Graduate Certificate
School of Arts & Sciences
The Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies covers a range of significant and contemporary areas of study. The program covers Aboriginal history, spirituality, culture, politics, and issues surrounding the principles and practices of reconciliation. It may lead to or enrich careers in community and youth work, justice, education, local, state and federal government departments, health care and health promotion and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
At a glance
A Bachelor's degree from a recognised Australian or overseas university or equivalent, plus alternative pathways for those with relevant work experience.
While the Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies will be of particular value to those already working with Indigenous communities, this program also provides a useful background for anyone whose career in health promotion, medicine, justice, education or social work brings them into contact with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. In particular, this degree will be of great value for anyone working in local, state or federal government - or indeed staff employed by NGOs in Australia.
The Graduate Certificate is a part-time program, with four courses completed over the year. All students are required to undertake a course entitled The Silent History. This provides you with a foundational knowledge of the history of Indigenous Australia, as well as how various government policies have affected the lives of Indigenous Australians.
The remaining three electives allow you to specialise in topics such as Aboriginal People and the Legal System, the role of the media in representing Indigenous Peoples, Aboriginal culture and spirituality and more. To encourage a genuine understanding of Indigenous cultures, students will have the opportunity to spend time at Notre Dame's Broome Campus.
You will be mentored by well-known and highly respected Indigenous facilitators, who have previously included Yawuru man and WA Senator, Patrick Dodson; Peter Yu, a Yawuru man from Broome with more than 35 years' experience in Indigenous affairs and advocacy; and Traditional Owners from both Yawuru Country (Broome) and Karajarri Country (just south of Broome).
The Graduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies requires the completion of four courses which can be studied in one year, or up to a maximum five years. Students are required to undertake one compulsory core Aboriginal Studies course, ABOR5000 The Silent History, and three additional elective courses.
ABOR5000 The Silent History is delivered as a face-toface intensive session over 8 days at the Broome Campus. This course is not offered online due to the valuable learning and understanding that students gain from the on-Country experience which cannot be replicated in an online environment. It includes an overnight camping trip with Karajarri Rangers and Traditional Owners.
Most students who come to Broome in June for ABOR5000 also stay on to complete the elective course ABOR5010 The Cultural and Spiritual Life of Aboriginal People over a further 5 days. This course is also not offered online.
Students doing both ABOR5000 and ABOR5010 in the 2 week Broome intensive program need to study a further two electives to complete the program. The two electives can be chosen from the following online courses, via weekly webinar lectures and group discussions:
A further self-directed, literature-based research project is also available to those who have completed at least two other courses and who have a particular area of research that interests them. This course, ABOR5250 Special Projects, is completed independently, with regular supervisor meetings across semester 1 or 2.
Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Regulations.
Please note: The availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.