Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation GCert.SE&I

2009

Program Outline

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.

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 Project Management or Science & Technology.

Program Structure

The Graduate Certificate consists of four courses:

Social Entrepreneurship Foundations: An introduction to social entrepreneurship, using a wide range of case studies to reveal best practices, successes and failures, opportunities and constraints.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Examines entrepreneurship as the driver of innovation, managing innovative enterprises and start-ups, in a broader context than purely social entrepreneurship.

Social Enterprise Development: This course provides some practical tools and conceptual frameworks for launching a new social venture.

Social Venture Funding: Fundraising and capital raising for social enterprises, and the financial tools used to assess social value, including Triple Bottom Line, Balanced Scorecard, and Social Return on Investment.

Either of the latter two courses may be replaced by any other postgraduate course offered by ECIC, for students with specific interests in other areas of innovation and entrepreneurship.

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 students’ assigned reading. There will be no formal lectures. Further it is possible, to complete this program through distance education.

Related Programs

• 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

Admission Information

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant?

SATAC Code	3GC045
Tuition fees	Australian Full-fee place: $9,000 for 6 months
Mid-year entry?	Yes - part-time only
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Graduate entry only.

You must have a completed Bachelor's degree (or equivalent).

How to Apply

SATAC Code: 3GC045

Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission

Areas of Specialisation

Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Career Opportunities

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.

Graduate Attributes

• 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.

Program Rules

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Further Information

Useful Links

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