Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)

Students 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. Students 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.

Final intake for this program is Semester 2, 2014. Due to external accreditation requirements if you commence this program in Semester 2, 2014 you must complete this program within two years of commencement.

CRICOS code
075078B
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
  • † Duration note: Final intake for this program is Semester 2, 2014. Due to external accreditation requirements if you commence this program in Semester 2, 2014 you must complete this program within two years of commencement.
  • * For PDF documents you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe Download page.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017281
Minimum selection threshold

GPA requirement

UniSC program code
ED603
Commence
Semester 1 or Semester 2
Duration
1 year full time or equivalent part time †
Prerequisites
Completion of a non-education Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7), or equivalent, 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
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. Refer to English language requirements Calendar: Education Programs Calendar 2014 (PDF 221KB) *
Fee type 2014
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • International fee-paying places
  • Postgraduate coursework places
Total courses
10 (96 units)
Footnotes
  • † Duration note: Final intake for this program is Semester 2, 2014. Due to external accreditation requirements if you commence this program in Semester 2, 2014 you must complete this program within two years of commencement.
  • * For PDF documents you must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe Download page.

Coursework explores curriculum and learning theory in practical ways that encourage pre-service teachers to build a supportive school and classroom environment. Students 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.

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 75 days of Supervised Professional Experience, including 13 days of Wider Field Experience during the program. Students must undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before the first professional learning experience.

Career opportunities

Teacher in primary schools, education consultant, trainer.

Registration

Queensland College of Teachers.

 

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
  • Make provision for transport to attend teaching practice placements.
Full-time students
Required courses (10)

EDU602 Graphic Design B
EDU603 Graphic Design C
EDU604 Engaging Diverse Learners
EDU614 Quality Learning and Teaching
EDU615 Classroom Management
EDU616 Teaching Practice 1
EDU340 Professional Engagement
EDU641 Teaching Practice 2
EDU342 Teaching Reading and Writing
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 advised that they must 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 Office of Professional Learning (Level 1, H 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.