Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Online: January, March, May, July, September
Fees
$2,222.50+
$12,024.00^
+total estimated Commonwealth Supported Fee
^total estimated tuition fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
10 months part-time
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or equivalent
Course Code
106011
Course detail
Progress your career as you deepen your skills and knowledge with a Graduate Certificate of Career Development. In this 8-month course, you will examine foundational and contemporary theories in career development, approaches to career counselling and relevant industry standards of professional practice.
JCU offers Commonwealth Supported Places for some eligible Graduate Certificate of Career Development applicants, providing you with an opportunity to further your career, skills and experience with less of a financial outlay.
Develop or deepen your skillset as you collect, analyse and interpret information on real-world issues within the career development space. You will consider the impact of changes in the world of work, such as automation and artificial intelligence; climate change and globalisation; and the effect of trends in the labour market and industry on workers, their career life cycle, and the future of work.
Engage with our innovative learning platform and online community of practice. Build connections with your peers, fellow practitioners and industry experts as you discuss career development practice and respond to changes in the field. As you progress through your course, discover relevant job opportunities and pathways within the career development industry.
Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Career Development, you will be equipped to deliver career support across numerous contexts within modern workplaces. Graduates emerge with skills that are well-developed and highly sought after by employers, in areas such as communication, collaboration, organisation, adaptability, resilience, critical thinking and digital literacy. The experience you gain in analysis and problem-solving will empower you to embrace a variety of roles across several industries.
The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has endorsed Graduate Certificate in Career Development delivered by James Cook University as meeting the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners for a period of 3 years from May 2023 to May 2026.
Consult the handbook for further information.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Career Development.
When you complete a Graduate Certificate of Career Development, you will be equipped to embrace job opportunities across a variety of work and educational contexts. Explore roles within schools, vocational and further education (TAFE), universities, government agencies and industry organisations. Use the range of career options available to find your niche within the industry.
Draw upon your unique combination of practical training, professional experience and theoretical learning in roles such as a career development practitioner, career educator, career counsellor, work-integrated learning coordinator, employability advisor, Human Resources practitioner and more.
Pursue further development within this field by continuing on to study the Master of Guidance and Counselling.
Handbook year | Information valid for students commencing in 2024 |
Course code | 106011 |
Course type | Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8) |
Professional accreditation status | The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has endorsed Graduate Certificate in Career Development delivered by James Cook University as meeting the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners for a period of 3 years from May 2023 to May 2026. |
Owner | Academy |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree or Other qualifications recognised by the appropriate Academic Group Head, Education, as equivalent to the above. |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 12 credit points |
Course learning outcomes | On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Career Development, graduates will be able to:
|
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements | Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Graduate Certificate of Career Development. |
Reasonable adjustments | All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
ED5581:03 Theories and Assessment in Career Development
ED5582:03 Professional Practice of Career Development
ED5583:03 Labour Market Information and the Future of Work
ED5584:03 Career Development Theories and Counselling Approaches in Practice
Location
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
JCU Online | Offered in an 7-week calendar |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 10 months part-time (20 hours per week) |
Maximum time to complete | 2 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 6 months |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Nil |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | No |
Special assessment requirements | Nil |
Professional accreditation requirements | Nil |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 6 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 4 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 4 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the certificate. |
Other restrictions | Credit will be granted only in fields relevant to the discipline area and at an equivalent level. |
Award Details
Award title | GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT |
Approved abbreviation | GCertCareerDev |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | Not applicable - this course does not have majors |
Exit with lesser award | Not applicable |
Course articulation | Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Master of Guidance of Counselling, and credit will be granted for up to 6 credit points. Students who complete this course are eligible for entry to the Master of Education (with Career Development major) and credit will be granted for up to 12 credit points. |
Special awards | Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure |
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Real stories
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Lecturer
Dr Natalia Veles
Graduate Certificate of Career Development and Head, Professional Programs
When you study career development with JCU, you’ll be able to prepare yourself and your clients for the changing world of work, enhance your knowledge of contemporary career theories and career counselling approaches, and practice career counselling skills under the guidance of experienced career practitioners.
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Lecturer
Dr Sujin Kim
Graduate Certificate of Career Development
One of the strengths of our program is a focus on experiential learning. We offer practical exercises, case studies and simulations where students apply their learning to real-world situations. This approach not only enhances learning outcomes but also prepares students to be effective practitioners in the field.
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Industry Leader
Emeritus Professor Wendy Patton
Chair, Queensland College of Teachers Board
This CICA endorsed course embraces the rich theoretical, research and practice base of career development. As a contributor to this field for over 40 years I encourage the undertaking of studies in career development to enhance students’ own professional standing and the continued professional standing of this field.
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Industry Leader
Dr Elizabeth Knight
Senior Research Fellow, Mitchell Institute and Lecturer, Career Education, James Cook University
The Graduate Certificate of Career Development at James Cook University enables you to reflect on practice, extend your knowledge of career theory and deepen your professional skills. Appropriate for those working in a range of fields, this course will help students learn about key concepts in career development.