GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION

Application and Course Information
General Enquiries
Entry Criteria
Entry Requirements
How To Apply  
The Program
Professional Experience
Applying for Employment as a Teacher 

Application and Course Information 2009

The Graduate Diploma in Education (GDE) is currently offered as a professional postgraduate teacher education program for graduates of the University of Wollongong or other approved universities who seek recognised teacher qualifications in primary and secondary education. It also serves as an introduction to the disciplines of education for those who may wish to pursue higher studies in the field.

Recent changes instigated by the NSW Institute of Teachers (NSWIT), have resulted in modifications to the nature and duration of the Graduate Diploma in Education for 2009. It is imperative that you refer, on a regular basis, to the Faculty of Education's web page for updates.

The program is run over three sessions (semesters) accelerated into one calendar year, which extends beyond the standard academic year. It involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, individual assignments, group exercises and blocks of supervised practice teaching in schools. Teaching practice and experience in classroom settings are provided in collaboration with local schools. The program provides a teaching qualification that is recognised by the NSWIT, the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET), the Catholic Education Office, the Association of Independent Schools and employing authorities in other states. It is also accepted internationally.

Notes:

• Entry to the program is competitive, as applications normally exceed the available places.
• Places are only offered for the Methods listed below.
• All UOW programs are ONLY available as full-time, on-campus programs. No distance or flexible delivery options are available.
• There is no mid-year entry into UOW teacher-training programs, including the GDE.

• All applications should be submitted to UniAdvice, UOW, Wollongong Campus.

  Offers are made in early December 2008. Acceptance and enrollment are in January 2009.

  You cannot defer your offer into the program. You will need to re-apply for each year in which you wish to study.

  No other courses may be studied concurrently with the GDE. You will not be permitted to enrol in additional subjects to complete undergraduate degree requirements while enrolled in the GDE. 

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General Enquiries

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Entry Criteria

The following criteria are used to determine entry:

1. Applicants must hold a completed Bachelor's degree before commencing the Graduate Diploma program. This degree must meet the NSWIT's requirements for teaching in the desired teaching method.
2. A Letter of Assessment, issued by the Faculty of Education, must be included in your application. See Assessing Your Degree.
3. UOW graduates receive preference in the offers of places in the program. It is expected that this trend will continue. That is, first preference will be given to eligible UOW graduates. Applicants from other universities will be considered where spaces are available.
4. A strong academic performance is required. That is, at least a credit average, for example, a minimum WAM of 70.
5. Demonstrated interest, and/or previous related experience, for example, coaching a sporting team, teaching scripture or training in the work place will be considered. Applicants should include this documentation with their application.
6. There are a number of positions reserved for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students. Students should indicate in their application if they wish to be considered for these places.
7. The deadline for submission of the completed application to UniAdvice, including the Faculty assessment, is 31 October 2008.

Planning Your Studies

For more detailed descriptions of each category, please refer to the NSWIT Subject Content Requirements.

The GDE Assessment Guide (the GDE Guide) contains information you need to make a self-assessment and complete informal and formal request applications.

Assessing Your Degree

The GDE Assessment Guide (the GDE Guide) contains information you need to make a self-assessment and complete informal and formal request applications.

1. Self-Assessment
   Use the GDE guide to determine your eligibility and inform your future subject selection.
2. Informal Assessment [available only to UOW students]
   Submit the 'Informal Assessment Request' in the GDE guide to the Student Service Centre.
3. Formal Assessment
   You must submit an 'Application for Formal Assessment' in the guide prior to enrolling in the GDE.

Please allow thirty working days for the return of your assessment advice. 

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Entry Requirements

Listed below is an outline of the subject content areas required in an undergraduate degree that are recognised by the NSWIT for teaching in Primary schools or in specific Secondary subject areas. For more detailed descriptions of each category, please refer to the NSWIT Subject Content Requirements.

Primary

The NSWIT requires a minimum of two semester subjects in four key learning areas OR four semester subjects (with at least two at 200 level) in one key learning area and two semester in two other key learning areas. 

The key learning areas are:

• English
• Maths
• Science and Technology
• Human Society and Its Environment
• Creative and Practical Arts
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Secondary

The NSWIT requirements for secondary teaching areas are:

1. First Teaching Area
   At least six semester subjects in one area with at least four of those subjects at second year (200) level.
2. Second Teaching Area
   At least four semester subjects in one area with at least two of those subjects at second year (200) level.

Teaching areas offered at UOW are as follows:

• Single method (choose any two)
  English; Art; Computer Studies (Information Systems or Software Design); Drama; Modern History; Geography; Legal Studies; Business Studies/Commerce; French Language; Music.
  
  OR
  
• Double method (choose one)
  Science; Mathematics; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Art; Music; Computer Studies.

Some teaching areas may not be offered if demand is low.

The DET is offering scholarships for studies in Mathematics, Science and English. For further details contact the DET Scholarships Unit. 

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How To Apply

1. Apply to the Faculty of Education for a formal assessment of your studies. Download the GDE Application Guide.
2. Complete a Postgraduate Coursework Application form available from UniAdvice (Building 36) or download one from here.
3. Attach your Letter of Assessment.
4. Attach a maximum one page statement regarding your teaching philosophy and a maximum one page overview of any previous formal or informal teaching positions or leadership roles.
5. Submit your application to UniAdvice by 31 October.

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The Program

The GDE is a very intensive, full time program, which extends beyond the standard Autumn and Spring Session academic year. The timetable changes several times during the year and there are 12 weeks of full time professional experience in schools or community settings. Students must ensure that any part-time work commitments do not conflict with this schedule.

In 2009, students studying in the  Primary GDE will start on January 19, 2009 and are expected to be available every day during session.

The teaching session for Secondary GDE students will start on 16 February, 2009.

Work commitments will not be accepted as a reason for non-attendance at classes.

The GDE program comprises 72 credit points for the primary and 54 credit points for the secondary programs, organised into four strands:

• Person
• Professional Skills
• Place
• Pedagogy

The practical application of these campus-based strands is realised during the Professional Experience.

Person

This strand explores the nature of the learner and the role of the teacher. It will include a focus on the psychology and pedagogy of learners with an emphasis on their diverse needs. Issues of classroom management will be explored through the lens of the diversity of learners and their environments. Issues relating to personal development and health will be explored, including child protection and welfare.

Professional Skills

This strand covers the skills required of teachers as professionals. Emphasis on the development of language and literacy skills, encompassing communication, listening, interviewing, library researching, reporting and personal use of information and communication technology. Focus on developing awareness of school culture and the wider community, developing skills in intercultural communication, class management and protocol to support student welfare. Tertiary literacy development is expressed through the organization and presentation of assessment tasks in a developing portfolio.

Place

This strand is a critical study of the educational policies, historical, social and cultural contexts and philosophical underpinnings of education as they apply to the experiences of learners in schools, in particular, NSW schools. This subject focuses on the diversity of school contexts and learners, and the welfare of students. Teachers' values, perceptions and judgments and the way these impact on assessment and evaluation of student learning are systematically explored in conjunction with processes of curriculum development, implementation and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the ways in which gender, aboriginality, ethnicity, class, sexuality and difference are constructed. Language use, teaching strategies, student welfare, assessment and information technology in the curriculum are critically examined.

Pedagogy 

Teaching methodology subjects draw on students' undergraduate and other GDE studies to examine the practical aspects of planning and implementing relevant curricula in the classroom. Most of the teaching methodology subjects are taught by experienced teachers from schools in the Illawarra region. Also the number of places in some methods subjects may have to be limited if applications exceed capacity.

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Professional Experience

This is a compulsory component of the degree. It focuses on field experience in schools and on practice teaching in schools. Emphasis is placed on lesson planning and classroom management, and catering for a diversity of learners in the classroom. Students will also be required to reflect on the role of the teacher in child protection and welfare. Supervised professional experience is undertaken in local schools in the Illawarra area. There are options to undertake part of the professional experience overseas or in other parts of NSW. There may also be opportunities to support local schools and community groups in other ways.

Professional Experience 2009

In 2009 there will be three periods of professional experience in the program; the first is two blocks: three-weeks and three- weeks respectively. The initial three-week block occurs just prior to Easter, the second,three-week block is in June. The third practice teaching block is for five weeks in October/November. There are also five professional experience days across both sessions.

Criminal Record Check

The DET requires all teacher education students applying for placement or employment to undergo a criminal record check prior to commencement in a NSW Government school. This check will be conducted the NSW Police Service and will be coordinated by the DET. This information will be confidential. This procedure will be further explained at enrolment. Students who require any further information on the process should contact the Director of Professional Experience.

Overseas Professional Experience

Students in the program have the option of undertaking the first three weeks of the second professional experience overseas. The overseas experience will be in June 2009 and parallels and earns the same credit towards the Graduate Diploma as the three-week local professional experience. The time overseas offers an illuminating professional experience that is both different from and yet relevant to teaching in Australia. In addition, through contacts with teachers and students, there is the opportunity for a much more meaningful interaction with a different culture than is available to most overseas visitors.

NOTE: A limited number of places are available for overseas Professional Experience.

Costs

• Fiji approximately $3000
• China approximately $3000
• Malaysia approximately $3000

More information will be available at the start of the GDE program and it will not be necessary to make a decision until the program commences.

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Applying for Employment as a Teacher

Completion of an undergraduate degree plus the GDE gives the graduate provisional accreditation recognised for employment in all NSW Government, church and independent school systems. Other states may have different requirements: graduates should contact each employing body for more details.

Graduates will be guided through the  interview and selection processes for employment with the NSW Department of Education.

Canadian graduates: The Faculty will assist in organising registration in ONE province (generally Ontario) for Canadian students returning to teach in Canada. Canadian students requiring registration in more than one province, or who change provinces, must follow the steps outlined in the Exit Information brochure. (Download here)

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Last reviewed: 4 September, 2008