Graduate Diploma of Investigations
Postgraduate
CSU-INV-GDI 2025Course information for 2025 intake
Prepare for investigative roles with police or the private sector
Build the foundations of an impactful career. You’ll study digital forensics, financial crime, and terrorism. Learn international investigative best practices. Get ready for work in investigations management in the private or public sectors.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Graduate Diploma of Investigations
About this degree
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
- Possess the skills and knowledge for the revision, analysis, consolidation and synthesis of knowledge and understanding of investigations and provide appropriate response to complex investigations challenges.
- Possess the skills and knowledge to critically analyse and consider investigations responses and evaluate complex policy issues.
- Demonstrate through assessment tasks an increased ability to think critically about complex crime and investigations issues, including an ability to challenge cognitive biases to effective analysis of these issues.
- Communicate an understanding of key theoretical approaches to investigations and research those disciplines.
- Communicate complex knowledge and ideas pertaining to investigations and be persuasive in contemporary professional debates.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to be able to make high level independent judgements in a range of investigations functions and related contexts.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate various investigations activities and policies in their areas of responsibility.
The Graduate Diploma of Investigations from Charles Sturt University is ideal if you currently work or wish to work in investigations, compliance, regulation, security and law enforcement, and wish to gain an advanced level of practical and theoretical knowledge.
This investigations course provides the opportunity to study multi-agency and international investigation practice, and to learn about investigation across a wide range of areas, such as financial crime, terrorism, intelligence and many international issues.
Develop critical assessment skills
The Graduate Diploma of Investigations will equip you with the high-level analytical skills to question and interrogate current practice in order to seek innovative new methods of working.
Communicate and apply knowledge
You'll be able to distil and convey a wide range of theoretical approaches, and your analyses of them. You'll also research effective applications for current and future best practice.
Learn from industry experts
All staff involved in teaching the course are highly experienced long-term investigators.
Recommended study pattern
Due to the flexible nature of the program, and intake across all three academic sessions, there is no prescribed enrolment pattern. Students may choose the order in which they study the subjects, taking into account subject availability across the year.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $16,992
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.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
Learn more about CSU.
Explore CSU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 31
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 37
How to apply
Charles Sturt University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Charles Sturt University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
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Entry requirements
Applicants must be employed in an investigations role (police or private sector), and have one of the following: An undergraduate degree in a relevant field Five years or more as a police officer, with associated in service training Five years or more non police investigations experience, with associated professional training.
Applicants must be employed in an investigations role (police or private sector), and have one of the following: An undergraduate degree in a relevant field Five years or more as a police officer, with associated in service training Five years or more non police investigations experience, with associated professional training.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.
Career opportunities
Designed to meet the professional needs of current investigators, this course will enable you to move into management roles. For those new to the profession, it provides the foundation to start a rewarding career in either the public or corporate sector.