Key facts
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
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 #1 sport science school in the world 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 2021, 2022, 2023
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H513
- 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
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Strength and Conditioning, 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
- 4 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
^ These units have practical Intensive components. Please refer to ‘Participation requirements’ section for further information.
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
Intensives Information
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.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Other 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 Explore visa options (homeaffairs.gov.au).
Read more about a Malaysian Single Entry Visa on the Visa Malaysia website at Official Malaysia Visa (imi.gov.my).
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.
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 lectures, 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 intensives require on campus attendance. Intensives are typically delivered up to 5 days.
Domestic students must attend all intensives on-campus at Deakin University.
International students must attend HSE724 and HSE725 intensives either on campus at Deakin University, Australia or at Universiti Sains Malaysia. HSE721 intensives must be completed either via on campus at Deakin University, Australia or online (video conferencing). International students who wish to complete intensives in person please refer to the visa information under 'Additional course information' section.
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.
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
- 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) in each component of test
- 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 are 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 (RPL) 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 tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. 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. 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.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
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.
| Deakin 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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Alessia Del Tito has always loved sport. During her degree in sport science and sport management, she learnt about the power of performance analysis. Six months later, Alessia was working at the Australian Football League.