- Teach in a Year 7 to Year 12 Classroom
- Link theory and practice with professional experience in schools
- This program is offered face to face on campus as it is essential for students to interact with fellow students and academics to develop their classroom teaching skills
Program summary
Program title: Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary)
Award abbreviation: GDEd
QTAC code: 017381
OP/Rank for 2011 entry: GPA requirement
Study mode: on campus
Duration: 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Prerequisites: Completion of a non-education undergraduate degree, with a minimum GPA of 4.0 from a recognised tertiary institution. In addition, applicants must satisfy the discipline study requirements of at least one-third of a degree in a nominated first teaching area and one-sixth of a degree in a nominated second teaching area.
Discipline studies suitable for secondary include:
Teaching Area One: accounting; agricultural science; ancient history; biology; business, chemistry; Chinese; dance; drama; English; film, television and new media; French; geography; German; Indonesian; health and physical education; history; information and communications technology; integrated sciences; Italian; Japanese; mathematics; modern history; music; physics; Spanish; study of religion; visual arts.
Teaching Area Two: business, Chinese; dance; drama; English; French; German; geography; health and physical education; history; Indonesian; information and communications technology; Italian; Japanese; mathematics; music; science; Spanish; social science (geography/history); study of religion; visual arts.
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check (refer to Program requirements and notes)
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Calendar: Education Programs Calendar 2012 (PDF 40KB) *
Total courses: 10 (96 units)
USC program code: ED604
CRICOS code: 075080G
Achieve professional qualifications required for teacher registration.
The Graduate Diploma in Education offers professional studies, knowledge and skills in learning and teaching, to compliment previous discipline studies achieved through the successful completion of a three year non education undergraduate degree.
This program enables you to develop professional knowledge in the teaching areas identified in your undergraduate degree and in line with the current offerings of Queensland Schools, as administered by the Queensland Studies Authority. Professional expertise in secondary education will be developed.
Additional entry requirements
This program has higher English language proficiency requirements than most other programs at this level offered by the University.
Refer to the English language requirements for more information.
Post-admission requirements
The Queensland College of teachers requires that preservice teachers in the one year graduate program complete 75 days of Professional Experience. This is made up of 62 days of Supervised Professional Experience and 13 days of Wider Field Experience.
Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) is an integral aspect of this professional studies course reflecting the nexus between practice and theory. In-depth SPE is gained within two supervised workplace learning practice courses throughout 62 days of practicum.
This is completed in two 31 day blocks. This supervised practicum enables students to apply their theoretical understandings and preparatory curriculum studies in an authentic setting.
Students:
- may be placed in schools within one hour travel time from their residential address
- will need to arrange for their own transport, to and from their teaching placement, and may not always be able to rely on public transport
- are required to attend schools for a full teaching day for a minimum of eight hours per day for each 31 day teaching block
- are required to adhere to school policies and the university's workplace learning code of conduct during their placement
A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.
Career opportunities
Teacher in secondary schools, education consultant, trainer.
Professional recognition
Graduates may apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.
Enquiries
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Tel: +61 7 5430 2869
Email: education@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per teaching session.
- There are two study periods in the year; January–July and July–December. For more information, refer to the Education Programs Calendar.
- Students must complete a minimum of 62 days of supervised teaching practice in schools.
- Students must also complete a total of 13 days or 65 hours of wider field experience
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports and in-class tests. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan
To commence teaching practice placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the Workplace Learning components of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
- Make provision for transport to attend teaching practice placements.
Required courses: (10)
EDU602 Curriculum B Secondary Years 7-12 - Literacy and Numeracy
EDU603 Curriculum A Secondary Years 10-12
EDU604 Curriculum B Middle Years 4-10: Assessment for Learning
EDU614 Professional Engagement
EDU615 Teaching Practice 2
EDU616 Engaging Diverse Learners
EDU220 Quality Learning and Teaching
EDU221 Classroom Management
EDU622 Teaching Practice 1
EDU630 Professional Engagement
Please note:
- EDU603 is an introductory course, students are strongly recommended to enrol during first teaching session of entry.
- Full time students should enrol into EDU604 and EDU614 consecutively (within the first teaching session) or EDU615 and EDU616 consecutively (within the second teaching session). Full time students in their first teaching session are recommended to enrol into a total of five courses (two of which are 6 units, EDU604 and EDU614 OR EDU615 and EDU616 ) and one course must be a curriculum course EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 .
- Part time students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 . Curriculum courses include development of lesson and unit planning skills that are essential for a successful teaching practice. Part time students are strongly recommended to complete all courses within two years.
- Students cannot commence Teaching Practice 1 until successful completion of at least one curriculum course (EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 ).
- Curriculum A courses for Senior Phase relate to your major teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved major teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your major teaching area, please search for a class using USCCentral.
- Curriculum B courses for Senior Phase relate to your minor teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved minor teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your minor teaching area, please search for a class using USCCentral.
Requirements for placements
As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), preservice teachers must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Suitability Card (Blue Card) by the Commission to allow them to undertake field experience in a school or centre where children under 18 years of age are present.
It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that preservice teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional workplace learning.
To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to apply for a Blue Card as soon as you have accepted your offer. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when you apply through USC’s Professional Workplace Learning office (Level 2, C Building).
Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the professional experience component of your program and you will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
Visit the Commission's website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.
Study Plan
This Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) Study Plan is for students commencing in the current Semester. Please refer to notes.
Full-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Motor Control and Learning | |||
| EDU604 Event Management | |||
| EDU614 Workplace Learning II |
Plus select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Biomechanics II | |||
| EDU602 Exercise Physiology II | |||
| EDU622 Quality Learning and Teaching | |||
| EDU630 Classroom Management |
Final study period
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 Teaching Practice 1 | |||
| EDU615 Curriculum A Middle Years 4-10: Pedagogies for New Times | |||
| EDU616 Engaging Diverse Learners |
Plus select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Curriculum B Secondary Years 7-12 - Literacy and Numeracy | |||
| EDU602 Curriculum A Secondary Years 10-12 | |||
| EDU622 Curriculum B Middle Years 4-10: Assessment for Learning | |||
| EDU630 Professional Engagement |
Part-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Teaching Practice 2 |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Curriculum A Middle Years 4-10: Pedagogies for New Times | |||
| EDU622 Engaging Diverse Learners |
Second study period
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU604 Curriculum B Secondary Years 7-12 - Literacy and Numeracy | |||
| EDU614 Curriculum A Secondary Years 10-12 |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Quality Learning and Teaching | |||
| EDU630 Curriculum A Middle Years 4-10: Pedagogies for New Times |
Third study period
Select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Curriculum B Secondary Years 7-12 - Literacy and Numeracy | |||
| EDU602 Classroom Management | |||
| EDU622 Teaching Practice 1 | |||
| EDU630 Engaging Diverse Learners |
Final study period
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 Curriculum A Secondary Years 10-12 | |||
| EDU615 Curriculum A Middle Years 4-10: Pedagogies for New Times | |||
| EDU616 Engaging Diverse Learners |
- EDU603 is an introductory course, students are strongly recommended to enrol during first teaching session of entry.
- Full time students should enrol into EDU604 and EDU614 consecutively (within the first teaching session) or EDU615 and EDU616 consecutively (within the second teaching session). Full time students in their first teaching session are recommended to enrol into a total of five courses (two of which are 6 units, EDU604 and EDU614 OR EDU615 and EDU616 ) and one course must be a curriculum course EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 .
- Part time students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 . Curriculum courses include development of lesson and unit planning skills that are essential for a successful teaching practice. Part time students are strongly recommended to complete all courses within two years.
- Students cannot commence Teaching Practice 1 until successful completion of at least one curriculum course (EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 ).
- Curriculum A courses for Senior Phase relate to your major teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved major teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your major teaching area, please search for a class using USCCentral.
- Curriculum B courses for Senior Phase relate to your minor teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved minor teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your minor teaching area, please search for a class using USCCentral.