Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies (GCPS) - GradCertProfSt

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The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies is a level 8 qualification and complies with the Australian Qualification Framework.

Program focus

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies focuses on providing opportunities for professionals with the appropriate entry qualifications to:

• enable them to critically review literature to address theoretical and practical questions and issues in their area of professional practice,

• design and implement a work-based project to further investigate these questions and issues.

An essential feature of this program is that participants continue their employment while undertaking projects which integrate disciplined enquiry with complex practical work issues.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate specialised understanding within a systemic and coherent body of knowledge including the acquisition and application of knowledge in a professional area of practice

• demonstrate analytical, critical and creative thinking in workplace applications

• postulate directions for investigation of unsolved problems in their workplace

• undertake and write reports on their project relating to their workplace in a professional manner

• demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying, choosing and implementing procedures appropriate for addressing hypotheses

• demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of their project and manage these limitations

• demonstrate a high level of skill in assessing and addressing ethical/confidential concerns in their study and related work activity

• report the results of their project concerning changes to their workplace in a manner appropriate to their audience

• develop a workplace-based learning plan that integrates theory and practice.

Program aims

The aim of this program is to provide experienced professionals with Graduate Certificate level research opportunities (and some coursework as required) that will engage issues that are relevant and meaningful to them, help to sustain their communities and help to fulfil their lives.

Admission requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies articulates with the Master of Professional Studies . Students may elect to complete the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies as a standalone AQF Level 8 qualification or to articulate into the Master of Professional Studies program. The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies is also an exit qualification for Master of Professional Studies students who meet the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies completion requirements (completion of WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies and WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A ).

Admission is by completed online application. To be considered for entry, an applicant must normally possess a bachelor degree from an Australian University or equivalent, and have the equivalent of at least three years’ experience in their field of professional practice. Anyone wishing to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent qualifications and/or experience should contact the University for consideration for admission on this basis. Exemptions awarded within the Master of Professional Studies are not carried across to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies .

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies is a four unit program consisting of:

• Completion of the course WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies (2 units)

• Completion of the course WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A (2 units). As part of the work based research project, a student will prepare a plan that includes information on the specific learning outcomes that are to be achieved through the research project.

Program completion requirements

To graduate from the Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies program a candidate must complete four course units at USQ as stipulated in the Recommended Enrolment Pattern below.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 2 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and as an integral element in the studying and learning process. Many courses make use of the Internet through online discussion groups and course web pages. This course requires substantial access to a computer and the internet. Students will be required to make use of up-to-date computer technology to facilitate learning, research, and the production of assessment material. Students are referred to recommended hardware and software requirements at http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm. Twenty-four hour computer access is available at USQ..

Recommended enrolment pattern

Students may be admitted to the program at the beginning of Semester 1 or Semester 2 or Semester 3. The ‘standard’ rate of progression for part-time students is 4 units per year. Students should undertake the 2 unit course WRP8000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies at the commencement of their program and prior to their enrolment in the 2 unit course WRP8010 Work-based Research Project A unless agreed otherwise with their supervisor.