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.

The way to become a teacher in Queensland is changing. Soon you will need to study a two-year graduate entry degree. Mid-year entry at USC in 2014 is one of the last opportunities to study a one-year program that qualifies you to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.

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 Working with Children Check and obtain a Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency prior to commencing supervised professional 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:

  • A  Blue Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA to issue the card.
  • Have a National Criminal History check
  • Make provision for transport to attend teaching practice placements.
Full-time students
Required courses (10)

EDU602 Information Systems in Organisations
EDU603 Business Law
EDU604 Social Media: Content Curation and Creation
EDU614 Creating and Leveraging Digital Products
EDU615 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
EDU616 Fintech Innovations
EDU340 Bringing Data to Life: Creating, curating and protecting data
EDU641 Start-up LaunchLab
EDU342 Organisations in the Digital Age
EDU652 Business, Governance and Society

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 Queensland Family and Child Commission Act (2014), preservice teachers must undergo a Working with Children Check and be issued with a Blue Card by the Public Safety Business Agency to allow them to undertake supervised professional 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 commencing supervised professional experience.

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 Learning office  (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 Public Safety Business Agency website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.

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