Program Overview

Graduate Certificate of Career Development

Increase your expertise in the field of career development with this endorsed qualification. Provide career support to diverse clients and groups across educational and organisational contexts. Respond to the challenges of an evolving world of work. Graduate ready to seize a new career pathway, or progress in your current role.

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centres where you can study this course. 'Online' means the course can be studied off-campus using a combination of online resources, printed material or other technologies. Some online courses include on-campus workshops and travel for professional placements.
  • Online
• Commencing: The month(s) you can start the course. For courses offered at JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, see 'How to Apply'.
  • Online: January, March, May, July, September
• Fees: Indicative, annual cost of your course. Some courses are supported by the Australian Government with the government paying some of your fees. This is the Commonwealth Supported fee. The tuition fee is the fee payable if Commonwealth Support does not apply. You can defer your fees if eligible with HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. The Student Services & Amenities Fee is a required payment from most students.
  • $2,314.00+ (total estimated Commonwealth Supported Fee)
  • $12,625.00^ (total estimated tuition fee)
  • Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
  • Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
• Duration: The time it will take you to complete the course as a full-time student. Also specifies if the course is available part-time. This section will indicate if some online courses may have a longer duration due to their different delivery method.
  • 10 months part-time
• Entry Requirements: This is usually a score given to Year 12 students upon completion of their studies. Non-school leavers can have their qualifications and work experience assessed to obtain an equivalent score. The score displayed is the minimum adjusted ATAR/rank that was required for entry. Some subjects are required for entry into a course. Whereas assumed knowledge indicates a minimum level of knowledge
  • AQF level 7 bachelor degree; or equivalent
• Course Code: The course code is JCU's unique identifier for this course.

Course Detail

What to expect

Progress your career as you deepen your skills and knowledge with a Graduate Certificate of Career Development. In this 8-month course, you will examine foundational and contemporary theories in career development, approaches to career counselling and relevant industry standards of professional practice.

JCU offers Commonwealth Supported Places for some eligible Graduate Certificate of Career Development applicants, providing you with an opportunity to further your career, skills and experience with less of a financial outlay.

Develop or deepen your skillset as you collect, analyse and interpret information on real-world issues within the career development space. You will consider the impact of changes in the world of work, such as automation and artificial intelligence; climate change and globalisation; and the effect of trends in the labour market and industry on workers, their career life cycle, and the future of work.

Engage with our innovative learning platform and online community of practice. Build connections with your peers, fellow practitioners and industry experts as you discuss career development practice and respond to changes in the field. As you progress through your course, discover relevant job opportunities and pathways within the career development industry.

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Career Development, you will be equipped to deliver career support across numerous contexts within modern workplaces. Graduates emerge with skills that are well-developed and highly sought after by employers, in areas such as communication, collaboration, organisation, adaptability, resilience, critical thinking and digital literacy. The experience you gain in analysis and problem-solving will empower you to embrace a variety of roles across several industries.

The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has endorsed Graduate Certificate in Career Development delivered by James Cook University as meeting the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners for a period of 3 years from May 2023 to May 2026.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Certificate of Career Development.

Career Opportunities

When you complete a Graduate Certificate of Career Development, you will be equipped to embrace job opportunities across a variety of work and educational contexts. Explore roles within schools, vocational and further education (TAFE), universities, government agencies and industry organisations. Use the range of career options available to find your niche within the industry.

Draw upon your unique combination of practical training, professional experience and theoretical learning in roles such as a career development practitioner, career educator, career counsellor, work-integrated learning coordinator, employability advisor, Human Resources practitioner and more.

Pursue further development within this field and continue your studies with a Master of Education or Master of Guidance and Counselling at JCU.