CM08 - Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership)

Overview

Course Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) is designed for entrepreneurs and busy emerging leaders and is closely aligned with the industry capabilities expected of graduates. Students will study four core units focusing on human relations, culture, leadership, communication, innovation, disruption, and marketing. You will develop the capacity to resolve problems, create innovative solutions, and generate potential entrepreneurial business. Contemporary competencies in theory and business practice are developed through problem and activity based learning drawing on your professional expertise, understanding, and context. You will be able to reflect on and engage with current issues in your organisation as authentic tasks.

The course comprises four core units (for a total of 24 Credit Points), which is the equivalent of one term of full time study. You can enrol, study and undertake assessment at times that suit you. Our Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) is 'hyperflexible', meaning it is not bound by term dates or submission deadlines. You have up to three years to complete the course, and will be able to progress at your own pace, supported by staff and students who are encouraged to connect via a community of learning model.

Career Information

If you are seeking to reinvigorate your career, a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is for you. A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration is widely regarded as the degree of choice for inclusion into an astute business professional’s job portfolio. A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) from a quality university like CQUniversity Australia (CQUni) will greatly increase your chances of being elevated to the ‘C’ Executive suite. A Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) at CQUni offers you an affordable, fresh, and compelling graduate educational experience. This contemporary course graduate business education is delivered 100% fully online, and is specifically intended for ambitious, busy and aspiring leaders. Units based on essential business functions are included, such as; accounting/ finance, marketing, human resources, operations and research methods relevant to business analysis and strategy. A considerable amount of time and energy in the course is devoted to solving problems, creating innovative solutions, and generating entrepreneurial business.

Contemporary competencies are developed by problem and activity-based learning. Primarily, learning is directed to identifying and solving business problems and creating new opportunities. Essentially, this Graduate Certificate in Business Administration provides what is required to become an internationally astute business leader. This course is closely aligned with the industry capabilities expected of graduates. Within this course adaptive technology is used to improve the learning experience by streamlining the delivery and application of knowledge.

Course Details
Duration 3 years maximum
Credit Points that Must be Earned 24
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) GradCertBusAdmin(Lead)
AQF Level Level 8: Graduate Certificate
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2026
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,488
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $8,040
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,200
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $7,800
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $7,800
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,888
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $6,888
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,378
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $6,840
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $6,840
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,120

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?

Domestic Availability

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2026

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Online

Overseas Availabilities

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2026

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2025

Online

Hyperflexible Annual Term - 2024

Online
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at https://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Entry scores are not available, please contact the Student Advice Team for more information
Academic Requirements

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold one of the following:

  • A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree, or higher equivalent qualification; or
  • A completed AQF Diploma with two years relevant* business experience, or
  • Five years relevant business* or managerial experience.

*Relevant business or managerial experience includes a working knowledge of how a business operates, for example, budgeting, staffing, project management, financial reporting, process management, or human resources.

Professional experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service.

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

- A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or

- An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or

- Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

- An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or

- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or

- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or

- An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

N/A

Security Requirements
No information available at this time
Health Requirements
No information available at this time
Fees and Charges
Be Different
  • Indicative Year - 2026
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,488
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $8,040
  • Indicative Year - 2025
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,200
    • International Indicative First Term Fee - $7,800
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $7,800
  • Indicative Year - 2024
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,888
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $6,888
  • Indicative Year - 2023
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,378
    • International Indicative First Term Fee - $6,840
    • International Indicative First Year Fee - $6,840
  • Indicative Year - 2022
    • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,120
Higher Education
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Core

    N/A

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2025 9
2024 17
2023 25
2022 34
2021 22
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

General Information

General information about this course can be found in the CQU Handbook.

Ethical Behaviour
  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating respect for cultural and professional diversity as well as individual differences and capacities in business administration.
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
Behavioural Stability
  • Engaging with colleagues and academic and professional staff in a manner that demonstrates respect and integrity.
  • Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from others and situations in a professional setting.
  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate to professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/marker/peer feedback or criticism.
Legal Compliance
  • Knowing, understanding and complying with the laws of the Sovereign State in which you reside, work and/or study.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of businesses or organisations in which you may be placed.
  • Complying with university and workplace policy with the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)
  • Using a computer with sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading, initiating and responding to emails and other forms of electronic communication, and completing relevant assessments for the course. This includes being able to regularly access the Internet for coursework and research.
  • Performing a wide range of advanced written communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) constructing logical and succinct academic essays, applied projects, business reports or strategic plans that demonstrate substantive research while using correct CQU referencing.
  • Performing a wide range of advanced verbal, non-verbal and ICT communication skills that address critical business problems and solutions. These include (but are not limited to) being able to deliver an enhanced message (in English) for maximum effectiveness, while utilising a variety of technologies or media; the ability to deliver succinct yet effective communication; the ability to deliver effective communication that results in impact and/or influence; the ability to design and deliver effective verbal presentations, in clear English, that utilises a variety of technologies or visual media, as well as appropriate business management concepts and language.
  • Utilising a variety of technologies and/or visual media as well as speaking in front of an audience with an appropriate middle or senior management/leadership voice, manner, style and presence that addresses the required outcomes as well as the needs of the audience.
  • Developing the skills of reflective practice to increase self-awareness with personal delivery of advanced communication skills, including being able to determine personal developmental needs with advanced communication deficiencies.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, body movements and gestures, being mindful of personal space, time boundaries, and cultural sensitivities.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)
  • Conceptualising and applying, in academic assessment items, the knowledge, skills, processes, tools and techniques of the course to real-world examples and contexts of management or discipline-specific issues.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in management and/or cognate discipline practice.
  • Constructing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary, correct grammar and conventions of speech, including being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic and professional conventions.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)
  • Being able to utilise a range of communication strategies including effective use of audio visuals to convey meaning, messages, recommendations, etc., to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
Relational Skills
  • Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence for effective working relationships and outcomes.
  • Being able to interact and demonstrate tact when dealing with stakeholders, including (but not limited to) employees, management/leadership peers, customers, and suppliers.
  • Relating positively and effectively to a wide variety of business and community stakeholders.
Reflective Skills
  • Being able to reflect on your own levels of competence and seek feedback from colleagues and use reflective frameworks to increase your level of self-awareness.
  • Being able to reflect on your own levels of competence and willingly seek feedback from colleagues.
Sustainable Performance
  • Being able to exercise self-direction in learning and research.
  • Demonstrating a commitment to action learning by attending and actively participating in the weekly student support sessions.
  • Developing effective time management skills to enable sustained learning and research activities.
Interpersonal Engagement
  • Engaging in personal reflection as a way of increasing self-awareness regarding how individuals interact and affect others.
  • Creating cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with a vast array of people both in Australia and abroad.
  • Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice during a project, or in response to supervisor feedback.
  • Relating positively and effectively to a wide variety of business and community stakeholders.
  • Understanding, acquiring and demonstrating the components of emotional intelligence for effective working relationships and outcomes.
  • Combining appropriate business deliberations with the inclusion of the relevant interpersonal factors of the people connected in those processes.
  • Being consultative and collaborative in creating and maintaining effective working relationships and outcomes.
  • Recognising others as sentient human beings with rights that must not be violated.
  • Recognising others in the workplace as ends in themselves and never exclusively as means to an end.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities
  • Being able to utilise basic computer skills and abilities that include Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Evaluate and apply business theory and innovative practices from a leadership and entrepreneurship perspective.
  • 2. Develop, implement, and communicate marketing strategy to effectively achieve strategic outcomes.
  • 3. Communicate effectively to build a culture of confidence, integrity, and innovation in an organisational environment.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3
1. KNOWLEDGE Have specialised knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review,analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas
4. SKILLS Have specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate broad functions within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters
10. FOUNDATIONAL KNOWLEDGE sufficient to undertake qualifications
11. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of knowledge in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
12. FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS sufficient to undertake qualifications
13. ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION of skills in new or existing disciplines or professional areas drawn from higher education units
14. Course content drawn from higher education units
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 4 Total credit points: 24

The Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) consists of 4 units worth 6 Credit Points each. All 4 units are compulsory. There are no optional or elective subjects.

Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (Leadership) course structure

Phase # Unit Code Unit Name
Phase 1 - Graduate Certificate 1 BUSN20023 People, Leadership & Culture
2 BUSN20022 Disruption, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
3 BUSN20024 Communication for Leadership Success
4 BUSN20025 Strategic Marketing

N/A

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
BUSN20023 People, Leadership and Culture
BUSN20022 Disruption, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
BUSN20024 Communication for Leadership Success
BUSN20025 Strategic Marketing

N/A

More Details
There is no additional information for this course.