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Graduate Diploma of Teaching - A pathway to the Master 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 course provides a flexible pathway for graduates of other disciplines who wish to become a teacher in either a primary or secondary school setting. The course develops evidence-based practice for a career where you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people.

You can choose a specialisation in either Primary Education or Secondary Education. The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is self-paced, with access to all content and resources online and includes 45 days of supervised teaching practice undertaken in schools.

Students of this course can apply for provisional registration (Graduate Teacher) with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA), while enrolled in their last term of study. Applicants to the TRBWA are encouraged to review the requirements for Provisional Registration.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is not accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) but offers articulation into a NESA-approved Master of Teaching to enable full eligibility for registration as a teacher, once complete. 

Graduates of this course receive eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross University 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.

Students enrolled in the online Graduate Diploma of Teaching (GDoT) who live in New South Wales (NSW) are not permitted to undertake placements in NSW government schools; they can only complete their placements in non-government NSW schools. Additionally, online GDoT students residing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) cannot undertake placements in either government or non-government schools and must complete their placements in neighbouring states, such as non-government schools in NSW. GDoT students are encouraged to review the placement restrictions and limitations specific to their state or territory.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Southern Cross University Graduate Diploma of Teaching is formally recognised by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Applicants to the TRBWA are encouraged to review the requirements for Provisional Registration.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is not accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) but offers articulation into a NESA-approved Master of Teaching to enable full eligibility for registration as a teacher, once complete.

Note: Graduates of this course receive eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching.

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:

a. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2; or

b. have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (AQF7 or higher) of at least 3 years of full-time study in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland; or

c. have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, International Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test score minimum of 7.0 across all bands 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 Score7.0
Reading7.0
Writing7.0
Listening7.0
Speaking7.0

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma Teaching, students must complete 9 units (the equivalent of 96 credit points) comprising:

  • 1 Specialisation (96 credit points) in Primary or Secondary; and
  • 1 Professional Experience unit (0 credit points); and
  • Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.


Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. Preparatory coursework components must be completed prior to the commencement of placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.


Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

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
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
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
Term1,3
Perth N/A
Term1,3
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
EDUC3032 Classroom Management
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Perth N/A
Term2,4
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
Term2,4
Perth N/A
Term2,4
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
TCHR5013 PG Professional Experience 1 - Primary: Foundations of Practice
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
Perth
Tri Term2
Tri Term2
Pre-requisites EDUC5012 - Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning OR (or be enrolled in this unit in the same period).
Anti-requisites EDUC5002 - The Learning Environment OR TCHR5005 - Professional Experience I - Primary
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that involves placement in a school setting. Students MUST enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure that a placement can be arranged. Prior to placement, students must meet mandatory fit to practice obligations and provide evidence of compliance with all pre placement requirements. Failure to comply by the deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in the unit. Participation and attendance at the residential, is compulsory. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/ MUST achieve a Pass grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence the placement. GDTeach Primary students are to enrol in the Tri Term offering. MTeach Primary students are to enrol in the Dual Term offering.
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
Term3,5
Perth N/A
Term3,5
Pre-requisites Admitted to 1209001 - Master of Teaching OR 1108004 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching OR (96 Credit points in 3007002 - Bachelor of Education OR 3207022 - Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Arts; AND TCHR2004 - Professional Experience I - Primary OR TCHR2009 - Professional Experience I - Secondary OR TCHR2016 - Professional Experience 1 - Primary: Foundations of Practice OR TCHR2015 - Professional Experience 1 - Secondary: Foundations of Practice)
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.
EDUC5019 Brain and Learner: Navigating Processes and Contexts
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Perth
Term3,5
Term3,5
Anti-requisites EDUC5001 - Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
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
Perth N/A
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
EDUC2013 Human Society and its Environments: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Perth N/A
Term1,5
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
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Perth N/A
Term1,3,5
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
EDUC5003 Teaching and Learning Literacy and Numeracy in Context
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Perth N/A
Term2,4
EDUC3032 Classroom Management
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Perth N/A
Term2,4
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
TCHR5014 PG Professional Experience 1 - Secondary: Foundations of Practice
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
0 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
Dual Term3
Tri Term2
Perth
Tri Term2
Tri Term2
Pre-requisites EDUC5012 - Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning OR (or be enrolled in this unit in the same period)
Anti-requisites TCHR5007 - Professional Experience I - Secondary OR EDUC5002 - The Learning Environment
Enrolment information This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that involves placement in a school setting. Students MUST enrol in this unit by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure that a placement can be arranged. Prior to attending, students must meet mandatory fit to practice obligations and provide evidence of compliance with all pre placement requirements. Failure to comply by the deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in the unit. Participation and attendance at the residential, is compulsory. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/education/professionalexperience MUST achieve a Pass grade in EDUC5012 Education and Practice: Ways of Teaching and Learning to commence the professional experience placement. GDTeach Primary students are to enrol in the Tri Term offering. MTeach Primary students are to enrol in the Dual Term offering.
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
Summer Term
Term3
Perth N/A
Summer Term
Term3
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
EDUC5019 Brain and Learner: Navigating Processes and Contexts
Term3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Perth
Term3,5
Term3,5
Anti-requisites EDUC5001 - Education and Change: The Lifelong Learner
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
Term1,5
12 Note 2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term5
Term5
Gold Coast
Term1,5
Term1,5
Lismore
Term5
Term5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Perth N/A
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

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
EDUC3032 Classroom Management
EDUC2012 English Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy I
TCHR5013 PG Professional Experience 1 - Primary: Foundations of Practice Note 1
EDUC5019 Brain and Learner: Navigating Processes and Contexts
EDUC3013 Science and Technology Education: Curriculum and Pedagogy
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
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
EDUC5019 Brain and Learner: Navigating Processes and Contexts
EDUC6009 Education and Indigenous Australians: Ways of Knowing and Being
TCHR5014 PG Professional Experience 1 - Secondary: Foundations of Practice 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