Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2020. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2020. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2020. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	1 year part-time
Deakin course code	M569
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.
Please note: This course is only available for part-time study.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Be ready for Australia’s financial planning reforms by studying the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning, which develops the decision-making skills needed to provide practical and professionally responsible financial advice to your client.

If you’re a financial planner returning to study, why not choose a course that’s purpose-built to help you stay ahead of industry requirements?

Designed to meet the current and future needs of the industry, the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning places a strong emphasis on preparing professionally responsible financial planners, both in an ethical and compliance sense. Even experienced financial planners will graduate with valuable new skills and knowledge relating to:

ethics for financial services
financial behaviour and decision making
financial services regulation.

On completion of the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning, you may wish to articulate into Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning or Master of Financial Planning.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Career opportunities

Whether you’re currently working in the industry or looking to move into a financial planning role, you’ll be prepared to excel in a variety of positions including:

financial adviser
insurance adviser
business development manager
superannuation consultant
portfolio analyst
personal financial planner
investment banker
paraplanner
claims administrator
compliance manager
risk adviser.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcome	Course Learning Outcome
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate the application of core financial planning concepts and theories in authentic contexts
Communication	Apply appropriate communication skills within the context of providing advice on financial matters.
Digital literacy	Effectively and critically navigate, evaluate and create information using a range of digital technologies.
Critical thinking	Analyse critically, evaluate and express sound judgement, ideas and reflection in relation to a range of core financial planning issues.
Problem solving	Summarise and explain the financial planning issue to be solved and apply the financial tools necessary to reach a solution.
Self-management	Develop skills necessary for independent study and learning in the field of financial planning.
Teamwork	Develop skills necessary for independent study and learning in the field of financial planning.
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Certificate of Financial Planning, students must attain a total of 4 credit points, consisting of 3 credit points of core units and a one credit point elective unit chosen from a specified list, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point units, MAI010 Academic Integrity and MAA071 Pre-Term: Getting to Grips with Postgraduate Study. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

Course structure

Core units

MAA728/MAI728

Financial Behaviour and Decision Making (Intensive)

MAA769/MAI769

Ethics for Financial Services (Intensive)

MLC714/MLI714

Financial Advice Regulation (Intensive)

^*MAI code denotes Intensive version of the unit.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point units

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

MAI010

Academic Integrity

MAA071

Pre-Term: Getting to Grips with Postgraduate Study

Course structure

Elective units

Plus a 1 credit point elective unit from:

MAA719

Superannuation and Retirement Planning

MAA745

Financial Planning and Economic Fundamentals

MLC703

Principles of Income Tax Law

MLC707

Business Law

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

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

Contact details

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

Contact Student Central