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Course Overview
This course provides you with opportunities to study a range of topics relating to aspects of organisational management. You will develop the critical conceptual and behavioural capabilities necessary for managing people and organisations and the key functional business insights around marketing, decision making, financial management and stakeholder engagement. The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration allows articulation into the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, the Master of Business Administration or other Masters courses at CQUniversity depending on your previous work experience and study.
Career Information
The CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Business Administration provides students with opportunities to study contemporary management practices. Graduates from this course target employment in the areas of business consultation, or middle to high level business management.
| Duration | 0.5 years full-time or 1 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 24 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | GradCertBusAdmin |
| AQF Level | Level 8: Graduate Certificate |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 3 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 3 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 3 - 2016
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Term 2 - 2016
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Term 1 - 2016
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Term 3 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
International Availability
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2019
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Term 1 - 2019
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Term 3 - 2018
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Term 2 - 2018
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Term 1 - 2018
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Term 3 - 2017
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Term 2 - 2017
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Term 1 - 2017
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Term 3 - 2016
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Term 2 - 2016
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Term 1 - 2016
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Term 3 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
Prospective students must satisfy at least one of the following criteria to enrol in this course:
- a completed bachelor degree in any discipline from an Australian university or college or equivalent and three years relevant business or professional experience; or
- a recognised diploma and three years relevant business or professional experience; or
- a minimum of five years relevant managerial or professional experience
NOTE:
All prospective students must attach a current Curriculum Vitae or Resume to their application.
International English Language (IELTS Academic) overall band score of 6.5 (with no individual band score of less than 6.0) will be required for students seeking entry to this course.
ALL students seeking entry to the MBA following the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate will require a minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience in order to be admitted. Please refer to the entry requirements for other Masters courses as listed in individual handbook pages.
Nil
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
No Residential School for this course.
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 23 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Being able to comply with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Examples are:
- Knowing, understanding and complying with the laws of the Sovereign State in which you reside, work and/or study.
- Complying with the policies and practices of businesses or organisations in which you may be placed.
- Complying with the requirements for student registration with organisations such as the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the Australian Marketing Institute, the Australian Human Resources Institute and the like.
Examples are:
- Performing a wide range of advanced written communication tasks that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) constructing logical and succinct academic essays, business reports or minor academic thesis that demonstrate substantive research while using correct CQU referencing.
- Performing a wide range of advanced verbal, non-verbal and ICT communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) being able to deliver an enhanced message (in English) for maximum effectiveness, while utilising a variety of technologies or media; the ability to deliver succinct yet effective communication; the ability to deliver effective communication that results in impact and/or influence; the ability to design and deliver effective verbal presentations, in clear English, that utilises a variety of technologies or visual media that combines with appropriate business management concepts and language.
- Utilising a variety of technologies and/or visual media as well as speak in front of an audience with an appropriate middle or senior management/leadership voice, manner, style and presence that addresses the required outcomes as well as the needs of the audience.
- Students must be able to utilise a range of communication strategies including effective use of audio visuals to convey meaning, messages, recommendations, etc., to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
- Being highly proficient in the use of computers and various programs and tools as a means of being an advanced business and management communicator.
- Performing advanced communication tasks under pressure.
- Developing the skills of reflective practice to increase self-awareness with personal delivery of advanced communication skills, including being able to determine personal developmental needs with advanced communication deficiencies.
- Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures, being mindful of personal space, time boundaries and cultural sensitivities.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately.
- Utilising proxemics and haptics - physical locations and objects - in a manner that enhances openness and trust.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and applying to academic assessment items the knowledge, skills, processes, tools and techniques of the course to real world examples and contexts of management or discipline specific issues.
- Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in management and/or cognate discipline practice.
Examples are:
- Working productively with colleagues/peers in the classroom and/or in online environments and assuming joint responsibility for required tasks.
- As practicing and aspiring managers, students must interact and demonstrate tact when dealing with CQU staff, particularly in performance management contexts, and also represent the organisation to a range of stakeholders.
- Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence to effective working relationships and outcomes.
Examples are:
- Students need to adopt a sustained approach to research and study to meet deadlines and standards that reflect the type of activities they undertake in organisations.
- Being able to exercise sustainable self-direction in learning and research.
- Developing effective time management skills to enable sustained learning and research activities.
Examples are:
- Relating positively and effectively to a wide variety of business and community stakeholders.
- Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence to effective working relationships and outcomes.
- Combining appropriate business deliberations with the inclusion of the relevant interpersonal factors of the people connected in those processes.
- Being consultative and collaborative in creating and maintaining effective working relationships and outcomes.
- Engaging in personal reflection as a way of increasing self-awareness regarding how individuals interact and affect others.
- Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people, both in Australia and abroad.
- Recognising others as sentient human beings with rights that must not be violated.
- Recognising others in the workplaces as ends in themselves and never exclusively as means to an end.
- Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice during a project, or modifying and reflecting on work integrated learning in response to supervisor feedback.
- 1. Apply the complex body of knowledge associated with leading people and managing diverse organisations
- 2. Integrate new knowledge with previous experience to analyse complex business issues and develop solutions
- 3. Apply advanced team skills that contribute to the attainment of organisational goals and objectives
- 4. Communicate business concepts to a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area | ||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review,analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems | ||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas | ||||
| 4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice | ||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts | ||||
| 6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences | ||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts | ||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts | ||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters | ||||
| 10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications | ||||
| 11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | ||||
| 12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications | ||||
| 13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units | ||||
| 14. Course content drawn from higher education units | ||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
|---|
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 4 from the following units: | ||
| MGMT20135 | Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision-Making | |
| MGMT20129 | Managing People, Organisations and Context | |
| ACCT20077 | Accounting for Management Decision Making | |
| MRKT20052 | Marketing Management and Digital Communications | |
Pathway to a Tier 1 MBA (CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking)
The Graduate Diploma in Business Administration is a pathway to the CL20 MBA of the CQU School of Business and Law. The MBA has a long history of being ranked amongst the top MBAs globally, according to the prestigious CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking. The 2025 ranking places our MBA in Tier 1 globally, and it is ranked as number 33 of online MBAs, and number 8 of Australian MBAs.
To find out more about this ranking, please visit the CEO Magazine ranking website.
United Nations PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education) Signatory
As a Signatory Member of the UN-supported initiative Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), the CQUniversity School of Business and Law is committed to aligning its strategies and operations with universally accepted principles of responsible management education. The School of Business and Law has been a signatory of PRME since 2017 and many of the units in the CC52 Graduate Diploma in Business Administration have embedded the Principles, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To learn more about the School's commitment to PRME and the SDGs, please visit the PRME website where you can find our signatory progress reports: https://www.unprme.org/school-of-business-and-law-central-queensland-university
Work Experience Definitions
Managerial or professional work experience must have included direct, personal involvement in decision-making responsibility in a range of areas such as budgeting, staffing, project management, financial management process management, or other relevant professional experience.
Computing Requirements
As a student, it is necessary to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete your coursework. You should have a good understanding of technology and the ability to navigate the online environment, which may involve completing online assessments, participating in online forums, and responding to emails. There may be instances where you need to use a computer or equivalent device for in-class tasks or assessments. It is important that you have dependable access to the internet and a computer or equivalent device capable of video conferencing for online classes. Make sure to review your unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for your coursework.