Graduate Diploma In Education

The Graduate Diploma in Education (GDipEd) is a professional pre-service course in education for graduates of this or another approved university who seek teacher qualifications. It also serves as an introduction to the study of education for those who will later pursue further studies in the field, for example at the Masters level.

Intending applicants for the Graduate Diploma course are advised that it may be necessary to restrict enrolments. If this is necessary, selection to the course will be made on the basis of academic merit and suitability of the first degree to teaching requirements. Preference will be given to graduates of the University of Wollongong. A statement of interests and experience in Education will also be requested from applicants and will be considered as part of the selection process.

The main aim of the course is to provide a professional course of pre-service education for intending primary and 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, capable of contributing to the formulation of curriculum in schools and, most important, committed to their own continuous professional growth.

The course is for one year full-time, over an extended academic year of 36 teaching weeks from early February to early December and it is not possible to commence the course in the middle of the year. The GDipEd program involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, individual assignments, group exercises and nine weeks of full-time work in local schools. Methods work and practice teaching are provided in co-operation with local schools. Students are advised that the structure of the course makes it preferable that it be undertaken full-time. Students who wish to pursue the course part-time should consult the Director - Graduate Diploma in Education before enrolling.

Assessment
Students must satisfactorily complete every subject and major component in their program of study before the Graduate Diploma will be awarded. Assessment for each subject in the GDipEd program will be determined by individual lecturers. More specific details of assessment will be given in individual subject outlines.

Attendance
Each session is divided into a number of blocks, each of which is either school or University based. As a result the course timetable changes several times during the year. Details of lecture contact hours, and other time commitments expected of students, are outlined in the Graduate Diploma of Education Handbook distributed to students at the beginning of the academic year.

Course Costs:
The on-campus Graduate Diploma in Education program will remain a HECS paying program in 2000 for Australian citizens.

Course Outline
Students are required to complete subjects as set out below, with a total of 48 credit points:
For those students pursuing secondary school methods:

For those students pursuing primary school methods:

Methods Subjects

Students are required to complete successfully one Primary or two Secondary methods subjects. Methods subjects are central to the program and are offered throughout the year. The Method areas which may be available will differ from year to year. Methods currently offerred are: Social Science (HSIE), English, History, Drama, ESL, French, Italian, Japanese, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music. Students are advised to check with the Faculty regarding the availability of specific Methods subjects. Students are also advised to check with the Faculty through the Professional Officer, Pre-Service Teacher Education Unit, regarding the combinations of methods which will satisfy the requirements of the NSW Department of Education. A letter from the NSW Department of Education and Training stating that the student's undergraduate program is acceptable to the Department for recognition as a teacher of the chosen methods area(s) is required of each student by the beginning of the course.