General Information

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Social Impact is designed for professionals looking for career advancement in the philanthropy, not-for-profit, social enterprise, social innovation and entrepreneurship sector. Learn the skills required to lead people effectively in a changing social economy and develop innovative responses to complex social and business problems. Upon graduating, students can seek jobs within the commercial and public sectors.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact requires students to complete units of study to the value of 50 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Corporate Responsibility and Accountability
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60001
Social Impact: Entrepreneurs and Social Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60003
Social Investment and Philanthropy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP60004
Evaluation and Impact Measurement
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
SIP70014

Learning outcomes

There is an evident growth in community concern about the consequences for the community – positive and negative – of the interplay of business, private wealth and philanthropy, and government. Lately the term ‘social impact’, alongside such others as ‘the social economy’, social entrepreneurship, and social enterprises, has been employed to recognise these interactions.

The growing economic importance of the not-for-profit sector and rising levels, and new forms, of corporate community investment are not yet reflected adequately in the teaching and resourcing of management education in Australia. At the same time the dynamism of the market needs to be directed toward social innovation.

These forces, and the rethinking required by the global economic crisis, require that business leaders of today and tomorrow be equipped with academic support in integrating the goals of an inclusive and sustainable global economy into their corporate behaviours. New skills must be available to those who seek a leadership career in business, social enterprises, community agencies; for those, already in the sector, who wish to enhance their skills; to those who wish to contribute their commitment and experience in a voluntary capacity to the governance of not-for-profit institutions; and to donors, philanthropists and social investors. Themes covered include knowledge of the creation of social value, the dynamics of social enterprise, the foundations of social innovation and the measurement of social impact. At completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact, graduates will be able to:

  • apply coherent and advanced knowledge of social impact in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
  • apply problem solving, design and decision making to methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
  • communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and use basic tools and practices of social impact within project work
  • demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and an awareness of professional practices and cultural practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context.

Career opportunities

The GCSI provides core capabilities required to lead people effectively in a changing social economy and business environment and to develop innovative responses to complex social and business problems. The course allows articulation into the Master of Social Impact.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Social Impact students must complete 50 credit points comprising of:

  • Four (4) core units (50 credit points)

Graduate skills

The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:

  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • adaptable and able to manage change
  • aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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