Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy
Course Map	The course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Online	Yes
Duration	1 year part-time
Deakin course code	A502
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Discover how you can shape the future of public life through Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy. Combining contemporary theory with industry-relevant skills, this course will equip you with the foundation knowledge to understand the complex machinations of the contemporary democratic system and its most pressing challenges. You’ll also gain the professional skills required to develop, execute and evaluate policymaking across vital public sectors including education and employment.

Are you ready to build an impactful career helping to shape society through the dynamic realms of politics and policy?

Prepare for the challenges and excitement of transforming political ideas into beneficial public policy. In this industry-shaped course, you’ll learn from academics who are experts in their fields and have extensive professional networks in politics and policy. You’ll gain industry-relevant experience and practical skills by working on real-world projects, such as developing policy briefing papers or political communication strategies.

Through electives, you’ll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the complex and often competing array of accountabilities at force in governance, the distribution of power and authority between the tiers of the federal system of government, and the interplay of communication, politics and public opinion. You’ll also gain insights into current Australian public policy in key fields such as foreign policy, crime and urban design, and consider innovative ideas for changes of policy direction drawing on lessons from overseas.

With a dual understanding of the theoretical foundations of politics and the nuances of effective and ethical policymaking, you’ll graduate job ready with a range of industry-relevant skills and an applied understanding of politics in action.

This course is delivered via Deakin’s premium online platform, ensuring a collaborative, fully supported and flexible study environment, so you can get ahead with your career journey while also maintaining work, study and personal commitments.

Career opportunities

Graduate with the expertise and practical skills to confidently enter a role as policy officer, analyst, consultant or adviser in a variety of professional fields, including:

local, state and national government
political office
international relations
industry and the private sector
stakeholder engagement
communication and training

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Advanced knowledge of, and specialised cognitive skills involving Australia’s political system and governance that may be applied in professional practice and adapted to different contexts. Sound understanding of policy development, implementation and evaluation.
Communication	Ability to communicate effectively potentially complex knowledge and ideas involving political and policy issues to a variety of audiences, both specialist and non-specialist.
Critical thinking	Develop the skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas and proposals involving diverse institutions and actors, within and beyond the ‘formal’ political sphere.
Problem solving	Employ appropriate methods of research and analysis to investigate complex real world problems in a systematic manner and generate and evaluate potential responses to issues in such areas as: public policy; political institutions, processes and practices; democratic governance; citizen engagement; and, political communication.
Self-management	Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of politics and/or public policy.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with others from similar, but also at times quite different disciplines and backgrounds.
Approved by Faculty Board July 2019