Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education |
| Deakin course code | H520 |
| Course credit points | 4 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 1998 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year part-time |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 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
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Take the first step towards becoming a Credentialled Diabetes Educator with Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education, the longest-running course of its kind in Australia. Designed for a range of health professionals, this course builds the specialist knowledge and skills to support people living with diabetes in diverse clinical settings.
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic conditions, affecting millions worldwide and more than 1.7 million Australians. This creates growing demand for health professionals who can deliver effective, evidence-based diabetes education and care.
You will explore the causes and progression of diabetes, along with its social and psychological impacts, and develop practical approaches to prevention and management through lifestyle, medication and education strategies. Accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, this course is the first step towards supervised practice and professional recognition as a diabetes educator.
Indicative student workload
As a student in an online course in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 10-15 hours every week studying for each unit in your course, undertaking various learning tasks, interacting with others and completing assessment tasks. An optional three day workshop is scheduled during Trimester 2 and is delivered on campus at Burwood (Melbourne).
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) and is the first step on the path towards becoming a Credentialed Diabetes Educator.
Career opportunities
Your understanding of diabetes, prevention strategies and management approaches will be highly sought-after in arrange of healthcare and industry settings, including:
• public hospitals
• community health centres
• primary care
• private practices
• government and non-government organisations
• universities
• health funds
• pharmaceutical companies.
If you continue the pathway to become a Credentialed Diabetes Educator (CDE)*, your opportunities will open up even further. As a CDE, you may take on more specialised roles supporting individuals and communities to manage diabetes, improve health outcomes and navigate the complexities of this chronic condition. You may be eligible for a provider number from Medicare and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which helps eligible clients receive rebates for the services you provide.
*Subject to additional requirements. Visit adea.com.au for details
Participation requirements
The units of the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education are delivered online. A three day on-campus workshop is optional. Students seeking credentialling with the ADEA must complete a 40-hour clinical placement while enrolled in the course.
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Mandatory student checks
Students undertaking clinical placement require a police check, working with children check and evidence of immunisations.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs. Students may elect to apply and request credit transfer for their studies into a Graduate Diploma or Masters in their relevant professional areas, providing the entry criteria are met.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply diabetes-specific knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice to diverse clients, populations and clinical setting. |
| Communicate complex knowledge and ideas to clients and their families, health professionals, and the wider diabetes community, demonstrating understanding of person-centred care, empathy, appropriate language and methods to promote active engagement and empowerment. |
| Utilise and evaluate digital technologies to facilitate learning and teaching and support diabetes self-management. |
| Critically identify, analyse, evaluate and apply research knowledge and skills for all aspects of diabetes education and care. |
| Apply diabetes-specific knowledge and skills to adapt diabetes education and management plans to specific client needs and in varied contexts. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a learner and diabetes educator within their scope of practice. |
| Apply the principles of collaborative, interdisciplinary practice for working in partnership with health professionals and clients to achieve mutually agreeable outcomes. |
| Demonstrate understanding and respect for all cultures, diverse populations and perspectives and promote inclusivity and equity. |
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 Diabetes 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
Each unit below is delivered online, allowing you the freedom to fit learning around your work, family and lifestyle. These units are broken down into easily-manageable weekly activities and takes approximately 10 weeks to complete in addition to assessment tasks.
Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HND701 | Pathophysiology of Diabetes |
| HND732 | Diabetes in Social and Psychological Contexts |
Trimester 2
| HND702 | Management of Diabetes |
| HND731 | Contemporary Approaches to Diabetes Education |
Work experience
Australian students seeking ADEA credentialing must successfully complete a 40 hour clinical practicum (while enrolled in the course), organised by academic staff.
Placements are optional and subject to availability.
International students are advised to refer to the professional bodies in their home country and are not able to seek credentialing with the ADEA or undertake clinical placement in Australia.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing clinical requirements.
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.