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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Linguistic Studies at CDU is a postgraduate degree that prepares you for analysis, evaluation, and application of linguistic understandings to language, its use, and its role in various contexts. You will build theoretical foundations in linguistics for developing knowledge and awareness in the field that targets developments in practice through a flexible selection of units. The focus of the program is on contextualised evaluation of language, which can be applied to theoretical analysis or contribute to the continuing professional development of forensic linguists, language teachers, TESOL practitioners, and those working in language maintenance and revitalisation. You will explore content incorporating aspects that can be applied to local, regional and global contexts, and offer directed engagement with First Nations, Australian, Asian and global content and perspectives.
Study opportunities exist on-campus or online, in part-time study mode. Areas of focus across the course include Indigenous languages, linguistic analysis and documentation, language teaching and testing and forensic linguistics.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in fields concerned with applied linguistics, language education, policy making, forensic linguistics, language revitalisation and maintenance, and professional domains where language, its use and role are a priority.
On successful completion of the course, students have the option to continue their studies in the Graduate Diploma of Linguistic Studies.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University, the #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024).
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
What will I study?
The course is structured around one core unit and three specialist electives (30 credit points) chosen from four linguistic disciplines: TESOL, forensic linguistics, language revitalisation and maintenance, and general linguistics. These lay the foundation by covering essential topics such as linguistic diversity in First Nations languages, second language acquisition, global Englishes and discourse analysis to prepare students for work in these fields of linguistics.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (1 unit) | 10cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below. TES504 Understanding Language Acquisition |
| Specialist Elective Units (3 units) | 30cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 30 credit points from the list of available units detailed below: The following groupings serve as a guide to help you choose units that align with your future study or career goals. you may select all specialist electives from a single Linguistics discipline or combine units from a cross disciplines. TESOL Forensic Linguistics Language Revitalisation and Maintenance |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | TES504 Understanding Language Acquisition | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| TESOL | |
| TES503 Applied Language Teaching Methodologies TES507 Global Englishes in Context TES502 Language, Meaning and Learning TES505 Intercultural Communication | TES506 Language testing and Evaluation |
| FORENSIC LINGUISTICS | |
| IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics IAS565 Meaning in Language and Context: Semantics and Pragmatics |
| LANGUAGE REVITALISATION AND MAINTENANCE | |
| IAS563 Language Policy and Planning for Revitalisation and Maintenance IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | IAS570 Diversity in First Nations Languages IAS565 Meaning in Language and Context: Semantics and Pragmatics IAS568 Sounds and Sound Systems: Phonetics and Phonology IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| TES504 Understanding Language Acquisition | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| TESOL | |
| TES503 Applied Language Teaching Methodologies TES507 Global Englishes in Context TES502 Language, Meaning and Learning TES505 Intercultural Communication | TES506 Language testing and Evaluation |
| FORENSIC LINGUISTICS | |
| IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics IAS565 Meaning in Language and Context: Semantics and Pragmatics |
| LANGUAGE REVITALISATION AND MAINTENANCE | |
| IAS563 Language Policy and Planning for Revitalisation and Maintenance IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | IAS570 Diversity in First Nations Languages IAS565 Meaning in Language and Context: Semantics and Pragmatics IAS568 Sounds and Sound Systems: Phonetics and Phonology IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
Course details
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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