Graduate Certificate of Humanitarian Assistance

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 Humanitarian Assistance
Course Map	This 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.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	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

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. 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	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: