Graduate Certificate in Family Violence

Read more about this course

The Graduate Certificate in Family Violence is ideal for both new graduates and experienced practitioners, whether they want to enhance a career within the family violence sector, or simply deepen their understanding of issues relating to domestic and family violence.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Family Violence requires completion of four specialised subjects (two core, two elective).

Indicative workload

Each of the four specialised subjects is delivered over twelve sessions across the semester, with a weekly three-hour class and a further three hours personal study time. Delivery is blended between on campus, online and self-directed sessions. Online only (class attendance via zoom) is available for regional students and others who are unable to travel. There are no placement requirements attached to the Graduate Certificate in Family Violence: prevention and practice.

Semester one
HE-FV001: Friday mornings (over 12 sessions, with two of these self-directed)
HE-FV002: Friday afternoons (over 12 sessions, with two of these self-directed)

Semester two
HE-FV003: delivered on a Thursday evening (6 – 9pm) over 12 sessions, with three of these self-directed
HE-FV004: mostly self-directed, with four online class workshops throughout the semester

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate advanced communication, digital literacy, and interpersonal skills.
Articulate and apply an understanding of the global evidence on the gendered nature of family violence and the broader international health and human rights context.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and frameworks that govern specialist FV practice along with the integrated service system and cross-sector nature of family violence work.
Demonstrate advanced self-reflection of own values and beliefs alongside an awareness of the centrality of the personal, societal and cultural values of others.
Demonstrate advanced communication, digital literacy, and interpersonal skills.
Articulate and apply knowledge of the importance of record keeping and information sharing obligations, including ethical principles.
Illustrate knowledge of local and international resources, responses and reforms in relation to family violence work.

Subjects - Year one

Gender, Power and the StateHE-FV001

Semester one

This subject provides students with a clear understanding of the global evidence base regarding the gendered nature of family violence and violence against women, along with relevant legislation, regulations and frameworks that govern family violence practice. It also explores key terminology and draws on an international health and human rights context. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the key writers, debates and programmatic responses to family violence.

In addition, students will learn to read current trends in the light of historical gendered power dynamics, and the intersectional impacts of social stratification and culture. This includes an understanding of the historical and ongoing oppression and disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With these understandings in place, students will then develop the ability to critically evaluate theoretical underpinnings of current policies and legislative frameworks.

Assessment method:Online quiz, Essays, Presentation

Transition to Higher Education: Academic literaciesHEBCHCS106

Semester one

This subject is a non-credit hurdle requirement designed for students who enter through the diploma and experience course entry. Applicants with prior higher education awards are eligible for credit for this subject.

Family Violence: Primary Prevention and Social CommunicationsHE-FV002

Semester one

In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on the role of primary prevention work in addressing issues of family violence, in particular men's violence against women. Global evidence places gender inequality as the core dynamic, with 'reinforcing factors' such as alcohol, disability, class, race, culture and sexuality.

Using a feminist framework, this subject explores each of these factors, and draws on the vital role of primary prevention in acknowledging and addressing the links between family violence and social structures, norms and behaviours. As such, primary prevention comprises distinct, yet complementary, activities to frontline service delivery.

Throughout the subject, students will be invited to analyse primary prevention policy frameworks and the public health approach, as well as the use of effective social marketing and communications strategies via contemporary resources and initiatives.

Assessment method:Paper, Proposal

Family Violence: Tertiary Prevention and Risk ManagementHE-FV003

Semester two

This subject provides students with the specialised knowledge required to identify, assess and address family violence across multiple sites of professional intervention. A range of responses will be examined, included risk assessment, needs assessment, counselling and case management, together with the importance of record keeping and sharing.

Communication and interpersonal skills will be addressed, along with knowledge and understanding of the values and ethics in practice. Students will explore human behaviour and societal context and be given the opportunity to focus on particular settings and specific client groups. Critical reflection will be utilised, along with mutual inquiry, small group discussion, exercises and role play practice across situations from key areas of family violence work practice with clients from a range of backgrounds and contexts presenting with a variety of complex issues.

Assessment method:Quiz, Essay, Report, Participation

Strategy, Planning and the Integrated Service SystemHE-FV004

Semester two

This subject begins with a broad focus on the history of social change and community organizing regarding family violence, both in Australia and internationally. With this framework in place, students will then explore the key types and concepts of gender-sensitive planning and their role in the management and governance of organisations. Emphasis will be placed on analysing strategies that align with current planning and policy frameworks, and also with inclusive participation in planning and critical analysis of gendered social structures.

A prime focus of the subject is also the integrated service system, from prevention and practice to men’s behaviour change, and including linkages with other sectors such as housing, child protection, police and mental health and AOD. Students will develop an understanding of the differences and divisions that characterise the field and formulate strategies that build on connections within the broader community services sector.

Throughout the subject, students will be encouraged to reflect on their own ideas and worldviews within a shared and constructive framework. Particular attention is paid to intersectionality and the ways that race, class, disability, gender, sexuality, indigeneity and other forms of diversity shape privilege and power.

Assessment method:Participation, Quiz Presentation, Report

Course and career pathways

Nationally recognised training	Diploma Of Counselling	Graduate Certificate in Family Violence
Possible job outcome	counsellor	child protection practitioner senior policy officer case manager specialised family violence worker

Advanced standing

Your current skills, knowledge and experience can help you get a qualification.

Find out about skills recognition and RPL for certificate to advanced diploma courses.

Find out about advanced standing for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and bachelor degree courses.

Admission requirements

Please refer to the course entry requirements document (available above in the course description) for current requirements.

Fees

Indicative total course cost $8,120. Total course cost is indicative based upon the 2024 tuition fee. Any increase in fees for subsequent years is not included in this value. Indicative annual tuition fees of $8,120. Indicative fees are based upon a student enrolling in 100% full time study load and does not reflect if subjects are repeated or advanced standing is granted.

Help with fees

FEE-HELP

At Chisholm, you can get a FEE-HELP loan to help you pay for all or part of the tuition fees for this degree course. Find out more about using FEE-HELP to study now and pay later.

Elevate your career with this industry focused qualification in family violence, specialising in prevention and practice

Gender, Power and the StateHE-FV001

Transition to Higher Education: Academic literaciesHEBCHCS106

Family Violence: Primary Prevention and Social CommunicationsHE-FV002

Family Violence: Tertiary Prevention and Risk ManagementHE-FV003

Strategy, Planning and the Integrated Service SystemHE-FV004