Professional Development Unit
Graduate Certificate in Professional Development
Imagine the freedom to choose and enjoy…
a postgraduate qualification individually tailored
for your work responsibilities and career objectives.
This innovative program enables busy professionals to achieve a postgraduate qualification that is uniquely tailored to individual needs and interests.
The program offers you the freedom to choose subjects that will best equip you to perform your professional responsibilities and achieve your career objectives.
The four subjects may be chosen from different areas of specialisation, such as Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting and Management, to craft a unique qualification suited to specific managerial or organisational roles.
Some example scenarios
Scenario 1.
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will be retiring from your organisation within 12 months.
You work in the IT department, have an undergraduate degree and aspire to the role of CIO. You are highly confident, you have the determination and talent to do the job, but feel you will be passed over because of your inexperience. Due to the time, costs and risks involved in hiring outside personnel, your CEO and HR Manager prefer to promote from within.
You undertake the Graduate Certificate in Professional Development course with the following four subjects (chosen by you in conjunction with advice from your HR Manager and your CIO)*:
- Business Accounting & Finance (ACC501)*
- Accounting and Information Systems (ACC511)*
- Forecasting and Risk Assessment (MGT580)* and
- Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM528)*
Scenario 2.
You are a middle manager in your organisation and have your sights set on an overseas appointment in a year or so. You recognise that if you obtain post-graduate qualifications it will help your chances of being selected. You also want to ensure that you are studying in areas that will be helpful to you when posted to that new position. An important area under your responsibility is marketing but you know little about the complications that an international context might create. You confer with senior managers and enrol in*:
- International Business Management (MGT516)*
- Multinational Marketing Management (MKT550)*
- Current Issues in Global Marketing (MKT650)* and
- International Economics (ECO503)*
*Please note: Enrolments and subject selections must satisfy admission requirements and subject prerequisite requirements.
What are the benefits from obtaining this Graduate Certificate?
Besides being uniquely tailored to your work responsibilities and career objectives, this postgraduate qualification confirms your ability to think at higher levels of complexity and within broader contexts.
It also demonstrates your discipline and determination to achieve meaningful or career-related education.
Subject Credits
Some subjects and qualifications previously completed may contribute towards subject credit in this Graduate Certificate. Please inquire as to current subject credit criteria or refer to Charles Sturt University’s Subject Credit Regulations. [Rich Text Document]
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to have:
- An undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution or a qualification deemed to be equivalent plus at least two years work experience;
or - A certificate IV or diploma from TAFE or other Registered Training Organisation, plus at least five years work experience, including some supervisory/managerial experience and good writing skills;
or - Substantial experience (at least five years) in a management position with significant supervisory/managerial responsibilities and good writing skills.
Subject Fees
The fee for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Development is $6,200 paid in full prior to course commencement, or by individual $1,550 instalments prior to each subject.**
Payment is due two weeks prior to course (or subject) commencement and may be made by cheque or by Bankcard, Visa or MasterCard. (The FEEHELP Scheme may also be useful for payment of course fees.)
** Fees for individual subjects (and full course fee) can vary depending on subjects selected.
Refund Policy
Refunds will only be made where the written request for withdrawal is received on or before the Fee-Paying/HECS Census date. Students should note that the granting of an Approved Withdrawal (AW) grade after the University’s Fee-Paying/HECS census date does not entitle you to a refund
How to apply
An application form can be located at: http://www.csu.edu.au/forms/admin.pdf [PDF Document]
Mail completed form to:
Professional Development Unit
Charles Sturt University
Panorama Avenue
BATHURST NSW 2795
Contact details
Lyn D’Arcy Evans
Professional Development Unit
Telephone: 02 6331 4965
Facsimile: 02 6338 4021
Email: gradcertpd@csu.edu.au
Applicants are advised to select subject(s) from the list provided hereunder: You should note that some subjects in the list have a prerequisite, which means that you will need to complete the prerequisite subject to gain the necessary knowledge and competencies for the subject with the prerequisite.