Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research

Start a Career that Makes a Difference

Employment and welfare are guaranteed fire-starter topics. The questions they raise are complex, wide-ranging, sensitive, politicised - and often over-simplified and poorly understood.

Welfare recipients are common targets of political opportunism, vilification and marginalisation. And to make matters worse, they tend to be politically under-represented, financially over-burdened and socially immobile, with minimal access to mainstream media.

With the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research, you can contribute directly to the lives of welfare recipients. You can help foster understanding of their needs, and help develop and implement policies to address them.

Combining theory and practice in equal, real-world measure, this course enables you to build on any undergraduate degree and develop a conceptual understanding and practical skills across a range of areas.

You may choose to pursue a career in:

• Community-based organisations
• Non-government service organisations
• Trade unions
• Local government
• Marketing and social research
• Social and community services
• Human services
• Teaching in the field of social science
• Activism
• Social justice / social policy advocate
• Journalism

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Course Structure

Course Units Developing Social Policy Work and Employment Social Care and Human Services Economy and Society

Set Your Own Study Schedule

There are four study periods each year - so you can enrol anytime and start in the study period of your choice.

You're in control of your study schedule - study from home or wherever it's convenient, and in your own time. You can fast track your learning by studying during all four study periods, or take breaks in between.

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant now for more information.

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Study Now, Pay as You Earn

Almost every Australian citizen is eligible for Government assistance through the FEE-HELP program. This means you do not have to pay anything upfront, but can pay for your course as you earn. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant to find out more about how you can study now and pay as you earn with FEE-HELP.

Refresh Your Study Skills with Quick Skills Modules

New to university study or returning to study after a long break? You may want to consider taking Quick Skills Modules, short online courses that are designed to help you get the most out of your studies. There are six modules available:

• An Introduction to Project Managing Your Studies
• Setting Study Goals and Objectives
• Managing Risks and Optimising Potential
• Getting to Know Your Study Materials
• Scheduling Tasks and Time
• Preparing for and Sitting Exams

Each module can be completed within three hours. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant now for more information about these optional modules.

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Enjoy Comprehensive Support

Get all the support you need as you study towards your qualification. You have access to:

• Student advisors
• Online forums
• Study groups
• Online library resources
• Online guidance on study skills and writing
• A dedicated student association

About Macquarie University & Open Universities Australia (OUA)

This course is delivered by Macquarie University, in partnership with OUA.

About Macquarie University

Macquarie University is a distance education leader dedicated to providing students with maximum flexibility.

Macquarie University is about discovery, learning and participation in a borderless world. It is a dynamic, flexible and engaged university committed to excellence in research, teaching and global citizenship.

Learn more about Macquarie University.

About OUA

OUA offers a wide range of distance-based courses and units from Australia's leading universities. All OUA qualifications are identical to those gained on-campus - and all are FEE-HELP approved.

With OUA, you can enrol anytime, mix and match units, and study at your own pace, while enjoying comprehensive support services.

Learn more about OUA.