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Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Certificate of Arts

Key details

Duration

0.5 year/s full-time
1 year/s part-time
0.5 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

40

Course code

UARTS2
SATAC codes

Overview

Our Graduate Certificate of Arts program is designed to diversify and expand your knowledge in cultural and creative spheres.

You can choose units in various areas, including:

  • Social Sciences
  • Indigenous Knowledges and Engagement
  • Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues
  • Indigenous Research Practice
  • Creative Arts

Whether you aim to consolidate your expertise or embark on a new career path, this degree will equip you with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for success.

At CDU, you'll explore unique perspectives on contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australia, Northern Australia, and South-East Asia. Our lecturers, who are leaders in their fields, are ready to guide and mentor you.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

International Tuition Fees

Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives

What will I study?

The course requires the successful completion of 40 credit points of study. This course of study gives you the flexibility to study online, on campus or a mix of both, part time or full time. With 24/7 access to learning materials and online collaboration tools, you can study when it suits you.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Unit
(1 unit)
10cp

Compulsory core unit totalling 10 credit points as detailed below:

IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action  
 

Specialist Electives
(3 units) 
30cp 

Specialist Elective units totalling 30 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below:    

IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing  
IAS503 Independent Study

SOCIAL SCIENCE  
IAS515 Peace Studies: Understanding Solidarity and Sedition  
IAS506 Gender and Society  
IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics  
IAS504 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society  
IAS518 Indigenous Philosophies and The West  
IAS505 Environment and Climate Change, Writing and Reportage  
IAS516 Sociology of Crime and Deviance  
IAS509 China and International Relations

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGES AND ENGAGEMENT  
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics  
IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation  
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemology  
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management  
IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia  
IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation  
IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts  
IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm  
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People  
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation

INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES  
IAS508 Representing and Recording Country  
IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1  
IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2  
IAS544 Indigenous Language Project  
IAS543 Yolngu Literature  
IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1  
IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2  
IAS502 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics  
IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development  
IAS563 Language Policy and Planning for Revitalisation and Maintenance  
IAS568 Sounds and Sound Systems: Phonetics and Phonology  
IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax  
IAS570 Diversity in First Nations Languages

INDIGENOUSE RESEARCH PRACTICE  
IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts  
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies  
IAS523 Indigenous Research Project

CREATIVE ARTS  
CRA501 Research Methods and Project: for Creative Arts and Humanities  
CRA519 Arts Management and Creative Leadership  
CRA502 Intercultural Project  
CRA527 Artwork and Exhibition: Curatorial and Museum Studies  
CRA507 Conserving and Presenting Indigenous Art in Contemporary Contexts  
CRA524 Writing Fiction  
IAS517 Media and Professional Writing  
IAS514 Workshop in Short Stories and Poetry  
CRA512 Composing and Arranging Music  
CRA522 Location Sound Recording and Design  
CRA517 Screen Performance  
CRA530 Structure and Surface: Sculpture  
CRA511 Artists, Art Works and Art Movements  
CRA508 Indigenous Community Art Centres and Festivals  
IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts  
IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm  
IAS511 Creative Project (20cp)  
 

 40cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules ;(unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (40cp)

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
IAS513 Advocacy and Social ActionCO  
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  

Top of Page

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

Part-Time Study Plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
IAS513 Advocacy and Social ActionCOSpecialist ElectiveSE
Specialist ElectiveSESpecialist ElectiveSE

Top of Page


_____________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  IAS513 Advocacy and Social ActionCO
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE
  Specialist ElectiveSE

Top of Page

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective

Part-Time Study Plan 

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  IAS513 Advocacy and Social ActionCO
  Specialist ElectiveSE
Year 2
Specialist ElectiveSE  
Specialist ElectiveSE  

Top of Page

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who do not have one of the above qualifications, but who have at least five years appropriate professional experience.

Applicants must provide further documentation detailing their employment experience in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

Course details

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
No
Award
Graduate Certificate of Arts
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Arts, Languages and Linguistics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative and Performing Arts, Indigenous Knowledges, Communications and Design

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1GC092
Casuarina campus (FF)
1GC592
Online (CSP)
1GC092
Online (FF)
1GC592
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
116337M

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