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Create safe learning environments for all students
Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time
Locations
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2024 close 18 February 2024
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Childhood trauma is a prevalent problem. In Australia, four out of ten students have been exposed to traumatic events. Young people who face traumatic events when they are still developing emotionally and mentally may suffer lasting damage. Children and adolescents with adverse experiences such as abuse, violence, displacement, and neglect can find it difficult to make friends, concentrate in classrooms, and respond to fast-paced changes. Left unaddressed, trauma may push children to social disengagement and school failure.
Guided by social justice and practice architecture theory, the Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education) (TRE) provides participants with the skills and understandings necessary to create safe and trusting learning environments for all students, including those impacted by trauma. Educators are often the first responders to children with traumatic experiences and, with the relevant knowledge and skills, they can play critical roles in creating a safe and supportive learning environment. With deep understandings of events, experiences, and effects of trauma, educators will respond effectively to the specific needs and conditions of trauma-impacted children and adolescents. This course offers theoretical insights and practical strategies that enable participants to design and enact trauma-responsive care and learning experiences.
The course consists of four units:
- Trauma and Trauma-Responsive Practices. This unit Offers multidisciplinary accounts events, experiences, and effects of trauma; and presents strategies for recognising and responding to needs and conditions of traumatised children as well as individuals exposed to secondary trauma.
- Trauma and Learning. This unit focuses on how traumatic experiences of violence, displacement, neglect, and abuse affect the learning experiences and attainment of children.
- Refugee Trauma and Education. This unit closely examines the effects of forced displacement and its implications for educational provisions and engagement.
- Trauma Responsive Educational Practice Inquiry. This unit prepares participants to investigate what trauma-responsive practices look like, what assumptions and values underpin the practices, and what needs to change and why.
In each of these units, the assessment tasks are designed for participants to demonstrate their learning through critical appraisal of policies, practices, and scholarly sources, with a focus on application to real-world contexts.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education)
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- E512
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
The course is approved by the University pursuant to the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education), students must attain 4 credit points.
The course comprises a total of 4 credit points including:
- 4 credit points of core units (ETR701, ETR702, ETR703, ETR704)
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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.
Trimester 2 (part-time only) - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 1 (part-time only) - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Additional course information
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
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.
Workload
Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.
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.
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
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 course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
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
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
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.
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.
Recognition of prior learning may be granted to applicants based on prior studies and/or equivalent industry experience.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
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. A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are available for this course.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year as 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.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by four credit points of study for Graduate Certificates. 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.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $51,550.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2024 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
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 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 are open. Create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, start your application, enter personal details, 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.
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.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
This Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education) is intended for educators, carers, humanitarian professionals who work in educational settings. The course equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for meaningfully supporting trauma-impacted children and adolescents. Graduates will be able to put their expertise into practice in a range of contexts, including schools, early childhood education and care centres, refugee resettlement settings, and other social services.
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 | Explain events, experiences, and effects of trauma in educational settings. |
| Communication | Use a range of strategies to explore causes and consequences of traumatic experiences of children and adolescents and share findings with peers, educators, and work colleagues. |
| Digital literacy | Locate, evaluate, and use digitally available resources on trauma-responsive pedagogical practices within Australia and internationally, and utilize digital technologies to communicate results. |
| Critical thinking | Apply social justice perspectives to evaluate humanitarian policies and trauma-responsive services to produce knowledge that can inform practice. |
| Problem solving | Develop trauma-responsive teaching strategies that enhance educational engagement and outcomes for students impacted by trauma, including those from refugee backgrounds, and demonstrate capacity to design and enact humanitarian pedagogy that supports refugee students with trauma history. |
| Global citizenship | Enact trauma-responsive and humanitarian educational practices to support culturally diverse students impacted by forced displacement and violence. |
| Approved by Faculty Board October 2021 | |
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Footnotes
* U.S. News & World Report, Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2022–2023