Course Overview
The Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development is a professional, cross-disciplinary course, offered to graduates from all disciplines. The course is designed to serve the needs of those seeking a graduate qualification in international and community development studies for professional or personal reasons. The units examine the historical record of development, the conflicts that have followed the clash between competing cultures, the socioeconomic and policy dimensions of development, and the evolution of thought on the meaning of development, the role of poverty reduction in development and the foundation of sustainable development.

Career opportunities

It is expected that completion of the Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development will place graduates in a favourable position to advance their professional standing. Employment in the development field is expanding rapidly including cognate areas such as teaching, the travel industry, consulting enterprises, journalism, and government and non-government agencies concerned with the flow of trade, services, capital and personnel.

Course Rules

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of International and Community Development, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising: (a) 4 credit points of units including compulsory core ASD704 and ASD705 OR AID733 and AID734 and (b) 4 credit points of electives selected from the specified list of units below

Course Structure

Community Development specialisation

Students wishing to undertake a Community Development specialisation must complete 4 credit points of ASD-coded units, including the core units, ASD704 and ASD705, and 4 credit points of electives from the following list.

Core units

Semester 1

ASD704 Community Development Theory and Practice A  

Semester 2

ASD705 Community Development Theory and Practice B  

International Development Specialisation

Students wishing to undertake an International Development specialisation must complete 4 credit points of AID-coded units including the core units, AID733 and AID734, and 4 credit point of electives listed below.

Core units

Semester 1

AID733 The Economic Development Record  

AID734 Approaches to Political Development  

Electives for both specialisations

Semester 1

AID710 Microfinance for Poverty Reduction  

AID711 Non-government Organisations and Development  

AID717 The Logical Framework Approach to Project Management  

AID733 The Economic Development Record  

AID734 Approaches to Political Development  

AID735 Conflict Resolution and Development  

ASD704 Community Development Theory and Practice A  

ASD711 Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning  

ASD715 Cross Cultural Communication and Practice  

Semester 2

AID712 Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods  

AID713 Aid, Trade and Development  

AID714 Gender and Development  

AID724 Humanitarian Emergencies and Disaster Relief  

AID732 Developing Country Case Study I  *

AID740 Participatory Approaches to Development  

AID742 Political Development in South East Asia  

AID752 International and Community Development Internship  

AID753 International and Community Development Internship  

ASD705 Community Development Theory and Practice B  

ASD710 Submission and Tender Writing  

ASD712 Monitoring and Evaluation  

ASD716 Humanitarian Settlement  

Semester 1 or semester 2

AID721 Professional Practice in Community and International Development Studies  *

* 2 credit points

Admission requirements
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.

In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicants previous academic record.

The minimum requirements are:
(i) successful completion of a three-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an approved university or other educational institution or
(ii) successful completion of other equivalent qualifications gained by examination or
(iii) approved professional or industrial experience

English language requirements - Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate applicants to Deakin University must demonstrate their competence in English by providing certified/notarised documentary evidence of one of the following. Certain courses may require a higher level of English proficiency.

(i) Where the applicant’s first language is English and secondary and/or undergraduate studies were conducted in English, a certified/notarised copy of the applicant’s studies record, clearly indicating that English was the language of instruction, must be supplied.
(ii) An overall band score of 6.5 or better in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test (Academic module) conducted by the British Council/IDP Education Australia office, provided that no individual band score is less that 6.
(iii) A score of 237 or better (essay rating 5) in the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
(iv) Satisfactory completion of a post secondary studies program which is at least two years full time or equivalent within the last five years in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment.
(v) A minimum of three years professional practice in English, and satisfactory completion of study in English language leading to certification by the governing body of the profession.
(vi) Successful completion of an English language program at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) or other English language program deemed to be equivalent to this by the Academic Board.
(vii) Satisfactory completion of the DUELI test of English language competence.
(viii) Other evidence of English language competence deemed acceptable by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

University Profile
More than 40 percent of Deakin students study by distance education.

Deakin has many years' experience in using online technologies to support and enhance the learning experiences of distance education students.

Distance education is an ideal choice for people who do not live near a campus to complete a course; or for people who wish to combine study with their job, as you may choose when and where you study.

Teaching and learning
Off-campus courses are the same as on-campus courses – the only difference is that rather than attend lectures, tutorials and practical classes in person, you study using a variety of other methods.

Deakin Studies Online (DSO)
DSO is Deakin University’s online teaching and learning environment. It delivers web-based course material and assessment tasks and facilitates communication and collaboration between staff and students.

DSO is being implemented as the university-wide learning management system.

Deakin's online environment gives you flexible and convenient access to learning resources and will enrich your learning experiences.

Distance Campus Support - Deakin University Student Association
The Distance Student section of the Deakin University Student Association website is devoted to information tailor-fitted to the needs of off-campus students on what DUSA in general and the Distance Campus Committee (DCC) in particular can do.

The DCC is here to represent YOU if you are a student at Deakin studying off-campus: looking out for your needs, putting you in contact with services, representing you to the University and making themselves available for advice.