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Postgraduate career changes | Changing your career in 6 months

A graduate certificate could be the missing link between your potential and your reality.
Unisq student standing in front of a tractor outdoors

If your current job isn’t taking you where you want to go, you can change your trajectory easier than you think. The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) can help you fast-track your journey to your dream job with a range of postgrad qualifications that will take you less than a year to complete.

A postgrad qualification such as a graduate certificate could be the missing link between your potential and your reality. Are you ready to take that leap?

What UniSQ postgrad qualification can I complete in 6 months?

Embarking on postgraduate studies often begins with obtaining a graduate certificate. This qualification serves as an ideal beginning into further tertiary education. A graduate certificate can typically take around four to five months of full-time study, making it the perfect opportunity to build on your recent qualifications, add education to help you climb the corporate ladder or make a start towards a career change.

Many students pursuing a graduate certificate already hold an undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor's degree; nevertheless, they also have the option to substitute this with professional work experience. For example, to start a Graduate Certificate of Business, it is a requirement to have completed an Australian university bachelor’s degree in any area, or equivalent or have a minimum of five years’ professional work experience, or equivalent.

Bonus: If you decide to pursue a master’s degree in the future, a graduate certificate could give you a head start – completed units in this qualification may be eligible for course credits. Think of it as a ‘try-before-you-buy’ if you’ve ever been curious about taking the plunge.

Where can a graduate certificate take you?

Postgrad study can help you progress from where you are now to:

  • Deepen your expertise. A graduate certificate provides a unique opportunity to position you for career advancement, promotions, or specialisation in your chosen field.
  • Make seamless career transitions. A graduate certificate is the perfect starting point to make a smooth transition to a new field.
  • Elevate your earning power. Postgrad qualifications = higher earning potential. A short-term investment now can mean a more comfortable future.
  • Expand your network. Networking matters! Connect with professionals, instructors and industry leaders who will help you further your career at every turn.
  • Unlock new opportunities. Stand out in a competitive job market with advanced postgrad skills.
  • Stay flexible with online learning. Your time is precious. With 100% online learning, you can study on your terms - no need to disrupt your life.

Which fields can I study in a UniSQ graduate certificate program?

There are almost endless career paths with a postgraduate qualification. With a graduate certificate, you can be really specific and choose a degree that focuses on your interest or career. Some of our more popular study areas include:

  • Counselling – If a passion for helping others drives you, you can choose from specialisations such as alcohol and drug studies, child, youth and family therapy, foundations of practice, mental health counselling, and more.
  • Nursing – Making a difference in healthcare is within reach, with specialisations including gerontology, leadership and management in health, mental health, rural and remote, public health, and more.
  • Science – If you're naturally curious and driven by a passion for exploration and discovery, you can get your postgrad qualifications in agricultural science, agricultural futures, applied climate science, astronomy, biology, chemistry, environment and sustainability, mathematics and statistics, physics, wine science, and more.

Other options include:

  • Agriculture and environment
  • Arts and humanities
  • Aviation
  • Business and management
  • Education and teaching
  • Engineering
  • Information and communications technology
  • Law and criminology
  • Media and communication
  • Surveying and built environment
  • Visual and performing arts.

You can explore these areas further, including specialisations available within those areas, on our Postgraduate Study page.

How do you enrol at UniSQ?

We've ensured the enrolment process is simple and clear. Simply find the degree you’d like to study, check the application dates and entry requirements, and then apply directly online.

Ready to transform your career?

All life-changing career moves start with a single step. Discover more about how a postgraduate qualification can make your career aspirations a reality, learn about fees and scholarships, and download our postgraduate guide on our Postgraduate Study page.

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