Graduate Certificate of Education Research
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Education Research |
| Deakin course code | E590 |
| Course Credit Points | 4 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2018 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1-1.5 years part-time |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Pathways
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Help to shape the future of innovation in education through Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Education Research. In this course you will deep-dive on an education topic of your choice and develop specialist knowledge that could help improve the education sector or your learning institution, while advancing your career.
Are you ready to develop specialist knowledge that will advance your career?
In this qualification, you will develop a foundational knowledge of research theories, methodologies, design, and ethics and conduct. Then, under the supervision of experienced academic staff, you will identify an issue of your choice and design a guided research project or paper to explore it.
Choose to delve into topics of curriculum, pedagogy, leadership or more, and benefit from access to industry thought leaders.
Research skills are highly valued in education and necessary to obtain high-level professional roles, as per the Australian Professional Standards for Principals and Teachers. As a leading research university, Deakin is focused on ensuring the knowledge it generates is future-focused and holistic, meaning you will be guided to think expansively about what your research explores and its contributions. The research you generate in this course can also be used as a pathway to a PhD.
Additionally, the course is offered exclusively via Deakin’s premium online learning platform, meaning you can further your knowledge and career possibilities as you work.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this course, you will be equipped with refined research skills and a deeper knowledge of the educational context in which you work. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge in a range of education and higher education contexts and roles, including:
- school principal
- head of learning
- head of curriculum.
If you want to continue advancing your professional development and conducting further research, this course can also be used as a pathway to a PhD.
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.
Pathways
Result of 60-69 marks in EDX704 Research Paper B is a pathway to Master of Education (Research) with opportunity to upgrade to a PhD at Colloquium.
Result of 70+ marks in EDX704 Research Paper B is a pathway to a PhD.
Research information
The four unit sequence comprises two research training units which provide foundational specialist research training knowledge; and two units wherein a guided research project in a specialist area is undertaken with assistance from an academic supervisor.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate specialist knowledge of contemporary research methodologies and traditions; apply this knowledge to the critique and conduct of research in a range of education contexts. |
| Communication | Employ a range of oral and written communication strategies required of professional educators and learning professionals to be able to critique and conduct research in professional and scholarly contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Apply advanced digital skills to select appropriate digital technologies to research, analyse, report, evaluate and communicate within education research contexts. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate specialist skills in critical analysis and synthesis of complex ideas in education research contexts. |
| Problem solving | Analyse critically issues and problems in education research contexts and generate approaches to examine them appropriately |
| Self-management | Apply the knowledge and skills required of professional educators and learning professionals to demonstrate autonomy, judgement, adaptability and ethical behaviours and responsibility in education research contexts. |
Approved at Faculty Board August 2017
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Education Research 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:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Research training units:
| EDX701 | Research Design Development and Method |
| EDX712 | Theory and Methodology in Education Research |
Guided research project units:
| EDX703 | Research Paper A |
| EDX704 | Research Paper B |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Research and research-related study
The four unit sequence comprises two research training units which provide foundational specialist research training knowledge; and two units wherein a guided research project in a specialist area is undertaken with assistance from an academic supervisor.
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.