Graduate Certificate of Leadership

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Leadership
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Length	1 to 1.5 years part-time
Fee rate	Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place The estimated tuition fees range from $11,840 to $12,995. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have. This course includes a combination of tuition fees for two credit points of study, two Professional Practice credentials and two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials). For further information regarding tuition fees visit our Current students fee estimator.
Level	Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Deakin course code	M597
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
*Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in eight months by completing all units in two consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online courses.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Seeking to enhance your understanding of professional practice in leadership skills? The Graduate Certificate of Leadership provides you with valuable development opportunities and a taste of postgraduate study. Learn to recognise the capabilities displayed by pivotal leaders, through integration of theoretical investigation and professional practice within this specialist program.

Are you ready to build upon your professional leadership experience?

Effective leaders drive results while engaging others in the journey. Discover what it takes to lead an organisation through technology disruption, changing customer needs and challenging external environments. Develop relevant skills, contemporary knowledge and real experience, to ensure you graduate as a business leader of tomorrow.

Delivered on our premium online learning platform, this flexible program is designed for busy professionals who want to study and immediately apply the knowledge and skills obtained through the course, in their own workplace. The Professional Practice Credential Assessment complements this course, and allows you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience for assessment, to obtain a suite of credentials that recognise your professional expertise.

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Leadership can provide a pathway into Deakin's Master of Leadership.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Possess an integrated understanding and superior ability to apply contemporary leadership theory and practices.
Communication	Use advanced communication tools, techniques and media to engage and inspire others.
Digital literacy	Discover, analyse, synthesise and disseminate complex information, data and ideas to stakeholders, strategic partners and professional colleagues using a range of digital technologies and channel.
Critical thinking	Systematically and critically analyse and test leadership styles, models and theories to optimise leadership impact within a specific cultural and operational context to drive strategy.
Problem solving	Apply problem-solving skills to analyse contemporary leadership related issues within organisations and provide solutions to these challenges.
Self-management	Demonstrate an understanding of your own approach to leadership and the nature of your impact on others.
Teamwork	Work across a range of professions, functions, contexts or teams to optimise collaborative outcomes, to improve strategic outcomes.
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Leadership you must pass the following:

2 core units
2 Professional Practice credentials
2 stackable short courses (microcredentials).

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Core units

MPL700

Leadership Practice with Impact

MBA700

Leadership and Professional Development

Core professional practice credentials

Students must successfully complete the two Professional Practice credentials listed below.

Successful attainment of Professional Practice credentials is based on evidence provided from professional practice, hence recognition through authentic learning experiences. All professional practice credentials are linked to the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes and will be assessed within the context of the leadership discipline. The credentials may be attempted separately or simultaneously and are assessed by an assessment panel that includes both academic and industry representatives. Please refer to the table below for the list of credentials.

Graduate Certificate Credential Requirements
Core credentials	*Minimum Level^**	Currency*
CRADC-G1 Adaptive Mindsets (Advanced)	Advanced	5 years
CRDSR-A1 Driving Strategic Results (Advanced)	Advanced	5 years

*Applicants who have not satisfied the level requirement, or who have successfully achieved the credential but not within the required timeframe may be permitted to seek re-credentialling.

^ There are five levels and these are aligned with recognised "exit points" from the education sector, the AQF, work levels and industry frameworks. Level 5 is aligned to the AQF Masters Level.

Course electives

Students must successfully complete two stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials) from the list below.

Graduate Certificate stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredential)

DMC710-AW Crisis Leadership

MMC705-AW Innovation and Leadership

MMC704-AW Innovation and Organisational Change

MMC715-AW Sustainable Leadership to 2030 (Masterclass not offered in 2026)

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and two years relevant experience*
three years of relevant work experience.

Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: a managerial or professional role with evidence of leading teams, including either direct or indirect reports as a supervisor or manager, and operational implementation of strategy.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Non-academic requirements

You must provide the following with your application:

a current CV that clearly demonstrates professional / managerial experience
current contact details of two referees who can be contacted concerning your work experience
a personal statement outlining your motivation for study and other information that you deem helpful for assessing your application

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

Pathways

Completion of a Graduate Certificate of Leadership is an alternative entry option for students wishing to attain a Master of Leadership but who have not completed a Bachelor Degree.

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Other course information

Students have the opportunity of fast-tracking the course in eight months by completing all units in two consecutive trimesters and all credentials within the first two trimesters of study.

Workload

You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

To complete the Professional Practice Credentials, students will be required to draw on their current and past leadership experience.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.