Graduate Certificate of Social Impact

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Social Impact is designed for professionals looking for career advancement in the philanthropy, not-for-profit, social enterprise, social innovation and entrepreneurship sector. Learn the skills required to lead people effectively in a changing social economy and develop innovative responses to complex social and business problems. Upon graduating, students can seek jobs within the commercial and public sectors.

Aims and objectives

There is an evident growth in community concern about the consequences for the community – positive and negative – of the interplay of business, private wealth and philanthropy, and government. Lately the term ‘social impact’, alongside such others as ‘the social economy’, social entrepreneurship, and social enterprises, has been employed to recognise these interactions.

The growing economic importance of the not-for-profit sector and rising levels, and new forms, of corporate community investment are not yet reflected adequately in the teaching and resourcing of management education in Australia. At the same time the dynamism of the market needs to be directed toward social innovation.

These forces, and the rethinking required by the global economic crisis, require that business leaders of today and tomorrow be equipped with academic support in integrating the goals of an inclusive and sustainable global economy into their corporate behaviours. New skills must be available to those who seek a leadership career in business, social enterprises, community agencies; for those, already in the sector, who wish to enhance their skills; to those who wish to contribute their commitment and experience in a voluntary capacity to the governance of not-for-profit institutions; and to donors, philanthropists and social investors. Themes covered include knowledge of the creation of social value, the dynamics of social enterprise, the foundations of social innovation and the measurement of social impact. At completion of the Graduate Certificate of Social Impact, graduates will be able to:

• apply coherent and advanced knowledge of social impact in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
• apply problem solving, design and decision making to methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and use basic tools and practices of social impact within project work
• demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and an awareness of professional practices and cultural practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context.

Career opportunities

Leadership positions in the developing fields of social impact, social innovation, social investment and social entrepreneurship.

Graduate skills

The Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be:

• capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
• entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• effective and ethical in work and community situations
• adaptable and able to manage change
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing.