Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
Postgraduate
ACU-SPO-GCE 2024Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Dive into the world of optimising athletes
Learn what it takes to make a sports star–including overcoming hurdles like fatigue and injury. You’ll cover strength and conditioning, using data for better outcomes. Build communication skills to problem-solve with high-performance teams.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
About this degree
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport should be able to:
- LO1 - Use specialised technologies and techniques to collect, analyse, interpret and report meaningful data for monitoring the health, performance and training interventions of high performance athletes;
- LO2 - Design and deliver meaningful interventions to athletes that enhance performance and reduce the likelihood (and/or duration) of injury and illness;
- LO3 - Work in an ethical manner that promotes the dignity of the athlete and communicate effectively in high performance sport contexts.
The high performance sport industry is a global, multi-billion dollar entity that provides employment opportunities for a range of professions, including sport scientists, coaches and managers.
The Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport aims to help students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to enhance the conditioning of high performance athletes, with the aim of optimising individual and team performance, within the context of a multidisciplinary environment and its culture and leadership structures, and to do so in an ethical manner characterised by a concern for respect, equity and social justice.
Recommended study pattern
Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator. In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport a student must complete 20 cp of Specified Units and 20 cp of Elective Units.
Specified Unit Offerings include:
- EXSC510 Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation (10cp)
- EXSC513 Data Analysis and Interpretation for High Performance Sport (10cp)
Elective units to be selected from:
- EXSC512 Leadership and Culture in High Performance Settings (10cp)
- EXSC650 Fatigue, Recovery, Adaptation and Performance (10cp)
- EXSC651 Sports Injury Prevention (10cp)
- EXSC652 Contemporary issues in Sports Science (10cp)*
- EXSC668 Performance Nutrition (10cp)
*Online Intensive over two weeks (recorded).
Award requirements
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 20 cp of Specified Units and 20 cp of Elective Units.
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Indicative total fee $4,472
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.
Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about ACU.
Explore ACU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 34
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 29
How to apply
Australian Catholic University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Australian Catholic University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:
a. hold a Bachelor degree or higher in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement or a related discipline; OR
b. Hold a Bachelor degree or higher AND have evidence of relevant industry experience ; OR
c. Submit a resume alongside their formal application, demonstrating suitability for study and evidence of relevant industry experience and/or prior learning over a sustained period.
Students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
- Academic IELTS with an overall score of 6.5: with minimum scores of 6.0 in all tests.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 58: with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
- Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic TOEFL Internet based total of 79: with a minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) Overall CAE of 176: with a minimum individual score of 169 in all tests.
ACU will consider requests for advanced standing based on prior studies to a maximum equivalence of 2 subjects (or 20cp).
Career opportunities
Examples of the types of work settings the course prepares graduates for:
- fitness advisor
- fitness coach
- football or other sport manager
- high performance manager
- performance analyst
- professional coach
- rehabilitation coach
- sports science manager
- sports scientist
- strength and conditioning coach
- team manager
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Amusement, Fitness and Sports Centre Managers | N/A^ | Up 18.6% |
Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | $60K to $74K | Up 3.2% |
Sportspersons | N/A^ | Up 18.6% |
^ There is no data available