Graduate Certificate in Education

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse, synthesize and evaluate educational contexts, concepts and theories to arrive at a conclusion, and justify that decision.
2. Apply knowledge of evaluation and research principles and methods to analyse issues and solve problems in educational contexts.
3. Demonstrate initiative by identifying innovative and creative responses to emerging educational challenges. Conceive preferable educational futures, and propose inventive ways to achieve them.
4. Critically evaluate the implications of challenging ethical issues in education at the interpersonal, organisational, and governance levels.
5. Demonstrate a commitment to social justice, human rights, ethics and sustainability in professional practice, scholarship, and research.
6. Demonstrate advanced and integrated theoretical and practical understanding of a specialised area of education with a global perspective. Locate, evaluate, and implement theory to generate reliable data, making defensible evidence-based professional and organisational decisions about complex educational problems.
7. Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning. Critically reflect on demonstrating professional discernment, autonomy, resilience, responsibility and accountability when responding to change.
8. Demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills in both academic and professional settings. Demonstrate responsive leadership and the capacity to facilitate collaboration between a diverse range of individuals and teams.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to education founded on respect for the rights or all persons. Critically reflect on how a global perspective of educational practice can encourage inclusivity and cultural competence.

There is growing demand for educators who have enhanced knowledge in specialist areas of education, as well as for skilled managers and leaders across the education sector. The Graduate Certificate in Education is a course for education professionals looking to progress their careers by moving into more senior roles.

The course focuses on leadership and contemporary educational contexts, leadership in professional learning and educational investigation.

This flexible course is designed to fit seamlessly around work, family, and other priorities. It’s 100 per cent online, and students can complete the seven-week units one at a time from the comfort of their home – or anywhere with an internet connection.

This course is also an ideal pathway to further postgraduate study in the Master of Education.

Recommended study pattern

To gain your Graduate Certificate in Education, you will study four core units:

• Contemporary Educational Leadership
• Contemporary Educational Contexts
• Leading Professional Learning
• Educational Investigation.

We also offer Graduate Certificates in Educational Wellbeing and Educational Inclusion and Diversity. By enquiring for the Graduate Certificate in Education, you can learn more about these specialised Graduate Certificates.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate of Education students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising 4 core units.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $11,012

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.

Learn more about SCU.

Explore SCU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

30

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

The minimum entry requirement for this course is:

• a four year Bachelor degree in Education from any Australian University, or equivalent, or
• an undergraduate degree and a fourth-year level teaching qualification from any Australian university, or equivalent, or
• a three year Bachelor degree in Teaching from any Australian University, or equivalent.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:

• Overall Score or equivalent: 7.5.

Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing.