Program Overview

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary)

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is a postgraduate qualification designed for individuals with an existing degree in another field who aspire to become high school teachers. This course equips students to teach with provisional registration in Western Australian secondary schools after one year of full-time study.

Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is delivered through partnerships between the University and individual schools, allowing students to gain experience in a range of settings, including public, metropolitan, rural, regional, and remote schools. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to teach in a major and minor area of study in secondary schools in both the private and government sectors.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma Award.

Course Code

The course code for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) is C92.

Entry Requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply. Students must have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognized areas of school provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree.

Admissions

ECU admission profile applies.

Fees

• Commonwealth supported: estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $4,750
• International students: estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $37,700

Duration

The course is 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent.

Availability and Campus

The course is available at the Joondalup campus, with options for full-time and part-time study.

Course Structure

The course structure includes:

• Year 1 - Semester 1:
  • EDU6230: Classroom Management and Instruction (10 credit points)
  • EDU6231: Learning and Teaching: From Theory to Practice (10 credit points)
  • Unit from Specialisation: Major Area Specialisation (10 credit points)
  • Unit from Specialisation: Minor Area Specialisation (10 credit points)
  • PPA6150: First Professional Practice (20 credit points)
• Year 1 - Semester 2:
  • EDU6332: Diversity and Inclusion: The Differentiated Classroom (10 credit points)
  • EDU6333: Assessment and Reporting in Teaching (10 credit points)
  • Unit from Specialisation: Major Area Specialisation (10 credit points)
  • Unit from Specialisation: Minor Area Specialisation (10 credit points)
  • PPA6250: Second Professional Practice (20 credit points)

Specialisations

Students can choose from a range of specialisations, including:

• Art Education
• Dance Education
• Design and Technology Education
• Digital Technology Education
• Drama Education
• English Education
• Food and Materials Technologies: Home Economics
• Health and Physical Education
• Health Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences Education
• Instrumental Music Education
• Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
• Learning Enrichment: Students with Additional Needs
• Mathematics Education
• Media Education
• Music Education
• Science Education
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Course Notes

Practicum Requirement

Students must complete 2 units as follows:

• PPA6150: First Professional Practice (25 days)
• PPA6250: Second Professional Practice (25 days) Total Professional Experience Days: 50

Attendance Requirements

Generally, host schools and centers require pre-service teachers to attend the placement on a full-time basis and meet their specific attendance requirements.

Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

Pre-service teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Experience.

Professional Practice Rules

During the placement, it is imperative that pre-service teachers always demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-service teachers must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the applicable University policies and rules.

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession.

Career Opportunities

This course provides an employment pathway nested within ECUs nationally accredited Master of Teaching (Secondary) course. Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) will meet the qualification requirements for Provisional Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).