Study online in your own time. Qualifications identical to those received on campus. Enrol now.

Course Overview

Employment and welfare are guaranteed fire-starter topics. The questions they raise are complex, wide-ranging, contentious, sensitive, politicised - and often over-simplified and poorly understood. Welfare recipients are common targets of political opportunism, vilification and marginalisation. And to make matters worse, they tend to be politically under-represented, financially over-burdened and socially immobile, with minimal access to mainstream media.

With the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research, you can contribute directly to the lives of welfare recipients. You can help foster understanding of their needs, and help develop and implement policies to address them.

Combining theory and practice in equal, real-world measure, this course enables you to build on any undergraduate degree and develop a conceptual understanding and practical skills across a range of areas, all of which are career essentials.

What You Will Learn with the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research

After completing the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research, you'll be able to constructively contribute to applied social research projects and policy development. Subjects include:

• Qualitative and basic quantitative social research methods
• Research design
• Evaluation
• Reflective and critical social analysis of contemporary policy issues, social policy and the policy process

Back to top

What the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research Can Do for You

Social research and policy expertise are valuable assets in a wide variety of careers, in both the public and private sectors. You may choose to pursue a career in:

• Community-based organisations
• Non-government service organisations
• Policy agencies in government
• Trade unions
• Local government
• Marketing and social research
• Private consultancy
• Policy analysis and planning
• Social and community services
• Human services
• Public opinion
• Teaching in the field of social science
• Activism
• Social justice / social policy advocate
• Journalism

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant about the Graduate Certificate in Policy and Applied Social Research distance learning course and study options.

Getting Started Not sure where to begin? This course includes units that allow you to start learning and build your study skills and confidence, while keeping your degree options open. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant now for unit recommendations and to discuss your particular requirements.

Set Your Own Timetable Studying with OUA has allowed me to complete my degree without stopping work - the flexibility is great. Belinda M

Back to top

Course Structure Total units: 4 Course Units Work and Employment Social Care and Human Services Economy and Society