Key facts
Duration
1 to 1.5 years 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
Seeking to enhance your understanding of professional practice in leadership skills? The Graduate Certificate of Leadership provides you with valuable development opportunities and a taste of postgraduate study. Learn to recognise the capabilities displayed by pivotal leaders, through integration of theoretical investigation and professional practice within this specialist program.
Are you ready to build upon your professional leadership experience?
Effective leaders drive results while engaging others in the journey. Discover what it takes to lead an organisation through technology disruption, changing customer needs and challenging external environments. Develop relevant skills, contemporary knowledge and real experience, to ensure you graduate as a business leader of tomorrow.
Delivered on our premium online learning platform, this flexible program is designed for busy professionals who want to study and immediately apply the knowledge and skills obtained through the course, in their own workplace. The Professional Practice Credential Assessment complements this course, and allows you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience for assessment, to obtain a suite of credentials that recognise your professional expertise.
Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Leadership can provide a pathway into Deakin's Master of Leadership.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Leadership
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- M597
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under 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
The Graduate Certificate of Leadership requires successful completion 2 credit points of core units, completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity Module plus 2 Professional Practice credentials (1 credit point) and 2 stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) (1 credit point).
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Core unit
Core Professional Practice Credentials
Students must successfully complete the two Professional Practice credentials listed below.
Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. All professional practice credentials are linked to the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes and will be assessed within the context of the leadership discipline. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously and are assessed by an assessment panel that includes both academic and industry representatives. Please refer to the table below for the list of credentials.
| Graduate Certificate Credential Requirements | ||
| Core credentials | Minimum Level^ | Currency* |
| CRADC-G1 Adaptive Mindsets (Advanced) | Advanced | 5 years |
| CRDSR-G1 Driving strategic results (Advanced) | Advanced | 5 years |
*Applicants who have not satisfied the level requirement, or who have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe may be permitted to seek re-credentialling.
^There are five levels of Professional Practice credentials, and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Advanced level is aligned to the Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma level.
Stackable short courses
Students must successfully complete two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) from the list below.
| Graduate Certificate stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredential) | |
| DMC710-OD Crisis Leadership | 0.5 credit point |
| MMC705-OD Innovation and Leadership | 0.5 credit point |
| MMC704-OD Innovation and Organisational Change | 0.5 credit point |
| MMC715-SY Sustainable Leadership to 2030 | 0.5 credit point |
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 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online.
Additional course information
Course duration
Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in eight months by completing all units in two consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study.
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
Successful students typically spend about 150 hours in learning and assessment for each one credit point unit. The time required to prepare evidence for credential assessment varies based on the student’s existing documentation.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
To complete the Professional Practice Credentials, students will be required to draw on their current and past leadership experience.
Try this course for free
Interested in a free taster of this course?
The first two-week block of this course is available free on FutureLearn, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Try it out and discover just how flexible and rewarding online learning with Deakin can be. You’ve got nothing to lose!
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 in any discipline and two years relevant experience*
- three years of relevant work experience*
*Work experience must be in a managerial or professional role with evidence of leading teams, including either direct or indirect reports as a supervisor or manager, and operational implementation of strategy.
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)
Non-academic requirements
You must provide the following with your application:
- a current CV that clearly demonstrates professional / managerial experience
- current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning your work experience
- a one page brief outlining why you believe that your work experience would be valued by your peers in the course
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated fee rate: The estimated fee rate is currently unavailable.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above.
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 your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
This course includes a combination of tuition fees for two credit points of study and four Professional Practice Credentials.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Professional Practice degrees are designed for those who wish to be credentialed for outcomes towards which they have already made significant progress through their extensive experience in a relevant professional field.
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.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
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Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $* is the estimated full cost for a Graduate Certificate of Leadership (2 credit points), based on the 2024 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*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
Your time is important, so we provide one-on-one support to make your application and enrolment process as smooth as possible.
Step 1: Give us a call
Chat to one of our enrolment advisers before you begin the application process. They’ll provide advice on whether the course is suitable for you. If you decide to apply, they’ll guide you through the process.
Call an enrolment adviser on 1300 043 524 or request a call back
We're available (AEST):
Monday-Thursday: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Step 2: Gather your documents
Your enrolment adviser will tell you which documents you’ll need to complete your application. This usually includes transcripts and certificates verifying previous studies, as well as evidence of five years’ managerial experience.
Step 3: Apply online
After speaking with your enrolment adviser and gathering your documents, you’re ready to start your application.
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.
Entry pathways
Completion of a Graduate Certificate of Leadership is an alternative entry option for students wishing to attain a Master of Leadership but who have not completed a Bachelor Degree.
Contact information
Chat to one of our enrolment advisers on 1300 043 524 or request a call back before you begin the application process. They’ll provide advice on whether the course is suitable for you. If you decide to apply, they’ll guide you through the process.
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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Possess an integrated understanding and superior ability to apply contemporary leadership theory and practices |
| Communication | Use advanced communication tools, techniques and media to engage and inspire others |
| Digital Literacy | Discover, analyse, synthesise and disseminate complex information, data and ideas to stakeholders, strategic partners and professional colleagues using a range of digital technologies and channel |
| Critical thinking | Systematically and critically analyse and test leadership styles, models and theories to optimise leadership impact within a specific cultural and operational context to drive strategy |
| Problem Solving | Apply problem-solving skills to analyse contemporary leadership related issues within organisations and provide solutions to these challenges |
| Self-management | Demonstrate an understanding of your own approach to leadership and the nature of your impact on others |
| Teamwork | Work across a range of professions, functions, contexts or teams to optimise collaborative outcomes, to improve strategic outcomes |
| Global Citizenship | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award |