Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Care of the Older Person

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code I68

The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Care of the Older Person prepares healthcare professionals to enhance the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older people through strengths-based, person-centred, and evidence-informed practice. Grounded in the principles of healthy ageing, the course explores the opportunities and challenges associated with ageing, including chronic disease, complexity, and the changing health and social care needs of older people. Graduates will be equipped to lead practice change, respond to complex healthcare challenges, and contribute to sustainable models of care that support older people, their families, and communities in an increasingly complex and technology-enabled healthcare environment.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply research evidence and evidence-based practice principles to inform safe, person- and family-centred nursing practice in a specialised context, fostering critical curiosity and a commitment to ongoing evidence-informed practice improvement.
2. Analyse complex clinical evidence and health data to apply a holistic evidence-informed approach to clinical reasoning and decision-making to respond to common and emerging practice issues across a range of specialised contexts.
3. Communicate and collaborate with individuals, families and communities to support equitable, inclusive, culturally responsive and sustainable models of nursing care that promote social justice in diverse interprofessional practice settings
4. Apply specialised, evidence-informed approaches to address complex health needs through responsive care, health promotion, or quality improvement within a chosen area of practice, while developing professional capability and supporting ongoing growth.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

• Bachelor degree; or
• Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have a Bachelor degree; or equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience, and all applicants must also submit a current curriculum vitae including two professional references.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate Award.

Course Duration

• Part Time: 1 Year

Course Delivery

• Online: Part Time

Course Coordinator

Dr Minh NGUYEN

Course Structure

This is a Programmatic Learning course. This Course uses a mix of Learning Units and Assessment Units which all connect together.

• Learning Units are where students develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities through regular activities and feedback.
• Assessment Units are where students integrate, apply and demonstrate that learning.

Students will collect evidence of learning in a digital portfolio that charts their course journey, and can be used as a showcase to employers.

^ Core Option
* Assessment Unit