Graduate Certificate in Social Justice and Community Practice

The Graduate Certificate in Social Justice and Community Practice provides integrated theoretical and practical knowledge which provides graduates with the foundation for ethical, anti-colonial and collaborative practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and community-run organisations.

Within a flexible online learning environment, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to be an effective human services professional, developing both knowledge and practice skills to support diverse populations. Human service professionals are concerned with improving the social, economic, personal and communal well-being of people. They seek to promote social inclusion and achieve equity, social justice, interdependence and human rights of people who are adversely affected by social and economic factors.

This program has a focus on supporting you to engage equitably and effectively with Indigenous communities in regard to inter-professional and inter-cultural practice. You will be introduced to contemporary approaches to inter-professional and inter-cultural practice that have been developed by Indigenous community organisations and via collaborations with Indigenous community representatives and their allies. You will be supported to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the complex social, political and cultural dynamics at play in Australia as a result of both historic and current government and non-government attitudes and actions regarding Indigenous peoples and their communities.

Some courses may be complemented by compulsory intensives (requiring short, intensive workshops on-campus) supported by online learning. Students are required to check the Course Catalogue to find out more information on where and when the courses are offered.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• First Peoples and Social Justice (Advanced)
• Human Service : Knowledge and Practice
• Working with First Peoples Communities
• Disability Theories and Approaches
• Qld Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Child Protection Practice Standards 

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Social Justice and Community Practice (GCertSocJusticeCPrac), you must complete:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation Module.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $8,500

The amounts shown here are 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

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QS Ranking 2025:

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2025:

21

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Social Justice and Community Practice, an applicant must have a:

• Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline; OR
• Certificate IV or Diploma - VET/TAFE qualification in a related discipline^ and a minimum of one year full-time relevant experience^^; OR
• Combination of formal study, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above.

^ Related discipline: Social or Behavioural Sciences, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology, Arts, Public Health, Health Science. 

^^ Relevant experience: Community Services, Disability Services/Support, Rehabilitation, Family Support, Mental Health Support, Community Development/Welfare, Youth Work, Aged Care or Related Human Services fields, First Peoples Welfare and Support Services, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Education, Criminology

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

The Trimester 3 intake is available only for students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent working in community-controlled organisations who are sponsored to enrol in 7050HSV Qld Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Child Protection Practice Standards.