Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership

Course information for - 2023 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$8762 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Not available
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023
Applications open April 2023

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is for educators including teachers, middle leaders, principals, and administrators who want to become creative and innovative leaders with influence in education. Participants explore theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to their own contexts including Catholic and faith-based educational organisations.

  • Enhance your professional practice. Become a leader in your school community or organisation.

  • Apply theories of educational leadership, management and administration to a school setting.

  • Offered nationally and in online mode. Complete in six months.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • management and administration
  • educational leadership
  • policy development

Course details

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, a student must complete 40 credit points (cp).

View course rules

Sample program map

Year - Study periodUnit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4Unit 5

Semester 1, 2023

EDLE650 Foundations: Vision and Mission of Catholic Education in the Contemporary World

EDLE651 Leading Learning in Catholic Educational Communities and Cultures

Elective

Elective

This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed a Bachelor degree.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.

English language requirements

IELTS overall score of 7.0. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

It will be possible for students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership to later apply for the Master of Educational Leadership and seek credit for the units already completed.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$8762 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Additional application information

Semester 1 applications for this course open in August. Mid-year applications, if offered, open in April.

Please check the start dates at the top of this page for Mid-year availability. Mid-year entry may be offered at other campuses.


For direct applications, read more at our application deadlines page .

To receive information about this course and key application dates, register your interest.

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

Staff Profile

Dr Paul Kidson

Head of Discipline Postgraduate Education, Faculty of Education and Arts

Dr Paul Kidson is Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership and the Head of Postgraduate Studies in the National School of Education. He has extensive school leadership and governance experience, including 11 years as a school principal, which informs the highly practical orientation of his academic research. In addition to his academic research and leadership, he is a member of Australian Council for Educational Leaders (NSW) Executive Committee, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors.

His research adopts holistic and interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on a range of academic disciplines and insights. Through this, he explores how school leaders work effectively within, and critically transform, their complex professional lives. This encompasses broader systems and policies which govern the work of educational leaders, as well as how school leaders develop and sustain their personal experience of leadership. He is part of a large-scale research projects on school leadership, and one of the lead researchers on Australia’s largest and longest running principal well-being research project, the Australian Principal Occupational Health and Well-being Survey. 

Testimonial

Hanar

“I believe in education and its power to change the world and this course is giving me the knowledge and skills to serve my mission with love and authenticity. Every child has the right to an education. My goals are to take what I am learning at ACU with the hope of inspiring and providing a better learning opportunity for children and women in my community.”

Hanar
Educational leadership graduate
 

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