Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Deakin course code | A567 |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Addressing the complex humanitarian aid challenges of the 21st century demands a new type of thinking. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance will introduce you to the tools, techniques and theories current workers are using to revolutionise the sector. Your knowledge will equip you with the skills to play a vital part, whether it be on the frontlines or in improving our systems of aid.
Ready to make a valuable difference to, and in, the humanitarian aid sector?
The Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance is delivered by Deakin from the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, a collaborative venture between Deakin and Save the Children that combines good humanitarian practice with academic rigour and seeks to address the power balance that can be created and perpetuated by even well-meaning aid.
The course has a dual focus on equipping you with the skills to make a difference, and the critical knowledge to improve the sector.
In core units, you’ll explore the role and purpose of humanitarian aid and its current challenges.
Course elective units give you the opportunity to dive deeper into specialised functions, such as humanitarian aid financing and project management.
Deakin’s humanitarian assistance courses are among the first in the Asia-Pacific region – meaning when you study with us, you’ll benefit from our long history of sector engagement.
Through networking opportunities embedded in the course, you can also capitalise on Deakin’s strong partnerships with international non-government organisations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, other locally based NGOs, government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other relevant stakeholders.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities for humanitarian assistance graduates exist in government and non-government agencies concerned with the provision of all aspects of emergency and humanitarian responses, including service provision, logistical support, communications, program management and support, community engagement and support, funding, coordination, monitoring and evaluation.
Employment in the humanitarian field is also expanding, including in related areas, such as teaching, training, organisation and community capacity building, disaster risk reduction assessment and programming, consulting enterprises, journalism and communications, project management and community development.
Some of the roles you might obtain as a graduate of this course include: project administration assistant, research officer, or logistical support officer.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
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 and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply specialised knowledge of the historical development of humanitarianism and relate this knowledge to the humanitarian contexts, through analysing current and future sector-wide trends and applying learning, sector standards and strategies to a range of complex national and international situations. |
| Communication | Communicate the theories and practices of humanitarian action and influence and engage a diverse variety of stakeholders to effect change. |
| Digital literacy | Select and apply communication technologies to conduct and critically analyse research, communicate findings and other information and build relationships to engage a diverse group of stakeholders. |
| Critical thinking | Review and critically analyse current local and political aid environments, synthesise knowledge from a variety of stakeholders and critically reflect on current and future humanitarian trends to propose solutions and prioritise actions. |
| Problem solving | Use creative and critical thinking and high level professional judgement to identify resources, to engage stakeholders, and to plan and evaluate a range of solutions and responses to complex humanitarian problems. |
| Self-management | Engage in critical self-reflection through independent learning, commitment to continuing professional development and through receiving feedback. |
| Teamwork | Not explicitly assessed |
| Global citizenship | Apply humanitarian principles and values, and actively engage in humanitarian operations across a variety of contexts taking into consideration cultural, social, political, economic, environmental and ethical issues. |
| Approved by Faculty Board October 2018 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance, a student must successfully complete 4 credit points of study comprising:
- 2 credit points of core units
- Any 2 credit points from Course Electives List
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Core Units plus Course Electives
| AHL701 | The Humanitarian World |
| AHA716 | Humanitarian Settlement (*) |
* Note this is a campus based unit, for cloud based delivery (FutureLearn) ADH716 is available as an alternate unit. FutureLearn is an online learning platform. Learn more about studying through FutureLearn.
And
2 credit points of course electives from the following list:
| AHA723 | Fundamentals of Humanitarian Management |
| ADH703 | Evidence and Decision Making in Humanitarian Action |
| AHA725 | Project and Financial Management in Humanitarian Contexts |
| AIR726 | Human Rights in World Politics |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
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.