Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy
Deakin course code	A602
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Campus	This course is available as an exit only option from A702 Master of Politics and Policy
Online	No
Duration	1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
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

The Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy emphasises a dual focus on politics and public policy and offers a wide range of core units and elective units to appeal to public sector, business, NGO and community sector managers and leaders, and those wishing to acquire new skills.

Core units explore public policy analysis frameworks, the development and implementation of public policy under conditions of democratic governance, governance and accountability, skills building in evaluation, intergovernmental relations and accountability, and corporate social responsibility. You will undertake practical training focused on the relations between government, the private sector and community organisations, and between different levels of government.

Units in the course are designed to give you a solid background in politics and policy while also building your skills so that you are a well-trained, highly competent and confident graduate. The focus on democratic governance within contemporary contexts characterised by rapid change and globalisation distinguishes this course from traditional public policy studies.

Career opportunities

The courses are designed as professional development programs for early or mid-career professionals or for those involved in or, seeking to become involved in, policy making and management within the public, community and business sectors, domestically and internationally.

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

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.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of digital communication technologies and platforms appropriately to conduct research, engage in debate, and communicate ideas and findings.
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.
Global citizenship	Engage ethically and productively in a professional political context in addressing complex real world problems which involve different political ‘jurisdictions’ and societies or cultural communities with different ‘world views’. Recognise the potential value of engaging with and drawing upon the experiences and insights of experts and non-experts globally in understanding and addressing diverse political and policy challenges.

Approved at Faculty Board July 2019

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Politics and Policy students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
2 credit points of core units
6 credit points of course electives

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.