Program summary
Program overview
Admission requirements
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
Enquiries
Recommended enrolment patterns
Program summary
QTAC code: refer to individual pathway options
OP for 2008 entry: 84
Award abbreviation: GDEd
Degree type: postgraduate coursework program
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places, international fee-paying places
Total courses: 8
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Program code: ED601
CRICOS code: 058884B
* Students can apply to undertake Pathway A of the Graduate Diploma in Education at the USC Noosa Centre. Please note that only Pathway A - Secondary will be available at Noosa and only as a first semester entry.
Program overview
The overall purpose of the Graduate Diploma in Education is to provide its graduates with the professional studies, knowledge and skills required to become a teacher. This compliments previous discipline studies achieved through the successful completion of an undergraduate degree with education studies, curriculum and pedagogical studies and workplace learning experiences.
The program will prepare graduates across a number of pathways: senior phase (secondary years 8–12) with two teaching areas, middle phase (years 4–9) and early learning (years P–3 and ages 0–8). For students in both middle and early phase pathway the primary curriculum will also be a focus of study. Middle phase students will require at least one teaching area, drawn from their undergraduate degree. It is assumed that the undergraduate degree of students entering both the middle phase and early phase pathways provides sufficient breadth to confidently teach across a number of Key Learning Areas (KLAs). For further information about KLAs and teaching areas in Queensland, please visit the Queensland Studies Authority website.
There are also specialist pathways for ICT (Information Communication and Technology) in the secondary sector and VET (Vocational Education and Training) teachers from a TAFE background or those wanting to teach VET subjects in a secondary school setting.
Workplace Learning (WPL) is an integral aspect of this professional studies course reflecting the nexus between practice and theory. In-depth WPL is gained within two workplace learning practice courses for blocks of 25 days and 30 days respectively plus 20 days broader field experiences, called Community Participation. The program is attributes focused with multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the achievement of the professional attributes outlined in the USC Teacher Attribute Framework. The attributes reflect the expectations outlined in the National Framework of Beginning Teacher competencies, the Professional Standards for Teachers (EQ2003) and the University Graduate Attributes.
Admission requirements
Students from a non-English speaking background will be required to attain an IELTS level of seven in each category of the test. Equivalent scores from other forms of English language testing will also be considered.
Pathway A
Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary - Years 8–12)
QTAC code: 017081 Sippy Downs
017981 Noosa Site
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution and must have completed at least one-third of the degree in the nominated first teaching area and one-sixth in the nominated second teaching area, application to some teaching areas may require an interview and/or portfolio or audition.
Pathway C
Graduate Diploma in Education (Middle Phase - Years 4–9)
QTAC code: 017031
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution and must have completed at least one-third of the degree in a nominated first teaching area. It is assumed that the undergraduate degree, in addition to the nominated teaching area, has sufficient breadth to enable the student to confidently address the range of teaching areas that is expected by most middle phase schooling contexts - usually upper primary school or lower secondary school.
Pathway E (available only to international students)
Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution. It is assumed that the undergraduate degree has sufficient breadth to enable the student to confidently address the range of teaching areas that is expected in most primary schooling contexts.
Pathway F
Graduate Diploma in Education (Vocational Education and Training)
QTAC code: 017061
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution and must have completed at least one-third of the degree in the nominated first teaching area and one-sixth in the nominated second teaching area, application to some teaching areas may require an interview and/or portfolio or audition. Applicants may require industry experience deemed appropriate for the field and may require up to five years of experience.
Pathway G
Graduate Diploma in Education (ICT)
QTAC code: 017071
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution and must have completed at least one-third of the degree in ICT and one-sixth in the nominated second teaching area, application to some teaching areas may require an interview and/or portfolio or audition.
Pathway H
Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Learning - Years P–3)
QTAC code: 017041
Completion of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a recognised tertiary institution. It is assumed that the undergraduate degree has sufficient breadth to enable the student to confidently address the range of teaching areas that is expected in most early learning contexts.
Program structure
Pathway A
Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary - Years 8–12)
8 required courses:
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU601 Learning about Learning
EDU606 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU612 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement (30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU620 Pedagogies for New Times
EDU621 Assessment for Learning
EDU630 Senior Phase Curriculum
Optional additional course:
EDU304 Honours pathway: Internship and Action Research Project
Optional additional program:
Graduate Certificate in Vocational Education and Training
Pathway C
Graduate Diploma in Education (Middle Phase - Years 4–9)
8 required courses:
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU601 Learning about Learning
EDU606 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU612 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement (30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU620 Pedagogies for New Times
EDU621 Assessment for Learning
EDU642 The Primary Curriculum
Optional additional program:
Graduate Certificate in Early Phase of Learning
Pathway E (available only to international students)
Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)
8 required courses:
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU601 Learning about Learning
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU612 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement (30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU640 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years
EDU641 Mathematics Education for Early Learners
EDU642 The Primary Curriculum
EDU652 The Primary Curriculum 2
Pathway F
Graduate Diploma in Education (Vocational Education and Training)
8 required courses:
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU601 Learning about Learning
EDU606 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU607 Vocational and Enterprise Education
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU613 Workplace Learning in VET
EDU620 Pedagogies for New Times
EDU630 Senior Phase Curriculum
Pathway G
Graduate Diploma in Education (ICT)
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU601 Learning about Learning
EDU606 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU612 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement (30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU620 Pedagogies for New Times
EDU621 Assessment for Learning
EDU630 Senior Phase Curriculum
Pathway H
Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Learning - Years P–3)
EDU600 Becoming a Teacher
EDU605 Development and Early Learning
EDU610 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement (25 days Workplace Learning)
EDU612 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement (30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU640 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years
EDU641 Mathematics Education for Early Learners
EDU642 The Primary Curriculum 1
Select 1 course from:
EDU643 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
EDU644 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
Program requirements and notes
- Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Education program structure.
- Refer to the Academic Rules for further information.
- Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
- International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
Requirements for placements
The Commission for Children and Young People Act (2000 and 2005) applies to all pre-service teachers who will be working with children/students under the age of 18 in Queensland settings as a component of their program of pre-service education. Blue Cards are issued by the Commission once it has carried out the Working with Children Check to see if a person is eligible. If a person is eligible, they are issued a positive notice and a Blue Card.
- Blue Cards and how to apply
Education students are encouraged to apply for their Blue Card as soon as they have accepted their offer to avoid processing delays. Blue Cards are free of charge for Education students when they apply through the Professional Workplace Learning office (Level 2, I Building).
Note: Students who do not possess a current Blue Card will be unable to complete the professional experience component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
How to apply
Apply for a postgraduate program.
Enquiries
Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5459 4699
Email: Education@usc.edu.au