Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management

Students gain knowledge and skills within the areas of primary health, chronic disease, teaching, management and leadership, research, client self-management and counselling. They gain an in-depth knowledge of medications related to diabetes and other comorbidities, including Insulin initiation and titration and insulin pump therapy.

Students are required to undertake 40 hours of clinical placement within a recognised diabetes service with, as a minimum, a credentialed diabetes educator as a mentor. The importance of linking theory to practice is fundamental to student learning to ensure graduates have the confidence to apply their knowledge and skills with clients in professional settings.

The 40 hours of placement is a mandatory component of the course. Clinical placement occurs following completion of three units and generally occurs in Study Period 5 for those undertaking the complete one-year course. For those students who defer, placement may occur once three units have been successfully completed. Placements are organised by the professional experience unit at Southern Cross University.

Professional experience placements require students to fulfil certain prerequisites prior to attending placement (e.g. a working with children check and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for a course offered by the School of Health and Human Sciences, please consider the important information regarding these requirements.

This course is accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA). Graduates are encouraged to pursue credentialing by the ADEA. The title CDE is well recognised not only in Australia but overseas. Only those diabetes educators who have completed the ADEA credentialing program are awarded the title CDE. CDE’s are required to demonstrate ongoing participation in professional development within the specialty of diabetes education.