Postgraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary

Testamur Title of Degree:

Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary

Abbreviation:

GDipEd

My University:

Education, Teaching, Secondary

Duration:

1 year

Total Credit Points:

54

Delivery Mode:

On campus

Starting Session(s):

GDE Autumn (February)

Location:

Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega

UOW Course Code:

686

CRICOS Code:

063259G

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Education Secondary provides a professional course of pre-service education for intending secondary school teachers. The structure of the program seeks to combine the practical and theoretical elements of teaching by engaging students in professional aspects, including Methods work and classroom practice, from the beginning of the course. Underpinning and integrated with the professional aspects are curriculum studies and the “foundation” disciplines of education. Each component is intended to contribute to the development of concepts and skills relating to an understanding of, and competence in, teaching. It is expected that prospective teachers will develop as autonomous professionals who will be competent, innovative, and capable of contributing to the formulation of curriculum in schools and committed to their own continuous professional growth.

The course is for one year full-time at Wollongong campus, over an extended academic year of 36 teaching weeks from mid February to late November. It is not possible to commence the course in the middle of the year and part-time study is only available at satellite campuses. The Methods areas offered each year will depend on the number of applications received in each area.

The GDipEd program involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, individual assignments, group exercises and 55 days (eleven weeks) of full-time professional experience in schools.

Literacy Requirements

To satisfy the outcomes of all professional experiences students will require highly developed written and spoken English literacy skills. Students may be required to complete private tuition or courses in English literacy to develop their spoken and written English skills to a level of competency that will enable them to meet professional experience outcomes. These outcomes are required to satisfactorily pass this course.

Entry Requirements

Entry is available to graduates of this or another approved university who seek teacher qualifications. Candidates must have also met the NSW Institute of Teachers' (NSWIT) subject content requirements for Secondary teaching in their undergraduate degree.

Entry to the course is based on academic merit and suitability of the first degree to teaching requirements as determined by NSWIT. Applicants must apply to the Faculty of Education for a Formal Assessment of their undergraduate degree prior to submitting a Postgraduate Coursework application for entry to the course. A statement of interests and experience in Education will be requested from applicants and will be considered as part of the selection process.

Prohibited Employment Legislation

Under the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, all students enrolled in this degree are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration before undertaking any professional experience that involves children or young people.

Course Requirements

Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements in their program of study before the Graduate Diploma in Education will be awarded. More specific details of assessment will be given in individual subject outlines.

Students are required to successfully complete:
1) all core subjects, including 55 days professional experience; and
2) 2 Methods subjects, in a combination approved by the Faculty of Education at the time of enrolment.

The Method areas which are available may differ from year to year. Secondary Methods currently offered are: Business Studies, Legal Studies, Geography, Modern History, English, Computing Studies, Drama, French, Mathematics, Science, Visual Art, Music, Physical and Health Education, Society and Culture. Students are advised to check with the Faculty regarding the availability of specific Methods subjects.

Course Program

Subjects

Session

Session

Credit Points

For those students pursuing secondary school methods: 54cp Program, as below.

EDGD800

Professional Experience

GDE Annual

GDE Spring/Autumn*

0

EDGD801

Learning and Behaviour

GDE Autumn

6

EDGD802

Educational Sociology

GDE Spring

6

EDGD804

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (not PHE methods students)

GDE Spring

6

EDGD805

Professional Skills for PDHPE(PHE students only)

GDE Spring

6

EDGD806

Aboriginal Education

GDE Autumn

6

EDGD807

Learners with Special Needs

GDE Spring

6

EDGD808

Quality Teaching

GDE Autumn

6

EDGD809

Literacy Across the Curriculum: Secondary

GDE Autumn

6

Plus two Secondary Methods in an approved combination, chosen from the following list (6cp each)

EDGD820

Science Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD821

Science Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD822

Mathematics Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD823

Mathematics Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD824

English Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD825

Modern History Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD826

Geography Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD827

Business Studies Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD828

Legal Studies Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD829

Music Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD830

Music Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD831

Visual Arts Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD832

Visual Arts Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD833

Drama Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD834

French Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD835

Computer Studies Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD836

Computer Studies Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD837

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Method 1

GDE Annual

6

EDGD838

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Method 2

GDE Annual

6

EDGD839

Modern Languages Method

GDE Annual

6

EDGD840

Society and Culture Method

GDE Annual

6

*This instance is only available to part-time students (3 semester) commencing in Autumn 2013 at Bega, Batemans Bay and Shoalhaven.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
Education email: ssc@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 7 February, 2014