Graduate Certificate of Education Research

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Education Research
Deakin course code	E590
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Online	Yes
Duration	1-1.5 years part-time
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. 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

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 students must pass 4 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
4 credit points of core units

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.

Note:

This course is part-time only.

Course structure

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.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or 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.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.