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Graduate Diploma of Teaching

Graduate Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GradDipTeach

  • Course code

    1108004

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Get an early start on your teaching career with the Graduate Diploma of Teaching. This is a flexible pathway for graduates of other degrees who want to be a school teacher in either primary or secondary schools.

Graduates of this course can apply for conditional registration as a casual or temporary classroom teacher after just 12 months of study* as they work towards the NESA-accredited Master of Teaching.

You’ll choose a specialisation in either Primary or Secondary teaching The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is taught completely online with self-paced access to all content and resources.

The course develops evidence-based practice for a career in which you can make a positive and life-long impact on the lives of children and young people.

*At the successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Teaching, students can apply for conditional accreditation as a casual or temporary classroom teacher if they enrol in the Master of Teaching. Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Teaching receive eight units of credit towards the Master of Teaching.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education.

Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.

Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.

GA2: Creativity

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.

Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.

Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts.

Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts

GA5: Lifelong learning

Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts.

GA7: Cultural competence

Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching consists of 45 days of professional placement within an Australian primary or secondary school.

Professional experience provides opportunities for you to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools or early childhood settings and to demonstrate your independent and professional capabilities as teachers.

Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Teaching can apply for conditional registration as a casual or temporary classroom teacher after just 12 months of study* as they work towards the NESA-accredited Master of Teaching.

The Master of Teaching is accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and approved by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) for Primary and the Secondary initial teacher education in accordance with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, however, students are advised to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding overseas accreditation requirements.

*At the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching students MUST be enrolled in a nationally accredited Master of Teaching course to be eligible for conditional accreditation.

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

Applicants’ qualifications must meet the requirements for admission for:
  1. Secondary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge); or
  2. Primary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge), AND NSW Band 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.
  3. Must undertake the UAC or QTAC non-academic entry requirement test.
To meet the minimum English Language requirement for admission to this course, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
  1. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards –Rule 2 – Section 2; or
  2. have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, a minimum overall score of 7.5, including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing in the English International English Language Test System (IELTS) test or approved equivalent as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2.

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
Overall Score7.5
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening8.0
Speaking8.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma Teaching, students must complete 10 units (the equivalent of 96 credit points) comprising:
  • 1 Specialisation (96 credit points) in Primary or Secondary; and
  • 2 professional Experience units (0 credit points); and
  • Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.
Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies.

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.

EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Co-requisites TCHR5005 - Professional Experience I - Primary OR TCHR5007 - Professional Experience I - Secondary
Enrolment information Students MUST achieve a Pass Grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence professional placement.
EDUC2014 Mathematics Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit Points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
TCHR5005 Professional Experience I - Primary
Dual Term2,3
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Co-requisites EDUC5012 - Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
Anti-requisites EDUC5002 - The Learning Environment
Enrolment information Students MUST achieve a Pass grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence the professional experience placement. All students are required to meet participation requirements including compulsory attendance at the residential, either online or face to face. Students MUST provide evidence of compliance for all placement requirements prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/ Only ONE placement can be completed in a Term unless approval has been granted by the Director of Professional Experience.
EDUC2011 Creative Arts Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
EDUC2012 English Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
N/A
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term2,4
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
TCHR5006 Professional Experience II - Primary
Dual Term2,3
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Pre-requisites TCHR5005 - Professional Experience I - Primary
Anti-requisites TCHR5002 - Professional Experience I: Enhancing Student Learning
Enrolment information Students MUST provide evidence of compliance for all placement requirements prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/ Only ONE placement can be completed in a Term unless approval has been granted by the Director of Professional Experience.
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
EDUC3013 Science and Technology Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit points in a Bachelor of Education course AND TCHR2004 - Professional Experience I - Primary OR TCHR2005 - Professional Experience II - Primary OR TCHR2009 - Professional Experience I - Secondary OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
Enrolment information Note: This unit involves 6 - 12 hours of community engaged learning. Students MUST have a Working with Children Check approved for their state or territory PRIOR to Week 1.
ENGL1004 English: Literature, Language and Literacy
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,5
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
EDUC2013 Human Society and its Environments: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
Term1
Pre-requisites 96 Credit Points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award.

EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Co-requisites TCHR5005 - Professional Experience I - Primary OR TCHR5007 - Professional Experience I - Secondary
Enrolment information Students MUST achieve a Pass Grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence professional placement.
FIRST Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy unit.
TCHR5007 Professional Experience I - Secondary
Dual Term2,3
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Co-requisites EDUC5012 - Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
Anti-requisites EDUC5002 - The Learning Environment
Enrolment information Students MUST achieve a Pass grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence the professional experience placement. All students are required to meet participation requirements including compulsory attendance at the residential, either online or face to face. Students MUST provide evidence of compliance for all placement requirements prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/ Only ONE placement can be completed in a Term unless approval has been granted by the Director of Professional Experience.
EDUC5003 Teaching and Learning Literacy and Numeracy in Context
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
EDUC3032 Classroom Management
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
Term4
Pre-requisites 96 Credit Points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
TCHR5008 Professional Experience II - Secondary
Dual Term2,3
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term2,3
Dual Term2,3
Pre-requisites TCHR5007 - Professional Experience I - Secondary
Anti-requisites TCHR5002 - Professional Experience I: Enhancing Student Learning
Enrolment information Students MUST complete a Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I unit for their chosen Secondary Subject Teaching area prior to enrolling this unit. Students MUST provide evidence of compliance and health protection prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/ Only ONE placement can be completed in a Term unless approval has been granted by the Director of Professional Experience.
EDUC3031 Teaching Students from Diverse Backgrounds
Summer Term
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term3
Summer Term
Term3
Online
Summer Term
Term3
N/A
Pre-requisites 96 Credit Points in a Bachelor of Education course OR admission to the 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching
SECOND Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy unit
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
Elective OR a Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I unit from the list above OR EDUC6009 -  Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being Note 2

Note 1:

This unit involves a professional experience placement.

Note 2:

If you are wanting to undertake additional Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy units please contact education.enquiry@scu.edu.au to confirm your course progression plan.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Choose either the Primary Specialisation or Secondary Specialisation

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Complete the following units to meet the requirements of the award:
EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
EDUC2014 Mathematics Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
TCHR5005 Professional Experience I - Primary Note 1
EDUC2011 Creative Arts Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDUC2012 English Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
TCHR5006 Professional Experience II - Primary Note 1
EDUC5001 Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
EDUC3013 Science and Technology Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
ENGL1004 English: Literature, Language and Literacy
EDUC2013 Human Society and its Environments: Curriculum and Pedagogy

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Complete the following units to meet the requirements of the award:
EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning
EDUC5003 Teaching and Learning Literacy and Numeracy in Context
EDUC3032 Classroom Management
EDUC3031 Teaching Students from Diverse Backgrounds
EDUC5001 Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
TCHR5007 Professional Experience I - Secondary Note 1
TCHR5008 Professional Experience II - Secondary Note 1
Choose one unit below for your approved first secondary teaching area.
EDUC2002 PDHPE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC2003 Mathematics: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC2004 Science: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC2006 Technologies and Design: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC2019 HSIE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC5007 Music: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC5008 Visual Arts: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
EDUC5009 Performing Arts: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
TCHR2001 English: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy I
AND, choose the second unit below for your approved first secondary teaching area
EDUC3005 PDHPE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC3003 Mathematics: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC3004 Science: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC3020 Technologies and Design: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC3019 HSIE: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC6014 Music: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC6015 Visual Arts: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
EDUC6016 Performing Arts: Curriculum and Pedagogy II
TCHR3002 English: Secondary Curriculum and Pedagogy II
AND, complete either;
If approved for a single teaching area, please choose one (1) university -wide elective. If approved for two teaching areas from different discipline areas, please choose the first Curriculum and Pedagogy unit for your second teaching area from the list above. If approved for two teaching areas within the same discipline area (Science, HSIE, Technology and Applied Sciences), please enrol in the following unit.
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being