Graduate Diploma of Business Administration

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (GradDipBA) comprises 8 units of study (or subjects). Each unit represents 3 credit points. To fulfil the requirements of the GradDipBA award, you will need to complete a minimum of 24 credit points.

Core Units (5 units)

• BU501 Organisational Behaviour
• BU502 Accounting for Managers
• BU503 Marketing Management
• BU504 Managerial Economics 
• BU673 Organisational Leadership

Electives (3 units)

Select three electives from the following list:

• BU511 Human Resource Management
• BU512 Financial Management
• BU513 Managing Information Systems
• BU616 Quantitative Analysis for Business Decision-Making

Course Duration

One year full-time or longer part-time.

Full-time = minimum of 24 or more credit points (or 8 standard units) in an academic year

Part-time = less than 24 credit points (or 8 standard units) in an academic year

Mode of Study

Face-to-face through lectures, tutorials and seminars, and is supported by Canvas, Sheridan's server-based learning management system. 

Teaching takes place at the Perth CBD campus (Suite 18, 7 Aberdeen St Perth).

Sheridan does not offer a fully online study option for remote students.

Course Workload

A standard GradDipBA unit represents 150 hours of study over a semester, including class contact hours and personal study. 

The 150 hours typically consist of seminars for 36 hours (3 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks) and personal study for 114 hours (7 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks plus 10 hours per week over 3 non-teaching weeks).

If you are a full-time student (ie you are taking 4 units in a semester), you should plan to set aside a total of 12 hours/week for all your formal classes combined and a total of 28-30 hours/week for all your personal study. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Diplomas qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.

Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of current knowledge and professional practice in a range of disciplines of business administration.
• Demonstrate your ability to analyse and synthesise information, concepts and theories from a multi-disciplinary perspective.
• Demonstrate your intellectual independence through the application of critical and creative thinking to the study and/or professional practice of business administration.
• Communicate your advanced understanding of current knowledge and professional practice through prepared presentations and projects in a variety of settings.
• Apply evidence-based technical and creative tools to solve complex problems in theoretical and actual workplace settings.
• Model self-discipline, professional judgment, personal integrity, teamwork and respect for the dignity of individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
• Critically evaluate current and past scholarship and professional practice in the light of contemporary research, workplace practice, and of perspectives grounded in Christian scholarship.

Each unit you take in the Graduate Diploma program will contribute towards the fulfilment of these broader learning outcomes.

Course Specific Requirements

Academic admission pathways into GradDipBA:

• A Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an Australian university or other approved higher education provider with a credit average, and
• Satisfactory evidence demonstrating the equivalent of at least three years relevant full-time professional experience

Work Life Experience

• A higher education diploma from an Australian provider or other approved education provider with a credit average (or equivalent), and
• Satisfactory evidence demonstrating the equivalent of at least five years relevant work experience and is assessed by the Dean as being able to successfully complete the program and make a positive contribution to the learning environment 

Applicants who do not have a credit average must submit a 1000-word statement demonstrating their suitability for the program to be reviewed by the Academic English Lecturer and the Dean.

Course Guide

Graduate Diploma of Business Administration