Graduate Certificate of Design

User Research introduces students to the tools and methodologies required for both user research and user experience research. Students will use various research methods such as surveys, interviews and observations to provide insights to user needs, behaviours and attitudes.

As part of their research students will define research objectives, recruit participants, create research protocols, analyse data, and report on their findings. This includes the use of personas and usability testing for greater insights and understanding of user needs and attitudes.

Students will consolidate and present their research findings to inform the future development of a UX design project.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Presentation, Research Plan

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject develops conceptual and practical knowledge and skills in experience design for digital products and services. Students will use common experience design methods and tools to analyse user needs. Students will work through the design process to improve and refine the user experience in relation to the requirements of a specific client brief. Throughout this subject students will develop their knowledge and skillset to design usable and user-centred experiences.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Design Prototype, Journal

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject covers the scoping, planning, design and delivery of a multi-platform user experience design project. Students will be introduced to agile project management methodologies, iterative design and the use of scenario or story-based analysis. These processes will inform the design and development of projects for multi-platform outcomes. In addition, students will develop and extend their knowledge of usability testing and validation processes in order to resolve a comprehensive user experience plan across multiple digital platforms.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Presentation, Design Prototype, Video

Delivery Mode: Online

This subject introduces you to how organisational behaviour, politics, dynamics and environments impact on the role and legitimacy of management. Constraints that managers and emerging leaders face in developing strategies to leverage advantages and overcome barriers in organisations and projects will be explored. You will identify, analyse and make effective decisions to resolve people-related issues, lead and manage change, facilitate employee development, performance and sustain effective teams in complex and diverse global operating environments

Assessment Tasks: Critical Discussion, Presentation, Report, Team Performance Evaluation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject introduces you to the practice of contemporary project management and its relevance in industry. You will be introduced to fundamental concepts of project management, project definition and project delivery methods. Contemporary project management methodologies will be examined in the context of industry best practice. An overview of industry standard tools and techniques required to manage projects successfully throughout a project life cycle will be provided. This includes industry terminology and the rationale behind the commencement of a project.

Assessment Tasks: Discussion Forum, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject is focused on how company managers/leaders make decisions relating to obtaining finance, making investments, and managing working capital. You will interpret and apply information available from the company’s financial records to inform strategy. This subject will equip you with knowledge and skills that will aid financial decision making. You will learn how to apply tools such as financial statement analysis, capital budgeting, and cost and budget management techniques.

Assessment Tasks: Test, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online 

Are there many applications in business that don’t require programming? This subject explores programming and equips you with the skills to create applications that address business requirements. Throughout the subject, you will gain proficiency in using a graphical representation technique, i.e., flowchart, which will enable you to design, analyse, and optimise software solutions. Furthermore, you will learn how to use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to create, test, and run programs while applying object-oriented concepts to effectively solve organizational problems. By the end of the subject, you will understand the object-oriented paradigm, allowing you to assess and apply business requirements in real-world scenarios.

Assessment Tasks: Test programming, Business case study

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

21st Century professionals who aspire to hold a leadership position must have a clear understanding and appreciation of the importance of marketing. This subject is designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of marketing theories and the strategic application of marketing concepts in various contexts, including profit and not-for- profit organisations, and government. You will be equipped with the ability to formulate marketing strategy and the use of strategic marketing mix elements in developing and maintaining a market orientation. Assess organisational performance in relation to ethical and socially acceptable business practices and use strategic marketing to gain a competitive advantage.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Presentation, Marketing Plan

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online 

This subject introduces you to the foundations of business. It is focused on providing fundamental business concepts and contexts to enrich your mastery in subsequent studies, while developing as reflective practitioners. You will examine the functional operations of businesses, projects and the internal and external environments in which they operate. This includes analysis of economic, social, political, legal, cultural, technological, environmental and ethical influences on contemporary businesses. You will also explore the viewpoints and influences of internal and external stakeholders.

Assessment Tasks: Reflection, Report, Video Presentation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject seeks to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to succeed as an ethical entrepreneur or intrapreneur. These knowledge and skills are then applied to identify and evaluate innovative high-growth product and service opportunities in the context of a start-up, a corporation, a not for profit or a government institution. The subject allows students to practice skills, including creativity, cash-flow modelling, business model analysis and lean experimentation. Students prepare a business model for a new venture, enabling them to integrate their theoretical and practical knowledge.

Assessment Tasks: Case Study, Business Concept Plan, Business Pitch

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online 

Understanding organisational behaviour, politics, dynamics and environments and how they impact on the role and legitimacy of the management function is the core of this unit. This unit helps individuals understand the constraints they face as managers and emerging leaders and how they can develop strategies to leverage advantages and overcome constraints and barriers in their organisations. The unit also focuses on developing some of the advanced communication skills necessary in management and leadership roles, and the ability of the individual to influence others. The course introduces students to the concept of naturally occurring data and qualitative analysis.

We recommend you complete this subject towards the beginning of your MBA. The unit challenges you to think differently about your organisational experiences, to look at them through a variety of lenses, and to explore different ways by which you can influence people within the organisation and have an impact through your function as a manager. A key skill underpinning this is the ability to receive and respond to feedback, to look at data in a number of different ways to find alternative meanings and create different patterns of behaviour. The book ‘Images of Organisation’ explores the notion of the organisation through a range of metaphors; by exploring these metaphors you can gain different insights into your organisation and start to play with different interpretations and understandings of how we experience the world.

Contracts and Procurement are integral to successful project management. This subject introduces you to the procurement process of Project Management pertaining to purchases and acquisitions, requests for proposal, vendor selection, contract administration, and contract closure.  You will receive instruction in how to approach key issues with regard to short and long‐term contracts, and small and large contracts. Topics covered include the exploration of procurement strategies, responsiveness, and supplier‐client relationships. You will be exposed to understanding the tendering, bidding and order management processes with associated relevant legal and commercial implications. Also examined is the management of relationship between buyer and seller, assessment of vendor performance, contract change control, and conflict resolution.

Assessment Tasks: Discussion Forum, Report, Presentation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Understanding the relationships between operational factors and projects is a core skill to be effective in the project management landscape. This subject focuses on an in-depth understanding in project planning and budgeting. The project planning emphasises developing effective management plans for scope, time, cost, resources and quality to deliver successful projects. You will critically analyse and apply appropriate tools, techniques, processes and methods to create different plans and effectively communicate them to diverse groups of stakeholders.

Assessment Tasks: Discussion Forum, Reports

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online