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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

302117 v.3 Graduate Certificate in Diabetes

GradCertDiabEd(Curtin)

This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas



Course Overview

Graduate certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


The Graduate Certificate in Diabetes provides student with an applied foundation in biological and behavioural sciences, principles of teaching and learning, chronic disease self-management education and best practice management of diabetes. Graduates will have the capacity to advance diabetes education and guide clinical practice in their discipline specific area. Theory and practice is integrated through partnerships with the School of Nursing and Midwifery and health care facilities.


Professional Recognition

Accreditation of the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes with the Australian Diabetes Educator Association (ADEA) has been granted for 2009-2014. Eligible health professionals graduating from this course will be able to use this award towards an applicationfor credentialing with ADEA. Refer to http://www.adea.com.au for further details.


Career Opportunities

Generally graduates from this course, who have a clinical based health or allied health professional background, may gain employment in the fieldof diabetes education and care. Graduates who are eligible for ADEA credentialing may be better placed to achieve designated diabetes educator positions. Graduates from this course, who do not have a health professional background may gain employment in an allied field, for example diabetes research.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Other course related expenses are associated with clinical practice, these include the costs incurred for criminal record screening and clearance, working with children clearance and Immunisation requirements.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


Specifically, prospective students must have a bachelor degree in a relevant clinical based health or allied health field or in a related area OR a registered nurse, an enrolled nurse or an Aboriginal health worker may gain entry into the course based on professional and educational experiences; a minimum of 12 months postgraduate experience in a specialist area of practice; current health professional registration / accreditation; complete criminal record screening and clearance, working with children clearance and immunisation protocols.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants who wish to enrol in the Master of Science (Diabetes) must have completed the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes or other university/industry equivalent. Students completing Diabetes Professional Practice 514 are required to comply with criminal record screening and clearance, working with children clearance and immunisation protocols.



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


This course can be studied in the external (on-line) study mode only. Students studying part-time must complete Diabetes Education 511, Living with Diabetes 512 and Chronic Conditions of Self-Management 513 before undertaking Diabetes Professional Practice 514. As part of Diabetes Professional Practice 514 students are required to undertake a clinical practicum in one or more clinical settings.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply theoretical knowledge to provide evidence based care and management to people with diabetes

2. enact problem solving, critical thinking and decision making skills to respond to clinical and professional challenges in diabetes care

3. locate, extract and interpret relevant evidence and scientific literature to inform decision making relevant to diabetes self-management

4. demonstrate quality written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in academic, professional and health care contexts

5. use information technology to inform on-going learning needs and evidence based practice; use technology applications to support client care

6. use lifelong learning skills to maintain currency of practice

7. recognise the national and global diabetes issues and examine strategic health care directions

8. demonstrate cultural competence in the provision of diabetes related care to multi-cultural groups and the Indigenous people

9. engage in health care settings, demonstrating foundation level skills and behaviours based on the physical, psychological, social, political, environmental and cultural perspectives of health and disease and perform in an ethical manner appropriate to the scope of practice of the individual's profession; work in multidisciplinary teams to support diabetes self-management


Duration and Availability

This course is one semester full-time study or generally two semesters (one year) part-time study. There is a semester one and semester two intake for this course.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1       Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2       Y  

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
311572 v.1   Living with Diabetes 512 4.0 25.0
311573 v.1   Diabetes Mellitus 511 4.0 25.0
  50.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311574 v.1   Chronic Condition Self-Management 513 4.0 25.0
311576 v.1   Diabetes Professional Practice 514 4.0 25.0
  50.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.