Graduate Certificate in Human Services

Within a flexible online learning environment you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to be an effective human services professional. Human service professionals are concerned with improving the social, economic, personal and communal well-being of people. They seek to promote social inclusion and achieve equity, social justice, interdependence and human rights of people who are adversely affected by social and economic factors.

You will explore contemporary issues and learn about the latest theory and practice that can be applied to a broad range of human service settings, including government and non-government welfare organisations and community groups. You will build upon your existing knowledge base for working with children, families, young people, older people, communities and human service organisations.

This program is informed by the latest research and will suit you if you are looking for specialist human services training or wish to expand your current scope of practice. You will study alongside people from a range of disciplines, which will help you to learn and understand how different professions can contribute to improving the quality of people's lives. It is anticipated that successful completion of the program will give you an edge in a competitive job market.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Human Services (GCertHumServ), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 20 credit points for core courses and
• gain 20 credit points from the listed elective courses.

Degree structure:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/graduate-certificate-in-human-services-3272#degree-details

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

Indicative total fee $11,250

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

Consideration for admission will be given to those candidates who have:

• completed a Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline

• OR completed a Certificate IV or Diploma VET/TAFE qualification in a related discipline AND a minimum of one year full-time professional experience in the disability, rehabilitation or related human services fields.

• OR completed a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in the disability, rehabilitation or related human services fields and can demonstrate the ability to undertake graduate study through a discussion with the Program Director and provision of curriculum vitae and an employers reference.

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 program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
• OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. For more information, please visit the following website:

• Credit transfer