- Teach in a Prep to Year 3 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 (Preparatory to Year Three)
Award abbreviation: GDEd
QTAC code: 017181
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: ED602
CRICOS code: 075079A. 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 examine theories and models of teaching and learning relevant to children from the Preparatory school year through to Year 3.
Studies focus on the implementation and evaluation of differentiated teaching strategies and formative assessment tasks in a way that is responsive to the diverse nature of early learners.
You translate key theories in children's social, physical and academic development into effective teaching and learning practice, and explore play-based and creative approaches to the teaching of key learning areas such as literacy, numeracy, science, and technology.
Graduates are eligible to apply for teacher 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 early phase classrooms, 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.
10 required courses:
EDU603 Teaching Practice 2
EDU604 Quality Learning and Teaching
EDU614 Classroom Management
EDU615 Teaching Practice 1
EDU616 Professional Engagement
EDU340 Teaching Practice 2
EDU342 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU343 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7
EDU641 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
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 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 (Preparatory to Year Three) Study Plan is for students commencing in the current Semester. Please refer to notes below.
Full-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses: (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Brand Management | |||
| EDU342 Quality Learning and Teaching | |||
| EDU343 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU604 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts | |||
| EDU614 Classroom Management |
Final study period
Required courses: (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU340 Teaching Practice 1 | |||
| EDU652 Teaching Reading and Writing | |||
| EDU641 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU615 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7 | |||
| EDU616 Professional Engagement |
Part-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses: (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Teaching Practice 2 | |||
| EDU342 Quality Learning and Teaching |
Second study period
Required courses: (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU343 Curriculum A Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU604 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts | |||
| EDU614 Classroom Management |
Third study period
Required courses: (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU340 Teaching Practice 1 | |||
| EDU652 Teaching Reading and Writing |
Final study period
Required courses: (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU641 Curriculum B Primary Years P-7 | |||
| EDU615 Teaching Mathematics Years P-7 | |||
| EDU616 Professional Engagement |
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 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.