Key facts
English language requirements
Overall IELTS score of 6.5, with 6.0 in all bands. More information is available at www.ielts.org
Duration
Trimester 1 commencing students: 1 year over 3 consecutive trimesters
Trimester 2 commencing students: 1 year over 2 consecutive trimesters
Trimester 3 commencing students: 1 year over 2 consecutive trimesters
Locations
Online
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning trains you to improve the strength, power and endurance of your athletes and have them in peak condition for competition. Upskill in key areas of sport science that allow you to solve more complex challenges. You will gain the expertise to develop customised strength and conditioning programs that are grounded in science and backed by evidence.
Want the career benefits of postgraduate study without having to commit to a longer degree?
The Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning is designed for busy professionals looking to progress their career in the sport science industry. You can study while you work and complete your degree online in one year part time. You’ll also benefit from two short intensives on campus.
Develop the complex knowledge and skills to solve multi-faceted challenges. Your athlete might need muscular hypertrophy to improve their performance in a contact sport; or they may need a long-term training program that sees their endurance peaking for a tournament two years from now. No matter their goal, you will be able to create a program that gives them their best shot at success. Become an expert in leading methods across a range of areas, including:
- strength and hypertrophy
- plyometrics, speed, and muscular power
- aerobic and anaerobic power
- periodisation and tapering methods
- high-intensity interval training
- recovery methods
- integrity, ethics and legal considerations
- communication with athletes and coaches
Complement these technical skills by boosting your management capabilities through studies in leadership, culture development and continuous improvement. These management skills don’t just make you more employable, they give you a recipe for team success and allow you to develop your support staff, as well as your athletes.
The curriculum is underpinned by science and research, some of which is produced by expert Deakin academics who research training methods to optimise their use – just one of the reasons why Deakin has been the number one sport science school in Australia for four years running*. You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate and apply research to make confident, evidence-based decisions in your role. Better still, you will have direct access to academics with expertise in a broad range of sport science fields. This includes specialist researchers within Deakin’s multidisciplinary Centre for Sport Research (CSR) and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). Draw on their professional experiences in your everyday work and leverage their industry connections to start forming your own.
The course is made up of four of the ten units from Deakin’s Master of Applied Sport Science.
After completing this course, you may wish to enhance your credentials further by articulating into the Master of Applied Sport Science.
* Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2020
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H513
- 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
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning students must attain 4 credit points comprising 4 one credit point core units. There are no elective units.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Please refer to the Course Map page for course map information.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
^ Intensive unit can be completed at either Deakin University, Australia or Universiti Sains Malaysia
* International students who complete their intensives at Universiti Sains Malaysia will complete the intensive requirements for HSE721 online.
International students who complete their intensive at Deakin University will complete the intensive requirements for HSE721 in person
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 are strongly encouraged to undertake HSE724 Strength and Conditioning Methods for Athletes in Trimester 3 to align the intensive components with HSE721 High Performance Management in Sport and HSE725 Factors Influencing Training Design for Sport. This means you can complete all the course’s intensive requirements within the intensive in Trimester 3.
International students who commence in Trimester 1 - you can either attend HSE724 Strength and Conditioning Methods for Athletes intensives in Trimester 1 and then attend the Trimester 3 intensive for HSE721 High Performance Management in Sport and HSE725 Factors Influencing Training Design for Sport OR defer the Trimester 1 intensives and complete them in Trimester 3, with the other 2 intensives for HSE721 High Performance Management in Sport and HSE725 Factors Influencing Training Design for Sport units.
International students who wish to attend the intensives at Deakin University,Australia or at Universiti Sains Malaysia, please refer to the visa information below.
Additional course information
IMPORTANT: Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin’s online courses. To participate in the mandatory campus based scheduled sessions, it is suggested that you apply for a Visitor Visa to study for a short period in Australia or Malaysian Single Entry Visa to study for a short period in Malaysia. Please be advised that Deakin University cannot guarantee that you will be granted a Visitor Visa by the Australian or Malaysian Government.
Read more about Visitor Visas on the Department of Home Affairs website and other options to study in Australia on the government website at https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/apply-to-study/visas.
Read more about a Malaysian Single Entry Visa on the Visa Malaysia website at https://www.visasmalaysia.com/. All places offered to international students in this course are only offered via online study mode. Deakin University is not obligated to provide any students with a COE (confirmation of enrolment) to facilitate a student visa application
All places offered to international students in this course are only offered via online study mode. Deakin University is not obligated to provide any students with a COE (confirmation of enrolment) to facilitate a student visa application.
This program requires international students to attend one compulsory on-campus intensive to be held at a Deakin University campus in Trimester 3. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they understand the visa options available to them to allow them to be in Australia to complete these intensive requirements. International Students are required to obtain a Visitor Visa to be able to undertake this compulsory intensive class. International students will not be able to apply for a student visa for this course.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Workload
As a student in an online course with on campus intensives in some units in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend at least 11-13 hours per unit every week participating in a range of teaching activities. This could include classes, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. Teaching, placements and assessment tasks may take place outside of Deakin University teaching periods.
Participation requirements
HSE721, HSE724 and HSE725 require on campus attendance.
International students can choose to attend HSE721 intensive via on campus or online (video conferencing). We would recommend international students attend the HSE721 intensive on campus alongside the HSE725 intensive.
Entry requirements
Entry information
The minimum entry requirements for this course are:
- Bachelor Degree or higher
OR - Two years relevant work experience
OR - Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year in which 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. 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 tuition fees.
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 can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Careers
Career outcomes
The course prepares you for career growth in the industry. Graduate with a sought-after combination of sport science and managerial skills that set you up for success in roles such as:
- high performance manager
- strength and conditioning coach (sports clubs, performance training centres, sports and private schools)
If you are looking to pursue further study, you may wish to articulate into the Master of Applied Sport Science after completing this course.
Professional recognition
We are recognised as an industry provider for the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Applied Sport Science or Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning, you will meet the theoretical and practical skills gained through HSE724 Strength and Conditioning for High Performing Athletes and HSE725 Advanced Training Design for Sport for Level 2 ASCA accreditation. You would be required to provide ASCA with evidence of an article of publication standard for the Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning (JASC), and practical coaching experience, to meet the eligibility requirements for Level 2 accreditation.
For more details and to view the application form, visit ASCA.
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 | Apply advanced knowledge of selected aspects of sport science to sport performance related problems including some key principles and concepts |
| Communication | Select and use appropriate modes of communication to transmit evidence based sport science knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences with a view to inform, motivate and effect change at the individual and organisational level. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital technologies to locate and disseminate information, ideas and resources related to sport science to specialist and non- specialist audiences |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse complex theoretical and technical information related to a specialised sport science context. |
| Problem solving | Apply advanced cognitive and technical skills to autonomously analyse, generate and transmit solutions to complex sport science problems in a specialised sport science context. |
| Self-management | Employ high-level personal responsibility, accountability and autonomy to demonstrate expert judgement and adaptability to familiar and emerging challenges confronting sport scientists. |
| Teamwork | Contribute to an interdisciplinary team and establish constructive relationships, with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes and to advance sport science in a specialised sport science context. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in professional and ethical practice that demonstrates personal autonomy, awareness of, and adaptability to, diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts in sport sciences. |
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