The Certificate in Prout Studies is designed to have an academic standard equivalent to a Graduate Diploma. A Graduate Diploma sits between a Bachelor Degree and a Masters Degree, as follows:

• Bachelor Degree
• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree

In the Australian Qualification Framework, www.aqf.edu.au, February 2005 revised statement, a Graduate Diploma is described as follows:

“Characteristics of learning outcomes at this level cover a wide range of specialized needs following an undergraduate or postgraduate program or prior work, ranging from initial and ongoing professional development to preparation for further postgraduate study, including research higher degrees. The learning outcomes reflect a standard appropriate to a graduate intake and may include:

• the acquisition and critical application of knowledge and skills in a new discipline or professional area, which may also involve extending knowledge and skills already gained in an undergraduate program or relevant prior work, and
• further specialization within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge.”

The Framework also notes that although the duration of a Graduate Diploma may vary, courses at this level typically require one year of full-time study, and may be articulated to a course work Masters Degree and may be given credit of up to half of the Masters Degree.