The program is designed to provide students who wish to pursue a career with government agencies, NGOs and private firms, with the knowledge and skills to understand the processes of social change and development and to improve their effectiveness as administrators, researchers, development planners, educators, or managers. As Australia engages more and more with developing countries in the region, there is a growing need for qualified professionals to work in the community development and policy analysis sectors of funded development projects and aid organisations.
While a base undergraduate degree in an area of relevant specialisation is useful for this kind of work, professionals in the field of international development need an understanding of the implications of wider social and political changes at a global level which affect local conditions and capacities. The program aims to equip professionals with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge which can meet the challenges of development work in a rapidly changing global environment.
Why study with us? The University of Newcastle now has an established reputation, both nationally and internationally, as a provider of this high-quality postgraduate coursework program, the Graduate Certificate of Social Change and Development. The program has been in operation for eight years, with a continuously increasing number of participating students from Australia and the world. Students who have completed this program report very high levels of satisfaction in terms of the quality of the course, and the enhanced employment opportunities it offers upon graduation. International students find Newcastle a very safe and friendly environment for their University studies. Career Opportunities Overseas Aid Organisations, Community Development, Local Government Capacity-Building, Ministry of Finance in a Developing Country, Sustainable Land Care.
Admission Requirements Bachelor Degree in a field relevant to development studies, such as social sciences, community organisations, human resource management, politics, health, environmental studies, indigenous studies or agriculture. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Social Change and Development will be eligible for 40 units of credit towards the Master of Social Change and Development award.
Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students.
Assumed Knowledge An undergraduate degree in a relevant area.
Credit Transfer Students who have completed relevant postgraduate studies may apply for up to 20 units credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Social Change and Development. International Students International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University.
The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for international students, in liaison with the International Development Services unit support team, which offers practical assistance and advice to international students.
All new International Students will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Education and Arts and the University at the commencement of each Semester.
There is a designated International Student Liaison Officer in all Schools within the Faculty of Education and Arts. This Officer is available to International Students as a representative and also to seek guidance and advice from. Special Needs Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.
Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student¿s responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements.
The Faculty of Education & Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness. The program does not target applicants from one or more of the groups of students identified with special needs.
Additional Information The program may be undertaken on campus or through distance learning. Please check timetable information for the availability of individual courses and their location of offer. All courses are offered at Masters level.
Not all courses are offered in each semester. The Faculty reserves the right not to offer courses if there is insufficient demand. All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute. Requirements and Structure The program can be completed over one semester full-time or the part-time equivalent, however please be aware that not all courses are offered in any one semester. Some courses are offered on a trimester basis.
Qualification for the Graduate Certificate in Social Change and Development award requires completion of 40 units of coursework, which comprises: a) a core course SOCA6570 b) 30 units chosen from the list of Directed courses. Please note, other electives may be studied with approval of the Program Convenor.
On completion of the Graduate Certificate, graduates will be eligible for entry into the Master of Social Change and Development program with 40 units of credit in that award. The Master of Social Change and Development is an 80 unit program. Transition Arrangements Students wishing to continue to the Master of Social Change and Development in a particular area of Specialisation should consider undertaking their Directed Courses in their chosen area of Specialisation (Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development; Trade and Development; or Organisational Leadership and Capacity Building).
