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Increase your expertise in the field of career development with this endorsed qualification. Provide career support to diverse clients and groups across educational and organisational contexts. Respond to the challenges of an evolving world of work. Graduate ready to seize a new career pathway, or progress in your current role.

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Online

Available to off-shore students only

Online: January, March, May, July, September

$16,020.00⁺

⁺total estimated tuition fee

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or equivalent

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

106011

What to expect

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.

Career Opportunities

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

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:

Apply and integrate specialised knowledge of career development theories, career counselling approaches, and relevant industry standards of professional practice
Critically evaluate and identify the impact of changes in the world of work including automation, climate change, globalisation, mobility, demographics, and trends in the labour market and industry, on workers, the career life cycle, and the future of work
Demonstrate technical skills to collect, analyse, and interpret information to plan and respond to complex concerns within career development practice
Identify, conceptualise, and generate innovative solutions to practice challenges while engaging in a high level of autonomy, initiative, collaboration, and accountability in the decision-making process
Critically review, analyse and synthesise theoretical propositions and consideration of diversity, ethical and cultural frameworks, and research principles and methodologies in career development practice
Evaluate complex information, to communicate ideas and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using advanced communication and advocacy skills
Reflect on current skills, knowledge, and attitudes with a commitment and plan for lifelong learning and development of professional practice.

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

E D5583:03 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

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD16,020.00

Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

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.

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Alumni

Camille Flores

Graduate Certificate of Career Development

Studying the Graduate Certificate in Career Development at JCU was an incredible journey. The comprehensive subjects equipped me with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex landscape of career development, empowering me to guide others towards fulfilling career paths.
Alumni

Trent Engel

Graduate Certificate of Career Development

I highly recommend this comprehensive, relevant and CICA endorsed program to anyone interested in becoming a Career Development Practitioner. It has enhanced my ability to provide effective career guidance to individuals and support Career Development Practitioners in our Townsville Catholic Education school network.
Alumni

Caroline Thompson

Graduate Certificate of Career Development

This Graduate Certificate has made me a better practitioner with new resources, knowledge and capabilities. I enjoyed learning about career theories that underpin my practice, along with the practical components of career counselling, program planning and evaluation. Now I know that I have found my professional 'why'.
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.
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.