Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2027 course information

Award granted Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education
Deakin course codeE506
Course credit points4
Course version2
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

Course information

For students who commenced from 2026 onwards

Campus

This course is only offered Online

Duration

1 year part-time

Course map - enrolment planning tool

The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

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

Take your teaching expertise and earning potential further with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education. Designed for current and aspiring TAFE and Vocational Education and Training (VET) educators, this course builds advanced knowledge and practical skills to design, teach and assess with confidence. 
 
You will explore authentic, inclusive learning, strengthen your classroom agency and examine how educational research can inform practice through an independent research project. The course includes 200 hours of supervised professional practice, including professional development activities.  
 
Delivered online with intakes in every trimester, the course offers flexibility around work and life. It also meets the Victorian TAFE Teaching Staff Agreement requirement for an AQF level 8 or above teaching qualification, supporting eligibility for higher classification and salary progression.

Career opportunities

Graduates of Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education will have advanced skills, knowledge and expertise to teach in TAFE and the Vocational Education and Training system, including the adult and community education sectors.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Participation requirements

Compulsory learning experiences 

A total of 200-hours of teaching practice, teacher observation and teacher professional development and professional activities, including:

•    50 hours of direct supervision, observed and evaluated by a qualified teacher or educator;
•    50 hours of observed teaching practice of other teacher practitioners;
•    50 hours of participation in activities such as attendance at teacher meetings, development of course materials, student interviews, industry liaison and consultation with external authorities and enterprises; and,
•    50 hours of other teaching–related activities may include further directly supervised teaching practice, teaching observations, or participation in other professional teaching activities.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Critically analyse and apply advanced and specialised knowledge of the principles of contemporary adult vocational education research, curriculum design, inclusive pedagogy and evidence-based assessment and their application for teaching and learning in adult, vocational and further education.
Employ expert oral and written communication skills required of adult, vocational education teaching and scholarship to be able to convey complex knowledge to a variety of audiences and work effectively in teams.
Apply a range of digital technologies and data sources to
create, search, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within the practice and scholarship of teaching of adult, vocational education.
Critically review, analyse and synthesise complex ideas and make informed judgements to improve teaching and learning
methodologies, pedagogies and practices in adult, vocational
education industries.
Apply advanced knowledge of theories of learning and teaching methodologies individual and collaboratively in teams to identify, evaluate and resolve problems of practice and challenges impacting on adult vocational education, including addressing implications for scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL).
Apply an evidence-based approach to critical self-reflection in relation to teaching and learning, and evidence of a commitment to ongoing, self-directed lifelong learning and professional development.
Analyse and apply ethical and professional standards in engaging with key challenges in teaching and learning globally, and within diverse socioeconomic, cultural and faith-based contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Approved at Faculty Board September 2019

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 Certificate of Adult, Vocational and Further Education you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
  • 4 credit points of core units.

Most units are equal to one credit point. Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Compulsory 0-credit point units

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Units

EDX701Research Design Development and Method

EDX707Independent Research Project for Professional Practice

EEE735Designing, Teaching and Assessment in Adult, Vocational and Further Education

EEE736Contextualising Learning and Teaching in Adult, Vocational, Tertiary and Further Education


Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

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.

Estimate your fees

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.

Contact Student Central