Take an important role in community development. Get involved in social change, human rights and sustainable development at a global or local level.

You’ll gain expertise in key community development theories, building your knowledge and skills in these main areas:

• critical consciousness and ethics of development
• community development project design and management
• participatory research and evaluation
• globalisation and social movements
• leadership in community development
• impacts of Trump and Brexit on governance of international organisations
• conflict resolution and peace-building.

You’ll develop valuable real-world experience. We offer on-site learning and deep engagement with communities and experts in the field. Our agreements with other universities and NGOs, such as the National University of Timor Leste (UNTL), provide benefits that include a study tour to East Timor.

This diploma is the second stage of three courses in our graduate program. Successful completion leads into our Master of International Community Development.

Our community research focus

VU offers expertise and guidance in several specialised research areas. Progressing to our masters or higher research degree (doctorate) will bring you into contact with our vibrant and innovative research community.

Related research themes include community resilience, live able and inclusive cities, cultural diversity and wellbeing, and community, identity and displacement.

The Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network (CIDRN) promotes research into displacement, identity, community and change, focused on Melbourne’s west.

Our Centre for Cultural Diversity & Wellbeing (CCDW) conducts research relating to cultural diversity and resilience, social wellbeing, and approaches to reducing social harms in local and global contexts.

Progress to the masters degree

If you’re aiming for a leadership, management or public-policy role, our Master of International Community Development will give you the qualifications and skills to get there.

VU offers flexible study options, with courses designed to lead into one another. Completing the Graduate Certificate in International Community Development gains you credit towards this diploma.

Once you’ve successfully completed our diploma, you’ll gain entry, and credits, to the Master of International Community Development – and you’ll already be half way to completing the full masters degree.

Careers in community development

Graduates of this course work in many related areas, including international humanitarian work and development aid.

Career possibilities include:

• international and regional consultant in human rights, gender, poverty reduction and project evaluation
• project manager with international, government and local organisations such as Australian Red Cross, Save the Children, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre
• leaders and advisers in government
• community development educator and trainer
• journalist
• activist
• academic and researcher.

Course structure

To attain the Graduate Diploma in International Community Development students will be required to complete 96 credit points (equivalent to 8 units) consisting of the following:

• 72 credit points (equivalent to 6 units) of Core studies
• 24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Elective studies.