Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Deakin course code | A502 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2020 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Build the knowledge and practical skills to influence public life with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy. Studied online and part time, this course helps you understand how democratic systems work, how policy is shaped and how governments respond to complex social and economic challenges. This course has been designed by policy experts and taught by academics who bring deep expertise and strong professional networks across politics and policy. Our academics have networks in government, community organisations and UN agencies.
You will apply your learning through tasks such as policy briefs and political communication strategies drawn from authentic contexts. Electives give you flexibility to explore areas including accountability, federalism, public opinion and contemporary policy issues in Australia and overseas. By graduation, you will have a strong foundation in politics and ethical policymaking, ready to pursue roles such as policy officer, adviser or analyst.
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.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| 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. |
| Ability to communicate effectively potentially complex knowledge and ideas involving political and policy issues to a variety of audiences, both specialist and non-specialist. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Work and learn collaboratively with others from similar, but also at times quite different disciplines and backgrounds. |
Approved at Faculty Board July 2019
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Politics and Policy you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) to be completed in the first trimester of study
- 2 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| AIP704 | Making Policy |
| AIP783 | Rethinking Democracy |
Electives
| AIP740 | Comparative Policy |
| AIP748 | Multilevel Governance |
| AIP773 | Accountability, Integrity and Governance |
| AIP781 | Political Communication and Citizen Engagement |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Other learning experiences
There are options for WIL and study tours across many of the SHSS courses.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.