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Master of Commerce (Social Investment and Philanthropy) 

CMPS640     


Study Mode Study Level Duration Campus and Intake Show intake calendar
Part-time (day) Postgraduate Three years part-time Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2)

Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students




This program has been replaced by the Master of Social Investment and Philanthropy at Hawthorn from 2012. 

This program is designed for individuals involved in - or contemplating involvement in - personal giving (whether as donors, trustees or advisers). It is also aimed at those working within NGOs, government, business, not-for-profit, philanthropic and related private sector agencies that provide and manage grants and/or raise funds for the wellbeing of Australian citizens: generally called 'philanthropy' or 'social investment'. It provides graduates with policy and applied research skills, conceptual development and technical management and new technology skills.

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This program will develop appropriate conceptual, management and administrative skills, explore underlying issues of values and ethics confronting grant-makers and provide knowledge of and experience in analytical and practical skills. In particular, this course aims to integrate social, environmental, ethical and economic concerns with effective funds dispersal and management approaches. Its uniqueness is the integration of personal and organisational values and ethics, economics, sociological analyses and business management techniques in philanthropy and social investment.
Specific objectives are to:
  • Develop appropriate management skills
  • Explore underlying issues of values and ethics confronting grant-makers
  • Provide knowledge of, and experience in, analytical and practical skills and information about the key concepts

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This is a nested suite of programs. On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate students can undertake the Graduate Diploma of Commerce (Philanthropy and Social Investment). This requires a further four units of study. The masters requires a further four units of study. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points.

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Graduates will have the technical skills and wider community perspectives in grant-making, fund-raising, program design and corporate social investment that will enhance their skills as donors and/or equip them to work in the corporate, professional, public and community sectors.
Career paths include management, administration, trustee and program officer roles in private and corporate trusts and foundations, in public and community affairs, funds management, financial advising, sponsorship and marketing, and consulting.

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Applicants at the Master of Business (Philanthropy and Social Investment) level should comply with one of the following:
  • completion of a relevant degree or diploma and relevant post-education work experience 
  • successful completion of a Graduate Diploma of Business (Philanthropy and Social Investment)


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The indicative course tuition fee is $16,800 for 2011, based on one year full time load (or 1 EFTSL). The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $85,062 from 1 January 2010). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.

For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

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

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

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Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au
Submit an Online Enquiry

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