- Teach in a Year 7 to Year 12 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 (Secondary)
Award abbreviation: GDEd
QTAC code: 017381
OP/Rank for 2011 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 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. *
Discipline studies suitable for secondary include:
Teaching Area One: accounting; agricultural science; ancient history; biology; business, chemistry; Chinese; dance; drama; English; film, television and new media; French; geography; German; Indonesian; health and physical education; history; information and communications technology; integrated sciences; Italian; Japanese; mathematics; modern history; music; physics; Spanish; study of religion; visual arts.
Teaching Area Two: business, Chinese; dance; drama; English; French; German; geography; health and physical education; history; Indonesian; information and communications technology; Italian; Japanese; mathematics; music; science; Spanish; social science (geography/history); study of religion; visual arts.
* Please note that Teaching Area One and Teaching Area Two need to be from contrasting subject areas or different discipline areas.
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: ED604
CRICOS code: 075080G. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Achieve professional qualifications required for teacher registration.
This program focuses on the application of innovative and evidence-based teaching practices to create an engaging classroom for learners in Years 7-12.
You engage with key curriculum documents and instructional methods in two teaching areas taught in Queensland secondary schools.
Core studies include theories of learning, assessment and evaluation principles, the application of information communication technologies in the classroom, literacy, numeracy, and effective management of the secondary learning environment.
Graduates are eligible to apply for teacher registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.
Additional entry 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
The Queensland College of teachers requires that preservice teachers in the one year graduate program complete 75 days of Professional Experience. This is made up of 62 days of Supervised Professional Experience and 13 days of Wider Field Experience.
Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) is an integral aspect of this professional studies course reflecting the nexus between practice and theory. In-depth SPE is gained within two supervised workplace learning practice courses throughout 62 days of practicum.
This is completed in two 31 day blocks. This supervised practicum enables students to apply their theoretical understandings and preparatory curriculum studies in an authentic setting.
Students:
- may be placed in schools within one hour travel time from their residential address
- will need to arrange for their own transport, to and from their teaching placement, and may not always be able to rely on public transport
- are required to attend schools for a full teaching day for a minimum of eight hours per day for each 31 day teaching block
- are required to adhere to school policies and the university's workplace learning code of conduct during their placement
A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.
Career opportunities
Teacher in secondary 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 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.
Required courses: (10)
EDU602 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
EDU603 Understanding Cultural Diversity
EDU604 Gender and Culture
EDU614 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies
EDU615
EDU616 Justice and the Australian Legal System
EDU220 Foundations of Criminology
EDU221 Criminal Law: An Introduction
EDU622
EDU630 Advanced Level Electives in Justice
Please note:
- EDU603 is the core introductory course for the Graduate Diploma in Education, students are strongly recommended to enrol in EDU603 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 EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 .
- All students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 . 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 the Graduate Diploma in Education within two years
- Curriculum courses EDU220 and EUD630 relate to your first teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved first teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your first teaching area, please search for a class using USC Central.
- Curriculum courses EDU221 and EDU622 relate to your second teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved second teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your second teaching area, please search for a class using USC Central.
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 (Secondary) Study Plan is for students commencing in the current Semester. Please refer to notes.
Full-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Introduction to Indigenous Australia | |||
| EDU604 Social Research | |||
| EDU614 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory |
Plus select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Social Justice, Welfare and the State | |||
| EDU602 Understanding Cultural Diversity | |||
| EDU622 Gender and Culture | |||
| EDU630 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies |
Final study period
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 Communication and Thought | |||
| EDU615 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| EDU616 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
Plus select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Communication Theory and Practice | |||
| EDU602 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| EDU622 Editing for the Communications Professional | |||
| EDU630 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero |
Part-time students
Study period of entry
Required courses (1)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU603 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | |||
| EDU622 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas |
Second study period
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU604 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics | |||
| EDU614 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns |
Plus select 1 course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU602 Creative Writing and Editing for e-Publication | |||
| EDU630 The Text Files: An Introduction to Literary Studies |
Third study period
Select 2 courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction | |||
| EDU602 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature | |||
| EDU622 The Writer and the Law | |||
| EDU630 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change |
Final study period
Required courses (3)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 Introduction to Indigenous Australia | |||
| EDU615 Social Research | |||
| EDU616 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory |
- EDU603 is the core introductory course for the Graduate Diploma in Education, students are strongly recommended to enrol in EDU603 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 EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 .
- All students should ensure that they are adequately prepared for their teaching practice with sufficient curriculum courses EDU220 , EDU221 or EDU630 . 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 the Graduate Diploma in Education within two years
- Curriculum courses EDU220 and EUD630 relate to your first teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved first teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your first teaching area, please search for a class using USC Central.
- Curriculum courses EDU221 and EDU622 relate to your second teaching area. Each tutorial for this course is specific to your approved second teaching area. To find out which tutorial matches your second teaching area, please search for a class using USC Central.