Graduate Certificate in Social Impact
| Social is the new green Social Impact ... Social Enterprise ... Social Investment ... Social Innovation Applications are now open for the new Graduate Certificate in Social Impact. We are living in an exciting new world which is changing around us. Are you equipped to understand how to operate in it? The four subject Graduate Certificate in Social Impact focuses on building the professional capacity of social managers and entrepreneurs of the future, across the corporate, government and third (not-for-profit) sectors. |
Introduction
The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact focuses on building the professional capacity of social managers and entrepreneurs of the future, across the corporate, government and third (not-for-profit) sectors.
This enhances their capacity to lead organisations creating social and environmental value and ability to operate in a changed cross-sector social landscape where the dynamism of the market is also directed at social innovation.
The Graduate Certificate in Social Impact is offered by the Centre for Social Impact in partnership with three founding partner business schools: Melbourne Business School, the Australian School of Business at UNSW and Swinburne University of Technology's Faculty of Business and Enterprise.
Students will learn how to weigh the effects of their actions on society, not just investors. They will develop critical thinking on leadership and be equipped to re-imagine markets to generate additional social and environmental benefits. Students will emerge from the Graduate Certificate with enhanced networks and a well-rounded understanding of the issues surrounding:
• social impact
• an appreciation of the important role that each sector has to play in the delivery of social impact
• an understanding of the social innovation that can occur at the intersection of the sectors.
The Third Sector
The ‘third sector' embraces enterprises operating between profit-driven corporations at one end of the spectrum and charities at the other. They meet social needs and create social value, but use entrepreneurship and market tools to get them there. Many are ‘not-for-profits' but there are also plenty of businesses running projects generating social or environmental returns, and not only at the welfare end of the spectrum.
For a social entrepreneur the difference is in the bottom line. Social entrepreneurs and enterprises use conventional business models to deliver social or environmental returns. They create ‘markets with meaning' and pursue ‘profits with social purpose'.
Who is this program for?
The Graduate Certificate is designed for a new generation of leaders:
• Those who seek a leadership career in social enterprises, and those already in the sector who wish to enhance their professional capacity to create social and environmental value through leadership of third sector (not-for-profit) organisations
• Those who aspire to hold executive positions in companies which are committed to maximising social benefit and meeting corporate responsibilities through their products and practices;
• Those who wish to become senior public administrators working with community groups, or public service executives with a responsibility for developing the public policy framework; and
• Those individuals and foundations that seek to ensure that their social investment is applied to greatest social impact.
Career prospects
Graduates will be equipped to operate in leadership positions in the changing social economy that arises from the interaction of business, social enterprises, government (and its public service agencies), philanthropic foundations and community-based organisations. The cross sector understanding and enhancement of leadership and management skills gained through the Graduate Certificate enables graduates working in any of these sectors to further their careers. Research shows that both recruiters and prospective employers increasingly value cross-sector experience.
Learn about the scholarships on offer.
 | Take the first step and register for an information session |
Interviews are held regularly in Australian capital cities and are conducted internationally for overseas applicants. If there is no upcoming information session scheduled for your region please contact the Admissions Office to discuss an interview.
