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Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice

Graduate Certificate

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertAP

  • Course code

    1007095

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice, delivered by Southern Cross University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning in association with the School of Education, offers academics working in higher education contexts (or equivalent) the opportunity to gain a postgraduate qualification in academic practice.

On completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

  • Investigate, critically analyse, synthesise and interpret complex knowledge in relation to teaching, research and community engagement
  • Develop innovative and creative responses to challenges in academic practice
  • Demonstrate respect, integrity, responsibility and adaptability in academic practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of principles and methods of inquiry applicable to academic practice
  • Demonstrate autonomy, reflection in practice, and a high level of information literacy skills for lifelong learning in the context of academic practice
  • Communicate concisely and appropriately in an oral and written form in an academic and professional context
  • Apply academic practices that are informed by cultural awareness and cultural competence, global perspectives, inclusivity and respect for the rights of all persons.

The course provides direct and practical benefits for participants in their current academic role and aims to:

  • Provide staff working as academics in higher education with opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of their work, whether it is teaching, research or community engagement.
  • Support participants in the pursuit of their own professional learning through structured and independent activities and scholarly reflections underpinned by the development of a professional portfolio.
  • Equip participants with skills, knowledges and insights for ongoing engagement with academic practice.
  • Provide a valuable credential in higher education that is built upon scholarship and participants’ academic practice.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Investigate, critically analyse, synthesise and interpret complex knowledge in relation to teaching, research and community engagement

Creativity

Develop innovative and creative responses to challenges in academic practice

Ethical practice

Demonstrate respect, integrity, responsibility and adaptability in academic practice

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of principles and methods of inquiry applicable to academic practice

Lifelong learning

Demonstrate autonomy, reflection in practice, and a high level of information literacy skills for lifelong learning in the context of academic practice

Communication and social skills

Communicate concisely and appropriately in an oral and written form in an academic and professional context

Cultural competence

Apply academic practices that are informed by cultural awareness and cultural competence, global perspectives, inclusivity and respect for the rights of all persons

The first unit requires participants to be concurrently teaching at tertiary level or employed in the facilitation of learning.

The course contains both core and elective units, each about 130 hours of work, including assessment tasks.

Please refer to the course structure for more details about the units on offer.

Special unit requirements

Opportunities for single unit enrolment

These three units provide opportunities for academics interested in professional learning. These are available as stand-alone units of study.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Session 2 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

An applicant for admission must:

  1. fulfil all the requirements for admission to a degree (or qualification of equivalent standing) at this University or at another university or tertiary institution approved by the Academic Board; and
  2. be currently employed as an academic teacher in a higher education institution (or equivalent) context (full-time, part-time or sessionally).

Credit for prior learning

  1. Candidates may be granted Advanced Standing in accordance with Rule 2 Section 4 of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, with the exclusion of Rule 2 Section 4 Clause (24).
  2. Candidates may be granted Advanced Standing on the basis of recognition of prior learning (RPL) on an individual basis, where they can demonstrate academic or professional standing or a level of knowledge considered by the School Board to be equal to that required to successfully complete a unit listed in the Schedule.
  3. Work experience alone will not be accepted as a basis for Advanced Standing.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice a candidate shall successfully complete not less than four (4) units (48 credit points) comprising all units listed in Part A and two (2) units from Part B of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.

Course structure

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
TCH03193 Foundations of Academic Practice in Higher Education Introductory
TCH03196 The Scholarship of Academic Practice Advanced

Part B
TCH03194 Assessment and Learning in Higher Education Advanced
TCH03195 Curriculum Design and Review in Higher Education Advanced
TCH03409 Clinical Teaching and Supervision Advanced
TCH03410 Community Engagement: Scholarship and Practice Introductory
TCH03411 Higher Degree Research Supervision Advanced
TCH03412 Being a Researcher: Career Development and Planning Introductory