Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport

Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is a one-year part-time program designed for professionals and students seeking advanced knowledge and skills in the field. Delivered through flexible learning methods, the program covers topics such as high-performance science, coaching, conditioning, and injury prevention. Graduates are equipped to lead, manage, and inspire in the high-performance sport industry, contributing to the health and well-being of athletes and the advancement of the field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is designed for students from diverse backgrounds and delivered using flexible learning methods suitable for working professionals, domestic students, and international students. The course structure enables full-time or part-time study where students can commence in either Autumn or Spring session to complete four subjects. This nested course structure provides a solid grounding of the knowledge and skills required in any high-performance sport career while offering the opportunity to advance and tailor knowledge and skills development at an advanced level. The course is developed and delivered in collaboration with industry experts from the field, with each subject comprising a mix of theory and evidence-based practice. Research-inspired course content is delivered by world-leading academics and industry partners, which allows students to apply an advanced level of knowledge and understanding to a range of areas that meets the diverse needs of the high-performance sport industry. Graduates enter the workforce as effective professionals capable of leading, managing, and inspiring in the field.

Objectives:

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport course aims to produce graduates that:

• Are effective, collaborative, and responsive professionals capable of leading, managing, and inspiring in the field of high-performance sport.
• Exhibit reflective critical thinking to optimize decision making and enable positive change through creative, effective, and evidence-based solutions.
• Take personal, social, and ethical responsibility for their contribution to sport, exercise, and health by demonstrating professional sports science practice, including ethical considerations, legislated requirements, and the service delivery setting.
• Acquire knowledge of methods to increase performance and reduce injury, and apply a detailed process of planning to deliver high-quality sports performance services and optimized health outcomes for users.
• Demonstrate professional relationships, effective and sensitive communication techniques, teamwork, and engagement with key stakeholders in a multidisciplinary and diverse high-performance sport environment.
• Demonstrate professional cultural competency, which contributes to the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of physical, social, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

Outline:

Program Content:

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport covers a wide range of topics, including:

• High-performance science
• High-performance coaching
• Conditioning the high-performance athlete
• Performance and culture in high-performance sport
• Performance analysis and data science
• Injury prevention and management in high-performance sport
• Recovery and nutrition for high-performance sport
• Fundamentals of science and applied research in high-performance sport
• Professional mentorship in high-performance sport

Course Schedule:

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is a one-year part-time program. Students can commence in either Autumn or Spring session. The following is a sample course schedule:

Autumn Session

• High Performance Science
• High Performance Coaching
• Conditioning the High Performance Athlete

Spring Session

• Performance and Culture in High Performance Sport
• Performance Analysis and Data Science
• Injury Prevention and Management in High Performance Sport

Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• High Performance Science: This module provides students with a foundation in the scientific principles of high-performance sport.
Topics covered include exercise physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition.
• High Performance Coaching: This module examines the principles and practices of high-performance coaching.
Topics covered include coaching philosophy, athlete development, and performance analysis.
• Conditioning the High Performance Athlete: This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to develop and implement conditioning programs for high-performance athletes.
Topics covered include strength training, plyometrics, and endurance training.
• Performance and Culture in High Performance Sport: This module explores the role of culture in high-performance sport.
Topics covered include team dynamics, leadership, and mental health.
• Performance Analysis and Data Science: This module introduces students to the use of data science in high-performance sport.
Topics covered include data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Injury Prevention and Management in High Performance Sport: This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to prevent and manage injuries in high-performance athletes.
Topics covered include injury assessment, rehabilitation, and injury prevention strategies.
• Recovery and Nutrition for High Performance Sport: This module examines the role of recovery and nutrition in high-performance sport.
Topics covered include sleep, nutrition, and supplements.
• Fundamentals of Science and Applied Research in High-Performance Sport: This module provides students with the foundation in research methods and statistics necessary to conduct research in high-performance sport.
• Professional Mentorship in High Performance Sport: This module provides students with the opportunity to work with a mentor in the high-performance sport industry.

Assessment:

The assessment methods used in the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport vary depending on the individual module. Some common assessment methods include:

• Essays: Students will be required to write essays that demonstrate their understanding of the course material.
• Presentations: Students will be required to give presentations on their research findings or other course-related topics.
• Exams: Students will be required to take exams that assess their knowledge of the course material.
• Practical assignments: Students will be required to complete practical assignments that demonstrate their skills in high-performance sport.

Teaching:

The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport is taught by a team of world-leading academics and industry experts. The teaching methods used in the program vary depending on the individual module. Some common teaching methods include:

• Lectures: Students will attend lectures that provide an overview of the course material.
• Tutorials: Students will participate in tutorials that provide an opportunity to discuss the course material in more detail.
• Workshops: Students will participate in workshops that provide an opportunity to develop their skills in high-performance sport.
• Field trips: Students will go on field trips to visit high-performance sport organizations.

Careers:

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the high-performance sport industry. Some common career paths include:

• High-performance coach: Graduates can work as high-performance coaches in a variety of sports.
• Strength and conditioning coach: Graduates can work as strength and conditioning coaches in a variety of sports.
• Performance analyst: Graduates can work as performance analysts in a variety of sports.
• Sport scientist: Graduates can work as sport scientists in a variety of sports.
• High-performance manager: Graduates can work as high-performance managers in a variety of sports organizations.