Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness

Please note that this course is no longer accepting new students.

Students wishing to study a Graduate Certificate should consider the agribusiness stream within the Master of Agricultural Sciences (MC-AGSC).

The orientation of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness is towards managers or professionals in agribusiness operations, ranging from large multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises. The course is designed to take into account both current and anticipated future industry needs. The course is specifically designed to equip participants with core business competencies and skills, an understanding of innovation and to develop their leadership potential.

Direct industry involvement has been sought in the design and to in the delivery of the program. Industry professionals are critical to the success of such a program. Successful applicants will benefit from a focused learning environment involving international university partners, interacting regularly with other students, academic staff, and industry mentors and from active, extensive networking through the annual residential program and electronic assignments, tutorials and frequent online interaction.

If a student successfully completes the four subjects required for the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness (with a 65% average) the student may then be eligible to transfer their enrolment to the Master of Agribusiness

The course will broaden the learners’ understanding of the industry in which they operate and enhance the analytical skills they bring to bear on problems faced in the day-to-day work environment.

The program will be delivered to students as they work in their home or office using online, web-based delivery augmented where necessary by print, and other learning materials. A team-based approach to problem solving will be fostered. The computer communication will incorporate three main components: subject learning and content; communications including email, online discussion forums openly shared by all members and access to remote web sites and databases such as library support.

Core Subjects

NRMT90017 is a residential subject held at the start of February. Subjects AGRI90012. AGRI90014 and AGRI90013 are online subjects.

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

Undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification and at least two years documented, relevant professional / management experience, or
Documented, demonstrated understanding of complex systems in business, and at least five years documented, relevant professional / management experience.
The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

To maximize rewards from undertaking the course, students should have two to five years experience in the agribusiness field. It is not essential that students have an academic background in business or economics, however an understanding of the complex systems involved in agribusiness is assumed

This Certificate can be taken on its own and/or may count towards 50 points of advanced standing in the Master of Agribusiness.

The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences (FVAS) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the Faculty's programs. FVAS contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the School’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the School. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate (four subjects) in Agribusiness may apply for entry into the Master of Agribusiness (Course Codes 704-CC ). Successful applicants will then be required to complete a further eight (8) subjects (100 points) to obtain a Masters qualification.

To articulate into the Master of Agribusiness a candidate must:

1. pass all enrolled subjects, and
2. achieve a satisfactory grade, expressed as the weighted average of all enrolled subjects in the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness

65%or more - eligible to transfer

Less than 65% - not eligible to transfer

• A profound respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity, and the ethics of scholarship
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse social, technical or economic information from primary and other sources
• Awareness of and ability to utilise appropriate communication technology and methods for the storage, management and analysis of data
• Capacity for creativity and innovation, through the application of skills and knowledge
• Ability to integrate information across a relevant discipline to solve problems in applied situations
• Highly developed computer - based skills to allow for effective on-line learning and communication.
• Highly developed written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community
• Highly developed oral communication skills to allow informed dialogue and liaison with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.
• Appreciation of social and cultural diversity from a regional to a global context
• Ability to participate effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

The Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness (online) is available on a part time basis only. To study the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness fulltime, subjects will be taken from the on campus stream of the Master of Agricultural Sciences MC-AGSC.

Computer Equipment Requirements

Students undertaking online subjects will use the University's Learning Management System: http://www.lms.unimelb.edu.au/

International students

The course is delivered online so students can study part-time from anywhere in the world while continuing to work full-time in the industry. Students who are studying online are only required on campus for a one week residential teaching block. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will allow students to attend the residential school with a Visitors' Visa and then return to their home country.