagogies, curriculum and assessments across a range of educational contexts. |
| Communication | Critically evaluate and apply a range of accessible communication strategies that effectively supports inclusive partnerships between specialist and non-specialist stakeholders across a range of educational contexts. |
| Critical thinking | Understand the interrelationship between philosophies, theories and practices of inclusive education to inform strategies that advance equitable access and positive learning outcomes for students and complex learning partnerships. |
| Problem solving | Identify and apply professional and ethical judgement to implement inclusive solutions to complex teaching and learning problems across a range of learning partnerships. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate critically reflective practice and ongoing professional learning to support the development of inclusive communities of practice, cross-disciplinary dialogue and scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and contribute to learning partnerships and multidisciplinary teams across a range of diverse contexts to advance the inclusive learning and development of all learners. |
| Global citizenship | Review national and international inclusive education scholarship relating to legal, ethical and policy frameworks to support the inclusion of First Nations knowledge and perspectives and address issues of equity and social justice across diverse communities in a global context. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2023
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
