- Teach in a Preparatory to Year 7 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 (Primary)
Award abbreviation: GDEd
QTAC code: 017281
OP/Rank for 2012 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 sufficient breadth across a range of learning areas including: the arts, social science, English, maths, science, health and physical education, technology and languages.
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) (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: ED603
CRICOS code: 075078B. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Achieve professional qualifications required for teacher registration.
In this program you learn to design and implement engaging learning and teaching strategies targeting primary aged children from the Preparatory year through to Year 7.
Coursework explores curriculum and learning theory in practical ways that encourage pre-service teachers to build a supportive school and classroom environment.
You actively engage in the challenges of inclusive education and develop differentiated teaching, learning and assessment practices across the key curriculum areas taught in the primary classroom such as the arts, maths, English and science.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.
Additional admission 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
You must complete a minimum of 75 days of supervised professional experience, including 13 days of wider field experience during the program. You must obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before your first workplace experience.
Career opportunities
Teacher in primary 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 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.
Full-time students
Required courses: (10)
EDU602 Classroom Management
EDU603 Teaching Practice 1
EDU604 Engaging Diverse Learners
EDU614 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7
EDU615 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU616 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7
EDU340 Professional Engagement
EDU641 Teaching Practice 2
EDU342 Engaging Diverse Learners
EDU652 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7
Please note:
- EDU603 is the core introduction course for the Graduate Diploma in Education, 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 EDU342 or EDU652 .
- All students students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU342 or EDU652 . 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.
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 (Primary) Study Plan is for students commencing in the current Semester. Please refer to notes.
Full-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (4)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory | |||
| EDU342 Social Justice, Welfare and the State | |||
| EDU604 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People | |||
| EDU614 Critical Practice with Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Group Work | |||
| EDU641 Working With Families |
Final study period
Required courses (4)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU340 Ethics and Professional Practice | |||
| EDU652 Health, Society and Culture | |||
| EDU615 Understanding Cultural Diversity | |||
| EDU616 Social Work Field Education 1 |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Community Development and Social Action | |||
| EDU641 Critical Social Policy Analysis |
Part-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Social Work Field Education 2 | |||
| EDU641 Critical Social Work Practice |
Second study period
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU342 Indigenous Australia and the State | |||
| EDU604 Gender and Culture | |||
| EDU614 Green Justice: Environment and Social Issues |
Third period of entry
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU340 Rural and Regional Sustainability | |||
| EDU652 International Community Development and Global Justice |
Final study period
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU615 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice | |||
| EDU616 Disability: Culture, Community and Change |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Quality Learning and Teaching | |||
| EDU641 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7 |
- EDU603 is the core introduction course for the Graduate Diploma in Education, 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 EDU342 or EDU652 .
- All students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU342 or EDU652 . 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.