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Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management

Graduate Certificate

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    8 months part-time
    Available part-time only. Students undertake one unit per study period over four study periods.

  • Location

    View in availability

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertDEM

  • Course code

    1007289

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

More than 1.2 million Australians are living with diabetes. Now in epidemic proportions, fighting this condition is one of the major challenges facing Australian and global healthcare systems.

Play your part in improving diabetes knowledge, awareness, and self-management with this specialised postgraduate program. This course is designed to qualify nurses, midwives, dietitians, pharmacists, medical practitioners, podiatrists, exercise physiologists and physiotherapists as diabetes educators. 

This important program links theory and practice, providing specialist knowledge about all aspects of diabetes, including its causes, complications, management and education strategies. A highlight is a professional placement flanked by a credentialled diabetes educator mentor.

Graduates can consider career opportunities offering diabetes-related services in private practice or other areas of the health industry.

Course Learning Outcome

Operate effectively with and upon a body of knowledge of sufficient depth to begin professional practice as a Diabetes Educator

Develop effective problem solving skills, capable of applying logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems.

Develop an understanding of health practice informed by ethical and legal principles.

Demonstrate commitment to ethical action and social responsibility as a professional and citizen

Practice as a Diabetes Educator with the knowledge and skills to be a valued member of the Diabetes team.

Embrace the multidisciplinary nature of diabetes management and seek to gain knowledge and skills in these areas

Prepare for lifelong learning in pursuit of personal development and excellence in professional practice

Communicate effectively both in written and oral form and in professional practice as a member of the community

Apply skills, to work both autonomously and collaboratively as a professional.

Embrace and respect multiculturalism and the diversity of Australian society, and international perspectives as a professional and as a citizen

You are required to undertake 40 hours of clinical placement within a recognised diabetes service with, as a minimum, a credentialled diabetes educator as a mentor. The importance of linking theory to practice is fundamental to student learning and 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.

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 understanding of the diabetes disease process and management options, including medications for therapeutic effectiveness, problem solving for high and low blood glucose levels and reducing the risks of chronic complications.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Study Period 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

This course is accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA). Graduates are encouraged to pursue credentialing by the ADEA. The title Credentialled Diabetes Educator (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.

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

Applicants not born and not schooled in one of the countries listed in Schedule A attached to Rule 2 Section 1:

  1. must have completed at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) study at the level of AQF diploma (or equivalent) or above and the language in which that qualification was taught was English; or
  2. must be able to demonstrate proof of English proficiency by obtaining an overall band score of not less than 7 in the International English Language Testing System (including a minimum score of 7 in the sub-bands) or equivalent TOEFL or comparable test as determined by the Academic Board.

All applicants must:

  1. have successfully completed a minimum AQF Level 7 qualification, or equivalent, in one of the following health disciplines:
    • Nursing;
    • Midwifery;
    • Dietetics;
    • Pharmacy;
    • Exercise Physiology;
    • Podiatry;
    • Physiotherapy; or
    • Medicine.
  2. be registered with AHPRA, or equivalent, as a Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Registered Podiatrist, Registered Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Registered Pharmacist, Accredited Practising Dietitian or General Practitioner (GP); and
  3. be qualified for a minimum of one year, be in current practice and have been active in practice for a minimum of one year.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising all core units.

Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
Study Period 2
HBIO5001 Pathophysiology and Diabetes in a Global Context
Study Period2
Location Domestic International
Online
Study Period2
Study Period2
Study Period 3
PBHL5001 Managing Diabetes as a Chronic Condition
Study Period3
Location Domestic International
Online
Study Period3
Study Period3
Pre-requisites HBIO5001 - Pathophysiology and Diabetes in a Global Context
Study Period 4
PBHL5004 Diabetes Self-management Education Theory and Practice
Study Period4
Location Domestic International
Online
Study Period4
Study Period4
Pre-requisites HBIO5001 - Pathophysiology and Diabetes in a Global Context
Study Period 5
PBHL6001 Diabetes Management in Health Systems and Settings
Study Period5
Location Domestic International
Online
Study Period5
Study Period5
Pre-requisites BIO81001 Pathophysiology and Diabetes in a Global Context AND PBHL5001 - Managing Diabetes as a Chronic Condition AND PBHL5004 - Diabetes Self-management Education Theory and Practice
Enrolment information Please be advised that this unit includes professional experience learning which has pre-placement provisions and associated placement expenses as detailed on the School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page. Failure to comply with these pre-placement requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the stipulated Professional Experience Learning.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
HBIO5001 Pathophysiology and Diabetes in a Global Context
PBHL5001 Managing Diabetes as a Chronic Condition
PBHL5004 Diabetes Self-management Education Theory and Practice
PBHL6001 Diabetes Management in Health Systems and Settings