This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses in Management & leadership
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive)
PostgraduateRMI-MBA-GCE2021
Course information for 2021 intake
For students entering with a qualification from a different discipline
Drive innovation and change to create value for your organisation. Study design thinking for business, accounting, marketing and leading people and companies. Graduates may be eligible for membership to the Australian Institute of Management.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive)
About this degree
On successful completion of this degree you will be able to:
- Utilise a broad range of contemporary business knowledge, underpinned by continuous learning, in a manner that is culturally, socially and politically appropriate
- Apply design thinking to complex problems and opportunities to develop creative solutions
- Design client focused, forward thinking solutions to complex global problems and opportunities
- Identify, communicate and advocate effective solutions that will address complex problems and opportunities
- Lead people and organisations in an ethical sustainable manner to design solutions that add value to the organisations and the communities they serve
- Apply and integrate professional theory with practice in authentic Work Integrated Learning (WIL) contexts, professional contexts and industry settings
- Apply research principles and methods to design innovative options and solutions for, and make reasoned judgments about, problems and issues in contemporary business practice.
The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) is a stand-alone award that offers a pathway for further learning leading to the Master of Business Administration (Executive), or can be an early exit point for those enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (Executive). The degree aims to broaden knowledge and skills for students entering with a qualification in an unrelated discipline, while students from a related discipline will deepen their existing knowledge and skills.
This degree develops forward thinking leaders underpinned by contemporary business knowledge, practice and research. The degree is infused with principles of business design, enabling you to create, innovate, lead and manage complex initiatives within uncertain globally connected environments.
Business leadership grounded in design means that as a graduate, you will understand the importance of analysing the architecture of business problems and the value that prototyping, creativity and synthesis bring to the creation of sustainable solutions that are end user driven. You will be equipped with the skills to effectively drive innovation and change so as to create ongoing value for your organisation and the communities it serves. The degree uses an adult and facilitated learning approach to delivery, and authentic assessment. Learning activities and experiences are a combination of issue-based seminars, case study analyses, simulation, exploration of readings and research, and facilitated discussions. Assessment tasks will require you to integrate relevant academic theory with contemporary practice, and apply this within authentic, workplace settings.
Recommended study pattern
BUSM4521 Design Thinking for Business (Executive) is the introductory subject and must be studied first.
If you have not completed OMBA600 Business in a Global Context prior to Session 1 2016, you will be required to complete Design thinking for Business (Executive) as your core subject.
Award requirements
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) students must complete 4 core subjects.
Exit points
The Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (Executive) is an exit point for the MBA (Executive).
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Admission into the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) is required.
For assessments of eligibility, applicants must submit certified copies of official documents, which include:
- Academic transcripts
- Legal documents showing a change of name or date of birth (eg. marriage / birth certificate), if it appears differently on transcripts or records.
- A CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget; and
- A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive), and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation; and
- Two referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
All existing students will be transitioned to the new degree structure, and all subject credits that have already been obtained will be recognised in the new structure.
The transition rules below will apply to students who have commenced the program prior to Session 1, 2016.
OMBA600 Business in a Global Context
If you HAVE completed OMBA600 Business in a Global Context prior to Sess 1 2016 you will not be required to complete BUSM4521 Design Thinking for Business (Exec) as a core subject, however you can take this as one of your electives if you wish.
If you HAVE NOT completed OMBA600 prior to Sess 1 2016 you will be required complete BUSM4521 as one of your core subjects as per the new Program Structure.
You are not required to complete OMBA600 as a core subject, but can complete it as an elective if you wish.
OMBA640 Corporate Social Responsibility & the Law
If you HAVE completed OMBA640 Corporate Social Responsibility & the Law prior to Sess 1 2016 you will not be required to complete BUSM4527 Managing Business Operations as a core subject, however you can take this as one of your electives if you wish.
If you HAVE NOT completed Corporate OMBA640 prior to Sess 1 2016 you will be required complete BUSM4527 as one of your core subjects as per the new Program Structure.
You are not required to complete OMBA640 as a core subject.
OMBA670 Change and Innovation
If you HAVE completed OMBA670 Change and Innovation prior to Sess 1 2016 you will not be required to complete BUSM4530 Managing Technology & Innovation Strategy as a core subject, however you can take this as one of your electives if you wish.
If you HAVE NOT completed OMBA670 prior to Sess 1 2016 you will be required complete BUSM4530 as one of your core subjects as per the new Program Structure.
You are not required to complete OMBA670 as a core subject, but can complete it as an elective if you wish.
OMBA700 Strategic Business Leadership
If you HAVE completed OMBA700 Strategic Business Leadership prior to Sess 1 2016 you will not be required to complete BUSM4524 Executive Consulting as a core subject, however you can take this as one of your electives if you wish.
If you HAVE NOT completed OMBA700 prior to Sess 1 2016 you will be required complete BUSM4524 as one of your core subjects as per the new Program Structure.
BUSM4449 Business Research Design
From Sess 1 2016, BUSM4449 Business Research Design will become a core subject, this will replace one elective in the degree structure. As a result, the Executive MBA will now have only two elective subjects in the structure rather than three.
The transition rules relating to BUSM4449 Business Research Design are provided in the table below:
If you HAVE completed 3 Postgraduate Electives prior to Sess 1 2016 you will not be required to complete BUSM4449
If you HAVE NOT completed 3 Postgraduate Electives prior to Sess 1 2016, you will be required to complete BUSM4449 as a core subject.
You should only complete 2 Postgraduate Electives:
If you HAVE completed OMBA350 MBA Research Project prior to Sess 1 2016 it will be considered equivalent to BUSM4449 Business Research Design. In this circumstance, OMBA350 will be considered as a core subject in your program structure and you should not complete BUSM4449.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $18,624
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
One of Australia's largest dual-sector institutes, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 96,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about RMIT University.
Explore RMIT courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 11
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 16
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Academic Entrance Requirement
- Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent or higher level qualification in any discipline with a GPA of 2.0 (out of 4.0); or
- Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent or higher level qualification in any discipline and a GMAT overall minimum score of 600
Work Experience Requirement
A minimum of 3 years experience in a management role with supervisory responsibilities. Applicants will be required to submit a CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget.
Significant work experience with a minimum of 5 years full-time (FTE) experience in a management role with supervisory responsibilities. Applicants will be required to submit:
- A CV which outlines supervision of staff, performance review and responsibility to budget; and
- A personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining a concise explanation of your personal motivation for undertaking Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive), and your attitude towards personal reflection and reflective learning; and collaboration and class participation; and
- Two referee recommendations either from your supervisor or from a professional peer.
All non-Australian residents and overseas full-fee paying students are required to meet RMIT English language requirements. For more information on these requirements and acceptable English Language tests please see www.rmit.edu.au/international/english-equivalent.
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Executive) will articulate to the Executive MBA with advanced standing, and will be required to complete eight (8) subjects in order to qualify for the degree.
Credits and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University’s Credit Policy.
If you wish to apply for RPL or Credit, please complete the RMIT Credit RPL Application Form and attach it to your degree application.
If you have already submitted your degree application, please send your RPL/Credit application directly to RMIT via RMIT Connect.
Study method requirements
To be eligible for admission to an RMIT program applicants must be at least 16 years of age by the commencement date of the program in which they want to enrol.
The introductory subject, BUSM4521 Design Thinking for Business (Executive), requires attendance in Melbourne, Australia plus online follow-up work. Further information about this requirement will be provided at the time you accept your place into the degree.
Applicants with enquiries about attendance requirements are encouraged to contact the Degree Administrator.
Career opportunities
Professional recognition
This degree is not accredited by professional bodies. However, some professional bodies may offer qualification recognition post-graduation on a case by case basis. Students and/or graduates should contact the professional body of interest directly to seek advice on recognition of their qualification.
The table below lists the professional bodies who may offer membership to students and/or graduates as a career enabler which could include opportunities for networking and access to discipline specific resources. Application for membership is the student/graduate's responsibility.
Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
- Students may be eligible for membership category: Affiliate, Member or Associate Fellow (depending on experience)
- Graduates may be eligible for membership category: Affiliate, Member or Associate Fellow (depending on experience)
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Chief Executives and Managing Directors | N/A^ | Up 10.8% |
Corporate General Managers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
General Managers | N/A^ | Up 59.7% |
Management Consultants | N/A^ | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.