Professional Development
The Graduate Certificate in University Management (GCUM) is a graduate-level award program which prepares participants for senior administrative and academic management roles. The course is designed to develop transferable leadership and management skills in addition to knowledge of the complexities of the policy and organisational frameworks of higher education.
The GCUM combines research-based theoretical seminars and discussions, guided by experienced higher education researchers, with practical exercises that are directly applicable to participants' University work roles. The program situates the issues specific to the University of Melbourne within the broader national and international contexts of higher education.
The approaches to teaching and learning in the course emphasise teamwork and group learning as well as self-directed learning. The course allows participants to learn from each other's experiences. Assessment tasks are designed to be useful to individuals, and relevant to their particular University work environment.
The GCUM will provide participants with the knowledge and skill required for career paths involving leadership and management in higher education. Completion of the course is valuable for building an evidence base toward performance appraisal and promotion.
The GCUM is available to University of Melbourne staff only. The University invites applications for sponsorship, which may cover half or all of the course fees (see below).
Course structure
Offered on a part-time basis over two years, the course involves regular, weekly classes of two hours held on the Parkville campus. The timetable is designed to be integrated with the work commitments of staff holding full-time positions.
The program consists of 4 subjects, with participants enrolled in one subject per semester over two years.
Classes for Year 1 subjects in 2012 will be held on Thursdays, 4.15-6.15pm.
Understanding Higher Education (EDUC90518) – Semester 1 (Year 1)
Leading and Managing in a University (EDUC90142) - Semester 2 (Year 1)
Strategy and Planning in Higher Education (EDUC90519) - Semester 1 (Year 2)
Issues in Higher Education Management (EDUC90577) - Semester 2 (Year 2) or another, approved elective*.
*An alternative elective subject may be undertaken as the final unit, by negotiation (see Handbook).
In special circumstances, permission may be given for candidates to take some units simultaneously.
Eligibility
To be eligible for selection into the GCUM, applicants must have:
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Completed a bachelors degree (in any discipline), or equivalent;
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At least two years work experience in a university or other post-secondary education institution or equivalent;
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Current employment at the University of Melbourne (full-time or part-time); and
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The support of the Head of Department and Dean for participation.
In addition to the general eligibility criteria above, applicants for a sponsored place must:
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Have a minimum of one year full-time work experience at the University of Melbourne or pro rata if part-time (for example, two years at 0.5 EFT);
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Be considered competent in their current role; and
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Have the support of the Head of Department and Dean for sponsorship.
Fees and sponsorship
The fees for the Graduate Certificate in University Management total $12,896. This is comprised of four subjects (all classified as management) at $3,224 per subject.
The University of Melbourne is pleased to invite applications from eligible staff for sponsored places. Sponsorship from the University, centrally, will cover 50% of the course fee for up to 20 participants annually*. In most cases, sponsored participants' departments will cover the other half of the fee. Where this is not possible, individuals pay the remainder.
Applications for a sponsored place will be evaluated against the following selection criteria:
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Potential to contribute to the University in a leadership role;
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Ability to apply learning to the work situation;
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Potential to succeed academically in the course; and
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Capacity to maintain a commitment to part-time study over two years.
Staff who are selected for sponsorship for the full course will enrol in two core subjects in the first year of the course. The fees will be paid as follows each year:
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The University will pay $3,224
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The staff member's department (or the individual staff member) will pay $3,224
(This fee-waive will not be subject to Fringe Benefits Tax. For details about Fringe Benefits Tax and HECS fees see the University's Financial Policy and Procedures Manual).
The University will continue sponsorship for participants who satisfy the following conditions:
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Continued employment at the University of Melbourne;
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Attendance at 80 per cent or more of sessions; and
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Successful completion of each subject.
*In addition, sponsorship is available for up to four places in single subjects through the Community Access Program.
Selection
Up to twenty participants will be sponsored by the University to complete the program. Once sponsored places have been selected, additional places will be open to other staff on a fee–paying basis. For sponsored places, priority will be given to:
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Full-time university administrators with a high level of responsibility;
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Staff who have strong support from their Dean or Head of Department; and
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Staff who demonstrate a strong personal desire and commitment to enhance their management skills.
Admission to the GCUM will be determined by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.
Application process
There is a single intake each year, with applications called for in October of the preceding year. Selection takes place in December, and applicants are advised of the outcome no later than end January.
Applications for the 2012 intake close 9 December 2011.
Please contact GCUM Course Coordinator: Dr Emmaline Bexley email: bexleye@unimelb.edu.au or telephone: 8344 8436 if you have further questions about the course or application process.
Related information:
Melbourne Teaching Certificate, a single-semester program for University staff involved in teaching.
Graduate Certificate in University Teaching, an award course for University staff involved in teaching.