GCREP Graduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation for Practice

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation for Practice equips professionals to bridge the gap between research theory and real-world application. Designed for those in fields such as education, social work, and policy, the program focuses on developing skills to evaluate and improve programs and policies. Students will learn to conduct ethical, reflexive research, apply both qualitative and quantitative methods, and communicate findings to stakeholders. By the end, participants will be prepared to design meaningful research that drives sustainable, evidence-based change in their professional settings.

The course can only be taken part-time.

Course offerings

Bedford Park

Flinders

Courses / qualifications may not be offered in all locations and modes each year. For more information on Mode of Delivery, visit Mode definitions

Student guidance

Study planner

Program of study overview

Program of study notes

Program of study
18 Units

Year 118 Units

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Aims

The Graduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation for Practice aims to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application, equipping practitioners with essential research skills to evaluate and improve policies and programs effectively. This program is designed to empower professionals working with people (such as Educators, Social Workers, Psychologists, Community Workers, Human Resource Managers, and Senior Policy Officers) to conduct meaningful research that drives sustainable change and enhances service delivery.

Key aims of the course include:

Develop Practice Relevant Research Skills: Equip practitioners with the ability to critically analyse, interpret, and apply scientific research to real-world practice, ensuring they can evaluate and improve policies and programs effectively.
Bridge Theory and Practice: Address the disconnect between academic research and practical application by providing skills that are directly applicable to work settings, focusing on real-world outcomes and stakeholder needs.
Incorporate Ethical and Reflexive Practices: Foster ethical and reflexive research practices that acknowledge power dynamics and positionality, ensuring research aligns with the needs and contexts of the people it aims to serve.
Design and Conduct Meaningful Research: Enable practitioners to design and execute research studies and small-scale projects that produce relevant and actionable outcomes, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Communicate for Impact: Develop the ability to effectively communicate research and evaluations findings to stakeholders including implications for practice and policy.

Student progression rules

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or in 9 units or more, may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.