Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development

2023 Deakin University Handbook

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Year

2023 course information

Award granted Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development
Campus

This course is only offered Online

This course is an A765 Master of International and Community Development exit only option.

Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course codeA665
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

Get an understanding of the complex social, political, and economic issues facing our increasingly globalised world. Study international and community development at Deakin and get the skills you need to make a difference – both at home and abroad.

Deakin's International and Community Development program is one of the longest running within Australia, giving you the assurance of many years’ experience in teaching this highly-developed course.

This professional, cross-disciplinary course is suitable for graduates from all disciplines. Offered as a fully online program, it is aimed at current and aspiring development professionals keen to deepen their knowledge of the world’s development landscape.

The course examines the historical record of development, the socioeconomic and policy dimensions of development, and the foundation of sustainable development. You can specialise in either community development or international development, choosing from electives in areas such as poverty and health, gender and development, food security, microfinance and poverty reduction.

Good development promotes justice, reduces poverty, and builds environments for people to lead productive, creative and fulfilling lives. The course is designed to give you the specialised skills to help drive development projects in local and international communities, gaining expertise in all phases of project delivery including conceptualisation, project design, implementation, monitoring and assessment.

The Internship unit offers a chance to gain first-hand work experience in a region or employment sector closely associated with topics studied in the course. 

Career opportunities exist working in areas such as social justice, empowerment, poverty alleviation, and community development. These include non-government organisations (NGOs), government agencies, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and private sector consulting. You may seek opportunities in related areas including teaching, the travel industry, consulting enterprises, journalism, and government and non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, services, capital and personnel.

Career opportunities

Employment in the development field provides a wide range of opportunities, both internationally and domestically. Graduates may find employment across the variety of organisations who work for social justice, empowerment, poverty alleviation, and community development. These include civil society organisations such as Non Government Organisations, Government agencies, bilateral, and multilateral agencies, as well as the private sector consulting. There is also potential work opportunities in related areas including teaching, the travel industry, consulting enterprises, journalism, and government and non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, services, capital and personnel. Students wishing to pursue a career in further research can take the research pathway.

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. Refer to the relevant unit guide

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

Research, critically examine and apply advanced and critical understanding of the theory and practice of international and community development and the contribution of diverse disciplinary worldviews. 

Communication

Apply advanced oral, written and interpersonal communication to plan, inform, and debate, complex multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral issues for improved social, environmental and economic outcomes to a range of audiences and contexts

Digital literacy

Apply advanced knowledge of digital information sources and applications to source, analyse and report on complex data and information for effective research and professional development, across interpersonal, organisational and professional cultures.

Critical thinking

Investigate, critically analyse, report and propose actions to act on a range of global and local issues and opportunities in historical and contemporary development discourse.

Problem solving

Research, comprehend, interpret and evaluate competing options for solving complex or “wicked” problems with creativity, innovation and respect.

Self-management

Work as an autonomous responsible, respectful, accountable and self-reflective practitioner, committed to ongoing learning and professional development in diverse international and community development contexts.

Teamwork

Contribute to effective collaboration and achievement of mutually agreed upon team outcomes through active, engaged, respectful and self-reflective participation in research and practice, across local and global cultures and disciplines, including multidisciplinary contexts.

Global citizenship

Question, examine and engage in a range of social justice, environmental and development issues taking into consideration cross-cultural, indigenous, local and global contexts

Approved by Faculty Board 2018

Course rules

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development (ICD), a student must successfully complete AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit) and 8 cp of units

Course structure

Core

ADS701Introduction to International and Community Development

ADS715Cross Cultural Communication and Practice

Electives

Plus, ANY six electives from:

ADS704Community Development Theory and Practice A

ADS705Participatory and Community Development Practice

ADS711Non-Government Organisations and other Development Actors

ADS733The Economic Development Record

ADS734Political Development Record

ADS720Arts and Sports-based Approaches to Community Development

ADS722Private Sector Development: Corporations, Social-Enterprise and Microfinance

ADS723The Development Project Cycle

APE701Internship Capstone (2 credit points)

ADH712Food Security

ADH714Gender and Development

ADH717Sustainability and Development

ADS721 Policy and Advocacy in Development Contexts [No longer available for enrolment] 

ADS753 International and Community Development Internship [No longer available for enrolment] 

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.


Other course information

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.

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.