Graduate Certificate of Arts

The Graduate Certificate of Arts is a flexible postgraduate course that prepares you for further studies or research.

The course will diversify and grow your knowledge in cultural and creative spheres.

You'll choose to specialise in one of five focus areas, four of which carry a strong focus on Indigenous research, engagement and language.

Whether you want to consolidate your expertise or forge a new career path, this degree will equip you with the analytical and critical thinking skills you need to succeed.

At CDU, you'll explore unique perspectives on the contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australia, Northern Australia and South-East Asia.

Our lecturers are leaders in their fields and are ready to guide and mentor you.

Cultural and Creative Research In this stream, you'll learn to apply systematic research structures to explore a problem or topic of your choice.

Your topic must align with one of the following areas of study:

Communications, Literature and Digital Media;

Society and Culture;

Global Humanities in a Digital Age;

Indigenous Governance and Policy;

Contemporary Indigenous Australia;

Languages and Linguistics;

Creative and Digital Arts;

Music Making, Production and Performance;

Architectural Design.

Indigenous Research Methodologies In this stream, you'll see first-hand how your research contributions can create positive change and support equitable and meaningful engagement with Indigenous Australians.

You'll develop a deep understanding of the epistemological foundations of Indigenous research methodologies and analyse alternative paradigms to some of the standard methodological approaches in the academy.

These paradigms will inform your research practice, as well as equip you to engage with Indigenous people in a culturally-informed and respectful manner.

The you'll learn how to work collaboratively with Indigenous stakeholders to build research practices and outcomes that both align with the vision and aims of Indigenous communities and that may be used to inform community development and public policy.

Indigenous Engagement In this stream, you'll develop your knowledge and skills to effectively and respectfully engage with people in Indigenous contexts.

You'll explore and analyse the historical and contemporary contexts of interactions between Indigenous and non-indigenous people and develop skills to establish, maintain and promote respectful, professional interactions and partnerships.

Indigenous Policy Development In this stream you will examine the contexts of policymaking in Indigenous contexts to develop skills and knowledge for the processes of informed, collaborative and respective decision making and policy development.

You'll explore and analyse the historical and contemporary contexts of interactions between Indigenous and non-indigenous people in the policy arena and develop skills to establish, maintain and promote respectful, professional interactions and partnerships in policymaking.

Yolngu Languages and Culture In this stream, you'll explore the life and languages of the Yolngu people in North-East Arnhem Land and gain invaluable insight into the complexity of Indigenous societies found elsewhere in Australia.

The focus will be on Yolngu Matha (Yolngu language) forms of Dhuwala.

You'll learn the basics for everyday conversation and build on your grammar and basic vocabulary.

This will help if you decide to continue learning other Yolngu languages.

Attention will also be given to exploring Moiety systems, various aspects of kinship, Yolngu life, creation stories, songs, art and ceremonies and how they are related.

Specialist Electives(4 units) - 40cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from ONE of the five specialisations outlined below:

CULTURAL AND CREATIVE RESEARCH

Choose 40 credit points from the units detailed below:

IAS501

(20cp)

(20cp) (repeatable) (available from 2021

(20cp) (repeatable) (available from 2021)

INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Complete the following units totalling 40 credit points:

IAS521

IAS522

IAS523

IAS524

INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Complete the following unit totalling 10 credit points:

IAS535

Choose the remaining 30 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS521

IAS522

IAS523

IAS524

IAS530

IAS531

IAS532

IAS533

IAS534

IAS536

IAS537

IAS538

IAS539

IAS541

IAS542

IAS544

IAS547

IAS548

IAS549

INDIGENOUS POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Complete the following unit totalling 10 credit points:

IAS531

Choose the remaining 30 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS530

IAS532

IAS533

IAS536

IAS537

IAS547

IAS548

YOLNGU LANGUAGE AND CULTURE STUDIES

Complete the following units totalling 20 credit points:

IAS541

IAS542

Choose the remaining 20 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS543

IAS544

IAS545

IAS546

- 40cp

Total Credit Points

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or higher. Consideration will also be given to non-graduates who have at least five years appropriate professional experience. Applicants may be asked to provide further documentation detailing their employment experience, roles and achievements in the form of a curriculum vitae.