Graduate Certificate in Arts

The Graduate Certificate in Arts (GCA) is a four-subject award designed for those who are already qualified in another field, and are looking to further their theological knowledge, and those with an undergraduate education looking to broaden their knowledge in the Humanities.

Course Description

Based on the principle of integration, the GCA includes cutting-edge Christian thought to guide you in reflecting on your faith in contemporary, community and vocational contexts. Embarking upon a GCA with AC means you will be able to demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge from different elective areas, in a range of contexts, to undertake advanced professional or ministry positions. 

This course is a nested award in the Master of Arts, meaning it can be a stand-alone course or an exit point, thus allowing flexibility for students who may wish to start with a short postgraduate course before committing to a Master of Arts.

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Course Structure

This course structure applies from Semester 1, 2024 onwards.

The course structure is based on one semester (of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in the semester. It comprises:

  • 10 Credit Points - Core subjects
  • 30 Credit Points - Elective subjects

To qualify for award of the degree of Graduate Certificate in Arts a candidate shall complete at least 40 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core / 1 Subjects (10 credit points)

  • ACA401 Faith & Purpose

Electives / 3 Subjects (30 credit points)

3 subjects taken from an accredited Level 8 and 9 subjects (400 or 500 level) offered by AC.

Admission Criteria

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of a Bachelor degree or higher (or equivalent) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants with demonstrated minimum 5 years relevant work experience may apply for entry to this award.

To demonstrate this, applicants must submit as part of their application a copy of their CV with a cover letter outlining how they meet the criteria of at least five years relevant experience. The nature of what is to be considered appropriate experience for admission to this postgraduate award is outlined in the ‘Professional Entry Criteria policy’ (see Professional Entry Criteria Policy (ac.edu.au)).

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 6.5 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Study Modes

Locations: Online. Some subjects available at Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide campuses
Full-time Duration: 6 months
Part-time Duration: Up to 3 years
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2, Nov Intake

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location and mode availability.

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge: Demonstrated:

  • advanced and integrated understanding of key issues and practices within the relevant discipline;
  • knowledge of recent developments and scholarship in the area of the relevant discipline

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • research a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the relevant disciplines;
  • analyse and synthesise ideas and theories from related disciplines;
  • communicate effectively complex ideas and proposed solutions to peers and general audiences;
  • identify and critically evaluate new developments of research and scholarship in the selected disciplinary field.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skills developed within the selected disciplinary fields to develop appropriate solutions;
  • design, implement and evaluate broad conceptual frameworks in the selected disciplinary fields;
  • work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the selected disciplinary fields.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Arts will demonstrate an ability to apply a body of knowledge from a range of electives in a range of contexts to undertake advanced professional or ministry positions. This includes, for example:

- pastoral roles

- leadership roles

- not-for-profit employment

- Higher Education sector employment


Alumni Stories

“Stepping into AC to study opened up more opportunities than I could ever have imagined. My arts studies have laid a foundation for the rest of my life and was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Craig Hall,
Arts Graduate

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Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 084485A