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Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificates
Upgrade your nursing career with ACN
Are you ready to upgrade your nursing career? The Australian College of Nursing has graduate certificates designed to upskill, upgrade and uplift you.
At ACN, we offer a diverse range of 20 postgraduate courses that will help you unlock new opportunities, enhance your clinical knowledge, and connect with a supportive nursing community. With our flexible, part-time, and online programs, we make it easier than ever to balance your work and study commitments.
What sets us apart? Unlike a university, we focus exclusively on nursing education. All our courses are written by expert nurses, for nurses. This means you will receive a relevant, practical education that will prepare you for the real world.
We understand the demands of nursing and your need for flexibility. That’s why our graduate certificates are designed to accommodate your busy schedule, offering an online delivery mode and part-time study options.
Elevate your nursing career today, with ACN by your side, every step of the way.
ACN education in numbers
93.8%
of graduates find employment
74
years’ of experience delivering higher education
20
Graduate Certificates
6,500+
students graduated since 2012
170
expert tutors and nurse educators
69
Single Units of Study
Explore ACN's Graduate Certificates
With a diverse selection of 20 graduate certificates, you can specialise in the specific area that aligns with your career aspirations.
Learn more about courses and studying at ACN in our 2024 Course Guide
Why study with ACN
*The ACN Member discount cannot be applied to the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry).
Career outcomes
Nurses make up the largest proportion of the healthcare workforce. As the demand for registered nurses is projected to grow by 13.9% by 2026, opportunities for clinical nurse educators, specialists, and managers will surge. There is no better time than now to upskill and pave the way for a rewarding and secure career!
Hear from past students
Graduate Certificate attributes
Get valuable industry skills with a competitive edge. ACN supports our students to graduate with the following attributes:
1
Demonstrate enhanced professional, social and ethical understanding in a specialist area of practice.
2
Apply complex problem solving and information literacy skills to the development of evidence-based practice, research and policy reform.
3
Engage in behaviour that is culturally appropriate, safe and sensitive to the needs of people in their care.
4
Demonstrate an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal values, culture and knowledge to build trust and improve health outcomes.
5
Combine advanced communication skills with an awareness of global health determinants to independently and collaboratively lead and educate others.
6
Reflect and think critically to be better able to care for self, improve health outcomes, and influence safe and effective professional practice.
Not ready to commit to a Graduate Certificate? Consider completing one of our 60 Single units of study to test the waters.
Financial support
*The ACN Member discount cannot be applied to the Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry).
Want to quickly accrue CPD hours? ACN offers a range of online and face-to-face courses in our CPD Centre.
We’re here to help you every step of the way
For general information please contact:
Customer Services
t: (02) 9745 7500
e: customerservices@acn.edu.au
More information
General information
Important dates
Clinical placements
Postnominals
Frequently asked questions
- A Graduate Certificate typically requires the completion of 4 units (equivalent to 6 months of full-time study) or 24 credit points.
- A Graduate Diploma generally involves 8 units (equivalent to 1 year of full-time study) or 48 credit points.
- A Graduate Certificate is an entry-level postgraduate qualification, offering foundational knowledge in a specific area. It's often used for career advancement, upskilling, or transitioning to a new field. It is ideal for those seeking to enhance specific skills or qualifications without committing to a longer program. While a Graduate Diploma builds on the foundational knowledge of a Graduate Certificate, providing a deeper understanding and more advanced skills in the subject area.
- A Graduate Diploma is more expensive than a Graduate Certificate because it involves completing twice the number of units.
Each unit is worth 6 credit points, with a total of 24 credit points for the course.
You need to complete four units to obtain a Graduate Certificate.
A Graduate Certificate includes four units. The total cost depends on the Tier levels of the units. For example, a course with three Tier 1 units and one Tier 2 unit in 2025 will cost $10,680. Members receive a 10% discount on course fees.
Learn more about membership, its benefits and how to join.
Each unit has a different cost, indicated by its Tier level. You can find the specific fee amounts for each Tier level in the fee schedule.
Once you have receive the offer letter and accepted the place, you will receive the invoice for the unit fees. You can pay via bank transfer (details provided in the invoice) or by calling (02) 9745 7500 during business hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm) to pay over the phone.
No, Commonwealth Supported Places are not offered for Graduate Certificate courses. However, FEE-HELP is available for eligible applicants. To see if you are eligible for FEE-HELP, please go the Australian government Study Assist website.
No, Graduate Certificate courses and single units of study have fixed start dates. There are four terms per year: January, April, July, and October. Check the Important Dates section on the website for details.
The course is typically completed in one year (one unit per term. If you would like to take leave during your study, you can take up to three consecutive terms of leave if you have enrolled in at least one unit. However, you must finish the course within two years.
No, there are no exams. The course and assessments are delivered online. Please note some courses may require mandatory in-class attendance or (off-site) clinical placements. For more details, please see individual course pages.
No, once you are enrolled in the course, you can access the online learning platform anytime to access the course material, offering flexibility for students balancing work and family commitments. However, assessments are only available during specific periods and must be completed within the allocated timeframe. The online course is supported by course coordinators, unit coordinators, tutors, and library staff, who offer access to resources such as books, journals, and databases.
Note: The Graduate Certificate in Nursing (Re-entry) is an exception and has both mandatory on-campus classes as well as clinical placements.
