#13 worldwide for education
Program designed with education sector experts
Upskill your education practice for all learners
Why choose Deakin
Guided by social justice and practice architecture theory, Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education) teaches you the skills to create safe, trusting learning environments for all students, including those impacted by trauma. Educators are often the first responders to children who have experienced trauma, and with the relevant knowledge and skills, you can play a critical role in fostering safe and supportive learning environments.
Develop a deep understanding of the events, experiences and impacts of trauma, and learn to respond effectively to the specific needs and conditions of trauma-impacted children and adolescents. Combine theoretical insights with practical strategies to design and deliver trauma-responsive care and learning experiences. You will demonstrate your learning through the critical appraisal of policies, practices and scholarly sources, with a focus on classroom application.
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Top-ranked for education
Study at a university ranked #3 in Australia and #13 globally for education and educational research.
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Research with real impact
Learn from academics improving education in Australia and internationally, ensuring your postgraduate study remains current and evidence-led.
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Flexible postgraduate study
This graduate certificate is online and part time, so you can build trauma-responsive expertise while you keep working.
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Applied trauma-responsive practice
Assessments focus on real contexts, building skills you can apply in schools, early childhood and community settings.
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
Build specialist trauma-responsive expertise to strengthen your work with children and adolescents across schools, early childhood, refugee resettlement and social services.
Education officer
Develop and deliver learning programs, resources and workshops for schools, communities or public audiences and contribute to making education more inclusive.
- $95k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 3,852
Jobs advertised
Youth worker
Youth workers support young people facing welfare, behavioural, developmental, social and protection issues. They offer practical and emotional support and work with individuals or groups.
- $85k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Professional areas you may work in
- Community services
- Humanitarian education
- Learning support
- School wellbeing and support
- Youth services
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
Related courses
*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 Education (Trauma-Responsive Education)?
Develop the skills and understanding required to create safe and trusting learning environments for all students, including those impacted by trauma.
Build specialist practice
Understand trauma in context
Examine the causes, experiences and effects of trauma for children and adolescents, including how violence, neglect and displacement can shape participation in education.
Link trauma to learning
Explore how trauma can affect attention, relationships and achievement, and focus on practical adjustments that support engagement and belonging.
Apply inquiry to practice
Critically review policies, services and teaching approaches, then apply evidence in real settings – building judgement, communication and problem-solving skills.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education), you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. This course is available part-time only, with students typically studying one to two credit points each study period.
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
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
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 placements.
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.
Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period for each credit point undertaking required teaching, learning and assessment activities.
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 |
|---|
| Explain events, experiences, and effects of trauma in educational settings. |
| 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. |
| Locate, evaluate, and use digitally available resources on trauma-responsive pedagogical practices within Australia and internationally, and utilize digital technologies to communicate results. |
| Apply social justice perspectives to evaluate humanitarian policies and trauma-responsive services to produce knowledge that can inform practice. |
| 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. |
| Enact trauma-responsive and humanitarian educational practices to support culturally diverse students impacted by forced displacement and violence. |
Approved at Faculty Board October 2021
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Education (Trauma-Responsive Education)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- E512
- 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
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
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.