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Graduate Certificate in Education (Professional Learning)

Graduate Certificate

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GCEd (Prof Learn)

  • Course code

    1008002

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Indicative Fee

    Fee paying

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Professional Learning) is designed for registered teachers looking to enhance their professional practice or for teachers looking to move into more senior or leadership roles.

Students choose a specialisation to focus their studies from either: Teacher as Researcher; Effective Professional Learning; Pedagogical Knowledge; Indigenous Knowledge or Early Childhood Education. The course is also an ideal pathway to further study or research.

The Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University is dedicated to fostering excellence and supporting the development of outstanding teachers and education professionals.

Southern Cross is rated 5 stars for postgraduate overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality in Education (Good Universities Guide 2023).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Demonstrate advanced cognitive, and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise knowledge for ethical, innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in an educational setting.

GA2: Creativity

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision-making skills to realistic situations appropriate to cultural, inclusive and social contexts.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate advanced cognitive, and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise knowledge for ethical, innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in an educational setting.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate advanced cognitive, and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise knowledge for ethical, innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in an educational setting.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Apply academic knowledge and skills to develop deeper understanding, build professional identity and contribute to ongoing professional learning.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Evaluate, reflect and communicate evidence, research and theoretical understandings to inform and transform practice in a specialised area of education.

GA7: Cultural competence

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision-making skills to realistic situations appropriate to cultural, inclusive and social contexts.

Students choose one of the following specialisations:
  • Teacher as Researcher
  • Effective Professional Learning
  • Pedagogical Knowledge
  • Indigenous Knowledge
  • Early Childhood Education.

Each specialisation comprises a combination of core and elective units.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this course is:

  • a four year bachelor degree in Education (AQF 7) from any Australian University, or equivalent; OR
  • an undergraduate degree (AQF 7) and a fourth-year level teaching qualification from any Australian university, or equivalent; OR
  • a three year bachelor degree in Teaching (AQF 7) from any Australian University, or equivalent.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Education (Professional Learning), students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising one of the following specialisations:

  • Teacher as Researcher,
    • 2 core units (24 credit points), and
    • 2 elective units (24 credit points)

OR

  • Effective Professional Learning,
    • 2 core units (24 credit points), and
    • 2 elective units (24 credit points)

OR

  • Pedagogical Knowledge,
    • 2 core units (24 credit points), and
    • 2 elective units (24 credit points)

OR

  • Indigenous Knowledge,
    • 3 core units (36 credit points), and
    • 1 elective unit (12 credit points)

OR

  • Early Childhood Education,
    • 3 core units (36 credit points), and
    • 1 elective unit (12 credit points).

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Option Units
Option Units
EDUC6018 Teachers as Researchers I
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Anti-requisites EDUC6006 - Research in Education: Through the Looking Glass
Enrolment information Students MUST enrol in EDUC6018 - Teachers as Researchers I and EDUC6019 - Teachers as Researchers II in the same academic year.
EDUC6019 Teachers as Researchers II
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites EDUC6018 - Teachers as Researchers I
Anti-requisites EDUC6006 - Research in Education: Through the Looking Glass
Enrolment information Students MUST enrol inEDUC6018 - Teachers as Researchers I and EDUC6019 - Teachers as Researchers II in the same academic year.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Option Units
Option Units
EDUC5011 Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
Summer Term
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
Anti-requisites EDUC5010 - Curriculum, Assessment and Technology
EDUC5001 Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Anti-requisites EDUC1004 - Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

EDUC5013 Inclusive and Special Education: The Responsive Teacher
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Anti-requisites EDUC5004 - Learning and Support Frameworks
Enrolment information Recommended that Primary and Secondary students complete this unit prior to their final professional placement..
Option Units
EDUC5011 Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
Summer Term
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Summer Term
Term2
Summer Term
Term2
Anti-requisites EDUC5010 - Curriculum, Assessment and Technology
Option Units

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term5
Term5
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Lismore
Term5
Term5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Pre-requisites 96 Credit points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1207286 - Master of Teaching OR 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
Anti-requisites EDUC6003 - Inclusive Teaching
Indigenous Knowledge Option Unit
INDG5001 Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country

Not currently available

 12
INDG3004 Indigenous Australians in Education
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term4
N/A

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Melbourne
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Perth
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Sydney
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Early Childhood Education Option Unit
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
Summer Term
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term1,4
Summer Term
Term1,4
Melbourne
Term1,4
Term1,4
Online
Summer Term
Term1,4
Summer Term
Term1,4
Perth
Term1,4
Term1,4
Sydney
Term1,4
Term1,4
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
Term1,4,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Melbourne
Term1,4
Term1,4
Online
Term1,4,5
Term1,4,5
Perth
Term1,4
Term1,4
Sydney
Term1,4
Term1,4

Note 1:

Curriculum and Pedagogy units are only available to students who hold an Australian undergraduate teaching qualification, or equivalent.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Choose one option - Teacher as Researcher or Effective Professional Learning or Pedagogical Knowledge or Indigenous Knowledge or Early Childhood Education.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC6018 Teachers as Researchers I
EDUC6019 Teachers as Researchers II
Select two (2) Option Units
Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC5001 Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
EDUC5011 Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
Select two (2) Option Units
Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC5013 Inclusive and Special Education: The Responsive Teacher
EDUC5011 Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
Select two (2) Option Units
Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
INDG5001 Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country
INDG3004 Indigenous Australians in Education
Select one (1) unit from the following:
INDG3001 Caring for Country
INDG2005 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
INDG1002 Indigenous Knowledge

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
Select one (1) unit from the following:
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
TCHR2003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
TCHR6007 Creative Arts for Early Childhood Education
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR6006 Health, Wellbeing and the Environment in Early Childhood Education

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
EDUC5001 Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
EDUC5013 Inclusive and Special Education: The Responsive Teacher
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
EDUC6018 Teachers as Researchers I
EDUC6019 Teachers as Researchers II
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR2003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
TCHR6007 Creative Arts for Early Childhood Education
TCHR6006 Health, Wellbeing and the Environment in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
EDUC3024 Education and the Environment: More than Human
EDUC2011 Creative Arts Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy Note 1
EDUC2012 English Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2013 Human Society and its Environments: Curriculum and Pedagogy Note 1
EDUC2014 Mathematics Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2015 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy Note 1
EDUC3013 Science and Technology Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy Note 1
EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
EDUC5011 Education and ICT: Digital Disruptions
EDUC5003 Teaching and Learning Literacy and Numeracy in Context
ENGL1004 English: Literature, Language and Literacy
EDUC1006 Interdisciplinary Studies: Crossing the Line
EDUC5007 Music: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2002 PDHPE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2003 Mathematics: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2004 Science: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2006 Technologies and Design: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC2019 HSIE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
TCHR2001 English: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC5008 Visual Arts: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC5009 Performing Arts: Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC3005 PDHPE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC3004 Science: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC6014 Music: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC3003 Mathematics: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC3020 Technologies and Design: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC3019 HSIE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
TCHR3002 English: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC6015 Visual Arts: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC6016 Performing Arts: Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1
EDUC2016 Advanced Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I Note 1
EDUC3014 Advanced Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II Note 1