Skip to Content

Future Students - Courses

click here for a printable version of this page  

Graduate Certificate in Career Development 

N0718     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Online Postgraduate 6 months full-time or 1 year part-time Online (Semester 1, Semester 2)

This online program is new for 2009 and available to domestic and international students. Please note that international students must study in their home country.
 
The Graduate Certificate in Career Development forms the first stage of a nested suite of studies designed to meet the need for nationally recognised and endorsed ‘professional standards’ for the career profession, specified by the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and now required to join the Professional Association of Career Counsellors. Graduates will be competent in all aspects of careers management and able to work within a variety of professional settings.

Go to top

The main aim of the program is to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be professional careers managers in their chosen area of specialty. Graduates will be prepared for immediate professional employment or further studies at postgraduate level. The curriculum has been structured so that students will study and address the professional and ethical standards as required by their relevant career association and:
  • gain the necessary theory, counselling and client management skills from completion of the Graduate Certificate in Career Development
  • consolidate this knowledge and skill and specialise within an area of professional interest by choosing a study stream within the Graduate Diploma in Career Development
     
Students who complete the program will have:
  • a thorough knowledge of the career decision-making process, theories of career choice and development, characteristics of the current world of work, client management techniques, discriminating use of instruments and the needs of special populations – employees, the unemployed, those in transition, third age clients
  • knowledge of major sources of career, occupational and educational information available through the internet. Students will have acquired search, analysis, data collation and information discrimination skills and experience at interacting via cyberspace
  • knowledge of major print, electronic and global community resources relevant to the career support of clients and employees
  • an in-depth knowledge and experience (through the project) about a particular aspect of career development and client helping that is of interest to the student
Students will:
  • identify social, economic and cultural trends affecting an individual’s career decision-making context
  • learn how to coach others in personal career management and career resiliency skills
  • identify learning styles and honour differences in ways clients process information and formulate personal decisions
  • acquire expertise in keeping up-to-date regarding nature of change in the workplace and career roles
  • analyse the purpose, activities and outcomes of comprehensive career support programs within employment, case management, consultancy and private practice settings

Go to top

For the graduate certificate, students are required to successfully complete a total of four units from the prescribed program, totalling to 50 credit points. All units are valued at 12.5 credit points.
 
Students will normally be enrolled in the Recommended Study Sequence. However, it will be possible for students to choose units of study within each level in any order, subject to prerequisite studies being met.
 
Recommended Study Sequence
 
This online program is available to local students and international students studying in their home country.

Go to top

Go to top

Graduates from these programs will be able to work in the area of careers management in schools, private practice and in organisations.

Go to top

This course has been designed to adhere to the Australian Professional Standards for the training of Careers Counsellors, to be introduced by 2012.

Go to top

Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:
  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • adaptable and able to manage change
  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. sociocultural, economic, natural)

Go to top

Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in appropriate discipline with some relevant work experience.

Go to top

Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted 'credit' and/or entry to the course with 'advanced standing'. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide' at: http://pandoraplus.swin.edu.au/credit/

Go to top

Applicants will be considered on their individual merits. University policies will apply, in accordance with the guidelines at the university’s Policies & Procedures Database: Recognition of Prior Learning - Higher Education Sector:

Go to top

The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.

For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees

Go to top

Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/

Go to top

Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)

Go to top