Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport

The degree is designed as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and the Master of High Performance Sport.

Examples of the types of work settings the course prepares graduates for:

• fitness advisor
• fitness coach
• football or other sport manager
• high performance manager
• performance analyst
• professional coach
• rehabilitation coach
• sports science manager
• sports scientist
• strength and conditioning coach
• team manager

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:

• hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline

OR

• hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience

OR

• submit a resume alongside a formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

Work and Life

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

applicants that do not hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline may apply if they:

• hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience.

OR

• submit a resume alongside a formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.

English Proficiency Requirements

Students must meet English Language requirements as follows:

• IELTS: Overall score 6.5, Individual score of 6.0 in all test
•  PTE: 58 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
•  TOEFL: Internet based total of 79: minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
•   ACU English Language Test: B (65-74%)
•   CAE: Overall CAE of 176, Minimum individual score of 169 in all tests

ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 2 subjects (or 20cp).

For further information see https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/credit-and-prior-learning. 

The high performance sport industry is a global, multi-billion dollar entity that provides employment opportunities for a range of professions, including sport scientists, coaches and managers.

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport aims to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance, within the context of a multidisciplinary environment and its culture and leadership structures, and to do so in an ethical manner characterised by a concern for respect, equity and social justice.

The course is designed to suit a postgraduate clientele that is already in the workforce, as well as graduating students. The course provides flexible learning pathways that can accommodate:

1. professional employment commitments;
2. national and international-based students;
3. full-time or part-time enrolments; and
4. a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport and Master of High Performance Sport degrees.

To meet these objectives, the primary design feature is that the majority of the course is delivered online.

A suite of coursework subjects focus on the preparation and performance of high performance athletes, including technological advances for athlete monitoring, advanced principles of strength and conditioning, and analysis of performance measures.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary foci built into the curriculum will bring together current and new knowledge from a range of professions within the industry. A foundation of analysis skills for interpreting performance data will be incorporated with direct application to high performance sporting contexts.

Recommended Study Pattern

Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.

For this course students are allowed to enrol in up to 4 subjects per study term. To enrol in more than 3 subjects please contact us.

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete a total of 4 subjects, comprising four of the Coursework Units below. These units are to be selected as stipulated in the Course Enrolment Guide and/or in consultation with the

Course Coordinator, and must include:

Strength and Conditioning for the High Performance Athlete

and

Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport.

Specified Unit Offerings include:

• Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation
• Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport

Elective units to be selected from:

• Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings
• Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance
• Sports Injury Prevention
• Performance Nutrition 

Award Requirements

Completion of 4 subjects from the Specified and Elective Units in the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport

Submission of Application to Course Complete form to ACU