Program title: Graduate Diploma in Education
Award abbreviation: GDEd
QTAC code: 017081 Sippy Downs
                    017981 Noosa #
OP/Rank for 2010 entry: GPA requirement
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Prerequisites: Completion of an undergraduate degree (or equivalent), with a minimum GPA of 4.0 from a recognised tertiary institution where the first language is English. Early Learning: study of sufficient breadth to interact with the early years curriculum and primary key learning areas. Studies in psychology or education an advantage. Middle Phase: at least one-third of a degree in a nominated first teaching area and sufficient breadth of study to interact with primary and middle phase key learning areas. Senior Phase: 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. Applicants must submit an Teaching Area Nomination form.
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check (refer to Program requirements and notes)
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, postgraduate coursework places, international fee-paying places
Calendar: Education Workplace Learning Calendar 2010 (PDF 20KB)
Total courses: 8 (96 units)
USC program code: ED601
CRICOS code: 058884B

# Graduate Diploma in Education Pathway C can be completed at the USC Noosa Centre. The option is only available for Semester 1 entry. The option to study at Noosa is not available to international students.

Highlights

• Return to school as a registered teacher
• Help meet the growing demand for senior, middle or early phase teachers
• Link theory and practice with supervised field experience

Achieve professional qualifications to become a registered teacher.

In this program you gain the professional knowledge and skills to teach in senior phase (Years 8-12), middle phase (Years 4-9) or early learning (Years P-3) classrooms in Queensland. Workplace learning is an integral part of this program, reflecting the connection between practice and theory. You apply the knowledge and understanding gained in learning theory, pedagogy and curriculum during classroom teaching placements and other field experiences.

To become a senior phase teacher, you require expertise in two teaching areas. In the middle and early phase pathways, your focus of study is the primary curriculum. Middle phase teaching requires you to have at least one teaching area drawn from your undergraduate degree. If you choose the middle or early phase pathway, your undergraduate degree must provide sufficient breadth to enable you to teach confidently across a number of Key Learning Areas (KLAs). For more information about KLAs and teaching areas in Queensland, visit the Queensland Studies Authority website www.qsa.qld.edu.au

You complete two workplace-learning practice courses in two blocks of 32 days each, and undertake 11 days of wider field experiences called Community Participation. The program is attributes focused with many opportunities for you to demonstrate the achievement of The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers (Queensland College of Teachers). 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.

• Pathway A: Graduate Diploma in Education (Senior—Years 8–12)
• Pathway C: Graduate Diploma in Education (Middle Phase—Years 4–9)
• Pathway E: Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary)—not available to domestic students
• Pathway H: Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Learning—Years P–3)

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Additional entry requirements

Applicants from a non-English speaking background will be required to attain an IELTS level of 7.0. Refer to Program requirements and notes.

Post-admission requirements

Semester 2, 2010 intake

If you commenced in 2010, you must complete a minimum of 60 days of professional workplace learning and 100 hours of Wider Field Experience during your enrolment in the program.

Semester 1, 2011 intake

If you commence in 2011, you must complete a minimum of 64 days of supervised teaching practice in schools and 55 hours (or 11 days) of Community Participation during your enrolment in the program. 

A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.

Career opportunities

Teacher in early, middle or senior phase, education consultant, trainer.

Professional recognition

Graduates may register with the Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.

Program structure

Pathway A: Graduate Diploma in Education (Senior—Years 8–12)

8 required courses:
EDU101 Health Promotion Principles
EDU600 Learning about Learning
EDU220 Becoming a Teacher
EDU610 Middle Phase Curriculum: Pedagogies for New Times(30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU201 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement
EDU221 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU630 Middle Phase Curriculum 2: Assessment for Learning
EDU612 Senior Phase Curriculum(30 days Workplace Learning)

Optional additional program:
Graduate Certificate in Vocational Education and Training

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Pathway C: Graduate Diploma in Education (Middle Phase—Years 4–9)

Optional additional program:
Graduate Certificate in Early Phase of Learning

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Pathway E: Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) — not available to domestic students

8 required courses:
EDU101 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement
EDU641 Learning about Learning
EDU342 Teaching Mathematics
EDU610 The Primary Curriculum(30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU600 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement
EDU340 Becoming a Teacher
EDU652 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years
EDU612 The Primary Curriculum: Holistic Design(30 days Workplace Learning)

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Pathway H: Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Learning—Years P–3)

7 required courses:
EDU305 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement
EDU641 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU340 Teaching Mathematics
EDU610 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years(30 days Workplace Learning)
EDU600 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement
EDU652 Becoming a Teacher
EDU612 The Primary Curriculum: Holistic Design(30 days Workplace Learning)
Plus select 1 course from:
EDU343 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement
EDU344 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts

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Program requirements and notes

1. Students are required to successfully complete 8 courses as specified in the Graduate Diploma in Education program structure.
2. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns.
3. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
4. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements. Students from a non-English speaking background will be required to attain an IELTS level of 7 in each category of the test prior to entry as an admission requirement. Equivalent scores from other forms of English language testing may be considered.
5. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
6. As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), pre-service 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 in which children under 18 years of age are present. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that pre-service teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional workplace learning.
7. Students will be required to have completed or be concurrently enrolled in three on campus courses before they are eligible to enrol in a workplace learning course. Where early assessment tasks indicate that a student may fail a course, the course coordinator will advise the program leader. The program leader, in consultation with the student and the workplace learning team will determine whether the student will be eligible to continue into work placement in that semester.
8. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.
9. Refer to the Education calendar 2010 (PDF 20KB).

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. The Commission issues Blue Cards once it has carried out the Working with Children Check to see if a person is eligible. A positive notice and a Blue Card will be issued to those deemed eligible.

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.

Enquiries

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Tel: +61 7 5459 4699
Email: education@usc.edu.au

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