Today’s market place for the social venture is overcrowded with competing causes and worthwhile social initiatives seeking sponsorship, grants and the community dollar. Funding good ideas in the social sector and admirable causes is becoming more and more difficult. Innovation and entrepreneurship is now emerging as an imperative for the social sector to seek new ways of sustaining and growing dynamic social and not-for-profit enterprises that support and deliver positive social change to our communities

The Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation is designed for those working in and starting new ventures in the community sectors. It is aimed at those who want to know more about how innovation and entrepreneurship can help the health, wealth and well-being of their not-for-profit organisations and communities.

Key-decision makers who should consider this program include:

• budding social entrepreneurs who are actively planning to set up social enterprises
• those working in not-for-profit organisations who want to engage with innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve improved social outcomes
• those working in government or local authorities with the responsibility to enhance and support the social sector
• social workers, environmental activists, non-profit sector managers, regional economic development officers, arts administrators, indigenous administrators, philanthropists, and/or natural resource managers.

It is expected that prospective students will have good oral presentation skills, an ability to confidently contribute to class discussion and be able to articulate and develop a line of argument.

A 12 unit program, students must complete two core courses to the value of 6 units and two elective courses to the value of 6 units taken from the Graduate Certificates in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management or Science and Technology.

The Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation consists of four courses.  These comprise the following two core courses

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation - examines entrepreneurship as the driver of innovation and the key to managing innovative enterprises and start-ups.

• Social Entrepreneurship - introduces the concept of social entrepreneurship using a range of case examples to reveal best practices, successes and failures, opportunities, and constraints.

 A further two electives are required to complete the degree and these can be selected from the offerings provided by the ECIC for the Graduate Certificate level of study. These can align with your specific interests in innovation and entrepreneurship and cover such topic areas as Social Venture Funding, Opportunity Assessment, Applied Project Management and Foresight and Social Change.

Further all ECIC courses are run on an intensive basis: typically two full days in the classroom, a break of several weeks for assignment projects to be done, concluding with two further full days of face-to-face sessions. The courses in social entrepreneurship will consist mainly of case studies and discussions of assigned reading. There will be no formal lectures.

• Master of Applied Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Advanced)
• Master of Applied Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (continuing students only)
• Graduate Diploma in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Graduates may be interested in starting up their own social ventures, providing high level advice and expertise to government and/or non-government organisations either as employees or advisors.

• Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.
• The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.
• An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.
• Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.  
• A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.
• A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.
• A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.
• An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

• Postgraduate Coursework Program Information Leaflet
• Entrepreneurship, Commericalisation and Innovation Centre
• Postgraduate Scholarships
• University Contact Centre Enquiry Form