Graduate Diploma of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster |
| Deakin course code | A656 |
| Course credit points | 8 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | This course is available as an exit only from the Master of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster Studies |
| Campus | This course is an exit only option from A756 Master of Humanitrian, Development and Disaster Studies |
| 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
- 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
The Graduate Diploma of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster introduces you to community development, international development and humanitarian practice. You will explore the causes, impacts and responses to contemporary global crises, with a focus on practical, community-led action in complex and dynamic contexts.
Backed by Deakin’s 40+ years of expertise in international and community development, this one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) program is designed in consultation with industry and taught by experienced academics. You will examine disaster response, humanitarian relief and longer-term development challenges, and explore policy, programming and practice. You can tailor your study through core units and electives aligned to your interests, with flexible study options and opportunities to build practical experience and connect with industry. A guaranteed pathway to the Master of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster supports your continued study and career development.
Career opportunities
Potential career opportunities include entry positions, or career progression within:
- Government
- International and local Non-Government Organisations, and not-for-profits
- Community development agencies
- Emergency management agencies
- Private sector
- Social enterprise
- International organisations
- Activism
- Program managers
- Policy development
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 |
|---|
| Engage in disciplinary research to evaluate the major theoretical, conceptual and policy issues in development, humanitarian action, and disaster response / management, both locally and internationally, framed within the context of climate crisis. Apply knowledge in engagement with communities and community-led responses to the world’s crises, including, food insecurity, conflict and disasters, inequality and injustice, racism and exclusion. |
| Use oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to analyse and generate solutions to complex multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improving social, environmental, and economic outcomes including global justice, peace, sovereignty, community resilience, and transformations of power to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Source, evaluate and summarise complex data and information on contemporary issues in international and community development, global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action. Apply evidenced methods and technologies across professional, organisation and interpersonal contexts, utilising arrange of digital sources, to design, monitor and evaluate creative solutions to contemporary issues. |
| Conduct scholarly and practice-based review, analysis, and synthesis of relevant and representative information to make independent judgement on existing understandings and practice across local and global issues such as global justice, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian action and opportunities, and generate alternative options, in the context of historical and contemporary development and humanitarian discourse. |
| Apply skills in research, comprehension, interpretation and evaluation of theory, critique and proposed innovative responses to complex situations or “wicked” problems encountered in a range of community, development, humanitarian, and disaster contexts, with creativity, innovation, and respect. |
| Plan, organise and manage competing demands on time, to work mindfully in a personal and professional capacity, whilst committing to ongoing learning, and performing as an practitioner and learner, capable of operating effectively in the context of developing community-led solutions to the world’s crises. |
| Work collaboratively as an active, engaged, and reflective team member in considering solutions to the world’s problems by contributing to mutual goals, tasks and outcomes, demonstrating active and constructive participation and contributions to resolving impasses and conflict. |
| Question, engage, and provoke, on an interrelated range of social justice, environmental, development and humanitarian issues taking into consideration cross-cultural, indigenous, local and global knowledges, contexts, and perspectives that can inform the development of creative solutions for the world crises. |
Approved at Faculty Board 2023
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 Diploma of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster Studies you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Humanitarian, Development and Disaster Studies includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 2 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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
| ADS701 | Introduction to Humanitarianism, Development and Disasters |
| ADS715 | Cross Cultural Communication and Practice |
Electives
Select six (6) units from:
| ADH717 | Climate Change and Sustainability |
| ADS704 | Community from Participation to Activism |
| ADS705 | Participatory and Community Development Practice |
| ADS720 | Culture, Arts and Sports as Community Development |
| ADS723 | Monitoring and Evaluation |
| AHA716 | Refugees and Forced Migration |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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.