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Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action

Postgraduate coursework

Focusing on global emergencies and issues, understand the contexts of sustainable development and gain practical skills to apply in the field.

Key facts

Duration

1 year part-time

Locations

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2023 close 29 October 2023

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Natural disasters, poverty, injustice, conflict. All around the world, the environment in which development and humanitarian workers find themselves is more complex and diverse than ever.

This course – developed in association with Save the Children – builds a unique, global platform where development & humanitarian practitioners and academics can share knowledge and experience, with a focus on improving leadership, preparedness and response capacities to national and international emergencies and developmental issues.

Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action provides you with the analytical skills needed to understand the contexts of sustainable development and humanitarian programs as well as practical skills to apply in the field.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action
Year

2023 course information

Deakin code
A505
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 qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action, a student must successfully complete:

  • 4 credit points of study as listed below
  • Academic Integrity AAI018
  • Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Core Units

Each unit below is delivered via the FutureLearn platform and takes approximately 10-weeks to complete.

These units are broken down into easily-manageable two-week blocks, allowing you the freedom to fit learning around your work, family and lifestyle.

  • Introduction to International and Community Development
  • The Humanitarian World
  • Humanitarian - Development Nexus
  • Sustainability and Development
  • 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
    This course requires students to undertake studies throughout the Trimester 3 academic period.

    Note for international students: This course is 100% online and international students enrolled in the course will not be eligible for an international student visa.

    Additional course information

    Course duration - additional information

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

    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.

    Try this course for free

    Interested in a free taster of this course?

    A 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!

    Choose from three free course trials on FutureLearn:

    Need help?

    Ask a question about studying at Deakin

    Contact us

    Entry requirements

    Entry information

    Entry will be based on performance in:

    • a Bachelor degree in any discipline OR
    • at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time 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 with 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 with Deakin.

    You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning page which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Applications for credit transfer will be considered depending on the quality and subject matter of the student’s prior qualifications and professional experience.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

    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 $48,361.

    Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2023 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 Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Action (4 credit points), based on the 2023 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.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    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.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply direct to Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    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

    The Graduate Certificate in Development and Humanitarian Action is part of a suite of fully articulated courses. This means that once you successfully complete this course, you can progress straight into the:

    Or…

    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.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    Students completing this course will be able to work in the development and humanitarian sector. This includes working for both international based non-governmental organisations as well as local community based organisations, national and provincial government departments, donors and multi-lateral organisations.

    For more information go to DeakinTALENT

    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

    Acquire advanced and integrated understanding of sustainable development and humanitarian action and expert cognitive skills in the synthesis, and application of theory and practice in sustainable development and humanitarian action within diverse disciplinary contexts and worldviews.

    Communication

    Apply oral, written and interpersonal communication to plan, inform, and debate complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improved social, environmental and economic outcomes to a wide range of audiences, and contexts.

    Digital literacy

    Demonstrate the ability to research, analyse, report and communicate complex information via the employment of a range of sector- specialised and generic technological modes to a wide variety of audiences including sustainable development, humanitarian, professional and scholarly communities.

    Critical thinking

    Investigate, critically analyse, synthesise and report on issues facing contemporary sustainable development and humanitarian scenarios in light of established concepts and practice and design and develop interventions, solutions and strategies to address them. 

    Problem solving

    Demonstrate initiative, creativity and intellectual rigor in researching, identifying, planning, implementing, managing people and processes and evaluating proposed innovative responses to complex situations and problems encountered in a range of development and humanitarian emergencies, locally and globally.

    Self-management

    Plan, organise and perform as an independent and reflective practitioner in the field as well as in the sector generally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development, scholarly research and professional contribution.

    Global citizenship

    Question, engage, provoke and innovate to ensure social justice, reduce poverty, promote environmental sustainability, and increase equality in personal and professional capacity to ensure environments conducive to achieving creative and fulfilling lives.

    Approved by Faculty Board June 2019