Professional Certificate in Workplace Leadership

The Professional Certificate in Workplace Leadership is a leadership development course designed to offer significant practical learning opportunities for a diverse range of early career professionals seeking to develop their business, managerial and leadership skills and knowledge.

The course is also suitable for emerging leaders, or those who have been promoted, or seek promotion and wish to develop their leadership capabilities to complement their technical knowledge and expertise, in order to get the most out of themselves and their teams.The course consists of two subjects both of which have a practical focus.

1.

Foundations of Leadership and 2.

Leadership in Practice, which must be taken in that sequence for this course.The Foundations of Leadership subject covers the core knowledge, skills and tools that will position students to be effective organisational leaders.

This subject investigates what leadership is, why it is important and analyses the factors that impact upon workplace leadership and the impacts leadership has in an organisational context.

Students will begin focusing on leadership of self and then look at the role of leadership in contemporary organisations.

Students will develop an individual leadership development plan and demonstrate core capabilities including;

interpreting and influencing, planning and problem solving, collaboration, relationship building, listening and communication and self-reflection.In Leadership in Practice, students will extend their development by learning and applying more advanced knowledge and skills in order to exercise and foster leadership within more complex organisational environments and systems.

Drawing on theories and empirical evidence students will devise a plan to overcome a complex personal leadership conundrum.

Students will also undertake more complex collaborative leadership challenges and simulations, in order to develop their systems and strategic thinking, decision making, coaching and supporting skills.The learning experience includes lectures with leading experts, case studies, leadership diagnostics, contemporary readings and resources, facilitated group discussions, and virtual simulations.

Course structure

The degree is comprised of two 12.5 point core subjects totalling 25 points.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent; and
• One year of documented relevant post- graduation professional experience, which demonstrates the capacity to undertake the course successfully.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• relevant post- graduation professional experience

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Professional Certificate in Workplace Leadership welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance the student’s participation in the degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this Professional Certificate students will be able to:

• Analyse and evaluate various leadership theories, models and approaches and how they impact upon employee and organisational performance
• Identify and critically evaluate the knowledge and capabilities required for effective workplace leadership
• Develop critical reflection and assessment of their own personal leadership capabilities and how they might be applied in their own organisational context
• Demonstrate the ability to coach and support others to maximise their workplace performance
• Design and implement a personal leadership development plan
• Apply new skills and knowledge in the workplace.