CV88 - Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Leadership

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Overview

Course Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Leadership is a multi-disciplinary course that equips you with a strong foundational knowledge about social innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as leadership skills. You will gain an understanding of how social innovation addresses social challenges through the creative and sustainable development of new ideas, products, models or systems. You will gain knowledge about and critically reflect on human centred design that underpins social innovtion, which maintains a focus on people and creating social impact, whether this is achieved through new business enterprises or other socially focused interventions. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of topics and areas, including design thinking, systems thinking, program logic, group dynamics, disruptive innovation, and innovation and entrepreneurship for 21st Century leaders. You will apply your new knowledge and gain experience by designing, developing and implementing an innovative project with social impact that addresses a contemporary social issue in your field/discipline.

The Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Leadership is for ambitious individuals working in any field or discipline who want to develop their capacity to lead and encourage social entrepreneurship, social intrapreneurial impact, and positive social change. This course recognises that to create an environment in which innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish, leaders need to understand the drivers and behaviours of people, underlying group dynamics, and organisational and leadership processes. This course is aligned with the University's commitment to social innovation and sustainability, including CQU's designation as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.

Career Information

The Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Leadership (GCSIL) focuses on building the professional capacity of managers and social entrepreneurs of the future, across corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Students will learn to lead organisations creating social and environmental value, developing their ability to operate in a changed cross-sector social landscape, where the dynamism of the market is also directed at social innovation. Specifically, students may seek employment in consulting and advising on business performance and improvements including:

Social project design and management

New social ventures developments, international venture assessment and capital raising in a social context

Corporate social innovation and social entrepreneurship

Social incubator and technological innovation, support services to new ventures, in not-for-profit and small to medium enterprise (SME) sectors

Design and development of teams and team dynamics working in social innovation Launchpad environments.


Course Details
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) GradCertSocInnovLeadership
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Certificate
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $8,580
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $8,580
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,270.5
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $17,040.5
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,086

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?

Domestic Availability

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Online

Overseas Availabilities

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Online
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Entry scores are not available, please contact the Student Advice Team for more information
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold one of the following:
  • A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification; or
  • A completed AQF Diploma with two years relevant business experience*; or
  • A minimum of five years relevant business experience*.
* Relevant work experience should include an understanding of how a business operates, which includes, project management, process management or other relevant professional experience.
Employment experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:
  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an International student, please visit International students English requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.
Assumed Knowledge

Recommended study structure follows:
1. Disruption, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (BUSN20022)
2. Social Innovation (BUSN20031)
3. Innovation Project 

Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Be Different
  • Indicative Year - 2025
    • International Indicative First Term Fee - $8,580
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $8,580
  • Indicative Year - 2024
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,270.5
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $17,040.5
  • Indicative Year - 2023
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,086
Higher Education
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Core

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

BUSN28002 - Students are required to complete a project that addresses a social problem in consultation with an organisation or social change group. Students may focus on challenges within their existing workplace, professional life or be involved in one of CQU's social innovation initiatives.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 3
2023 2
2021 2
2020 7
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

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.

Ethical Behaviour
Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Performing a wide range of advanced written communication skills that address critical social and business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) constructing logical and succinct reports and analyses 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 social and 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.
  • 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 skills 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.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

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.
Interpersonal Engagement

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.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Critique and evaluate trends and drivers that influence change in the social economy and apply this knowledge to analyse complex social problems;
  • 2. Effectively communicate ideas of social change, social innovation and social investment with a broad range of stakeholders;
  • 3. Apply innovation processes to collaborate with stakeholders in the social economy;
  • 4. Apply knowledge of ethical conduct, cultural diversity and cultural norms required for innovation in social change projects;
  • 5. Design and implement an innovation project to solve complex social problems; and
  • 6. Measure impact of social change in diverse social contexts.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6
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
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 3 Total credit points: 24


Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
BUSN20022 Disruption, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
BUSN20031 Social Innovation
BUSN28002 Innovation Project
More Details
There is no additional information for this course.