Course Information

Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary)

Effective from 01-JAN-2016 : Code W82

This is a dynamic course dedicated to preparing future teachers for the secondary education profession. It is designed specifically to develop professional knowledge in both theory and essential practice within real classrooms, and students are provided with all the necessary tools to become successful and confident teachers. The course incorporates proven contemporary teaching and classroom management strategies, curriculum understanding and practical school experience, to qualify graduates to teach in a major and minor area of study in secondary schools in both the private and government sector, and to meet the highest standards in personal ethics and practice to which the profession demands.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

Central to this course is an extensive program of Professional Practice in schools which culminates in the Final Professional Practice in the final semester of the course. Because of its responsibility for the education, safety and well-being of children in schools, the teaching profession demands the highest professional standards and personal ethics.

Duty of care

To undertake a Professional Practice in a school, all teaching students must have supplied ECU with evidence of a National Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC) from the Department of Education WA. In addition, all teaching students 18 years of age and over must have supplied ECU with evidence of a Working with Children Check from the Department of Child Protection WA. Further information is available at www.det.wa.edu.au/screening/detcms/portal/

Attendance requirements

All Professional Practices are undertaken on a full-time basis and teaching students are required to give a full-time commitment to the school during the scheduled Professional Practice periods.

Professional practice rules

The Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct for ECU Pre-service Teachers can be accessed at www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-practice

Implications of failing

Students may be excluded from the course if they fail the practicum.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

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.

Admission requirements

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years appropriate professional experience

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have successfully completed a recognised undergraduate Bachelor degree from a university, or equivalent from another tertiary institution. The degree must be a discipline-specific qualification relevant to the Australian curriculum that provides a suitable background for teaching a specialisation area of the secondary curriculum. For secondary teaching this is at least a major study in one teaching area and preferably a second teaching area comprising at least a minor study. Study undertaken for a major study will be equivalent to a total of three-quarters of a year of successful full time higher education study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years. In most programs, this equates to at least six units, with no more than two at first year level and no fewer than two units at third year level. Study undertaken for a minor study will be equivalent to a total of half a year of successful higher education study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. In most programs, this equates to at least four units, with no more than two at first year level. This course requires students to specialise in two teaching areas. The first area will be to teach Years 7-12 in secondary schools and the second to teach Years 7-10. To qualify for a specialisation there are requirements in each area that need to be met. For 7-12 specialisations students would have completed their undergraduate qualification within the field and have completed at least 6 undergraduate units in that area - generally constituting the major component of their undergraduate degree. For 7-10 specialisations, students will need to have completed 4 units in their undergraduate degree in that area - generally constituting the minor component of their undergraduate degree. One or more of the specialisations in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the specialisation for more information.

Students must attain an Academic IELTS with an overall band minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0).
Note:

  • If secondary education and degree studies were completed in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, applicants do not need to provide proof of English competency.
  • Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English and have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have met English language requirements for entry to the Graduate Diploma of Education

For equivalent test requirements refer to ECU English Standards Policy.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 1 Year
  • Part Time: 2 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
  • Mount Lawley: Full Time, Part Time

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU4230Classroom Management and Instruction10
EDU4231Beginning Teaching: Theory and Practice10
Unit from SpecialisationYears 7-1210
Unit from SpecialisationYears 7-1010
PPA4150 #First Professional Practice10
PPA4250 #Second Professional Practice10
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU4332Diversity and Inclusion: The Differentiated Classroom10
EDU4333 *Assessment, Reporting and Professionalism in Teaching10
Unit from SpecialisationYears 7-1210
Unit from SpecialisationYears 7-1010
PPA4350 #Final Professional Practice20

# Designated Unit - a Unit or Unit of Competency which a School has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners.
* Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.

Unit sets that can be studied as part of this course


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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