Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership

Through the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership, graduates should be able to:

LO1. Relate expert knowledge of the range of professions working in the high performance sport industry, and the contribution an interdisciplinary team brings to the performance of the athlete.

LO2. Demonstrate capacity to work autonomously and ethically, in a way that is respectful of athletes’ dignity and diversity.

LO3. Apply knowledge of the leadership and culture required to promote performance as well as health and wellbeing in the high performance sports environment for both individual and organisational success.

LO4. Interpret the intersections between cultural factors shaping the high performance sport industry and professional behaviours, including with relevance to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples.

LO5. Maximise effective communication within collaborative, multidisciplinary and international and culturally diverse high performance sports settings.

The high performance sport industry is increasingly focused on developing employees and athletes with strong leadership skills and training in ethics and social responsibility. Proposed regulatory changes within the industry may make these skills a necessity.

This course is designed to address these industry demands by developing specialist knowledge and skills for leadership and communication in high performance sport settings. The course addresses its curriculum underpinned by dignity, self-worth and respect for others as a nuance to professionalism that makes such professionals more effective and more highly valued leaders.

The course targets experienced professionals in the High Performance Sport industry. Given these professionals are working, often in national and international contexts, the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport Leadership is designed to accommodate these commitments. Thus, the major design feature of the course is primarily online. The course is a pathway into ACU’s Master of High Performance Sport and Graduate Diploma in High Performance Sport.

Recommended study pattern

Students are required to follow the pattern of subject 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.

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 4 subjects from Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising of:

• 3 subjects from Specified Units; and
• 1 subject from Elective Units (to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator).

Specified Units:

• Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings
• Athlete Development and Strategies, Capabilities and Wellbeing
• The Business of High Performance Sport

Elective Units (select 1 from):

• Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport
• Contemporary Issues in Sports Science
• Project Design for High Performance Sport
• Performing Under Pressure
• International Experience in High Performance Sport - International Experience in High Performance Sport is delivered off-shore in intensive (attendance) mode.

*Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator

**Additional Elective units from the Master of Business Administration may be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Award requirements

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 4 subjects from Schedule of Unit Offerings comprising of:

• 3 subjects from Specified Units; and
• 1 subject from Elective Units (to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator).

Choose your subjects

Electives

Elective Units (select 1 from):

• Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport
• Contemporary Issues in Sports Science
• Project Design for High Performance Sport
• Performing Under Pressure
• International Experience in High Performance Sport - International Experience in High Performance Sport is delivered off-shore in intensive (attendance) mode.

*Elective units to be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator

**Additional Elective units from the Master of Business Administration may be selected in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

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Indicative total fee $11,176

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.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

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

• Have completed a relevant Bachelor degree (or higher), OR
• Have completed a Bachelor degree in a different discipline AND evidence of relevant industry experience; OR
• Submit a proposal alongside a formal application, demonstrating evidence of substantial relevant industry experience over a sustained period.

In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator and bound by decisions of the relevant School Committee.

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

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

An applicant who has not successfully completed a relevant Bachelor degree (or higher) may apply if they:

• have completed a Bachelor degree in a different discipline AND evidence of relevant industry experience;

OR

• submit a proposal alongside a formal application, demonstrating evidence of substantial relevant industry experience over a sustained period.

Academic IELTS with an overall score of 6.5: with minimum scores of 6.0 in all tests.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) 58:  with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills

Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic TOEFL Internet based total of 79: with a minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) Overall CAE of 176: with a 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 (20cp).