Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (GDTL) - GradDipL&T

CRICOS code (International applicants): 055149B

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Program focus

This program is designed to enable degree-level graduates to acquire a recognised teacher education qualification. This innovative and flexible program develops knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for success in the work of contemporary educators.

The flexibility of the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching program allows students to balance the competing demands of work, family and study.

There is a professional experience component within this program. Students are able to choose from the following specialisations:

• Early Years of School (Years Prep - 3)

• Primary (Years Prep - 7)

• Middle Years of Schooling (Years 5 - 9)

• Secondary (Years 8 - 12)

• Vocational Education and Training (Years 11, 12 and beyond).

Career opportunities

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching program will be well qualified for employment as teachers in schools in Queensland, elsewhere in Australia and in many overseas jurisdictions, as well as in a range of alternative education settings and in the diverse and expanding post-compulsory sector.

Other career opportunities exist in the many emerging fields where the teaching-related skills of communication and educational management are critical, in conjunction with the appropriate specific discipline knowledge. Examples of such careers include, for example, sport and leisure centre management, personal training, life coaching, human services and financial planning.

There are further career opportunities available in industry, particularly in the roles and functions related to training.

Professional accreditation

Graduates from the program will have met the qualifications requirement for teacher registration with the Queensland College of Teachers, if all other requirements have been met, including "normally at least one major supervised professional experience should be conducted in a Queensland school".

Program aims

The Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching program aims to graduate students who demonstrate:

• the knowledge, skills, practices and values inherent in the Queensland College of Teachers' ten Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers see http://www.qct.edu.au/standards/index.html

• the qualities and skills required of a USQ graduate (see Section 4.2.5 of the University Calendar)

• the attributes of a Faculty of Education graduate

• high levels of facility with personal and professional literacies, and

• a particular awareness, understanding and positive orientation towards redressing the educational disadvantages suffered by indigenous students.

Admission requirements

Domestic Students

A minimum of a recognised three-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a discipline other than education is required.

Applicants for the Early Years and Primary pathways must demonstrate adequate coverage across the P-7 Key Learning Areas in their first degree or other studies, applicants for Middle Years and Secondary pathways must demonstrate discipline knowledge in two defined teaching areas in their first degree or other studies.

International Students

As for domestic students, above. Further, where an international applicant's circumstances require an IELTS test, a score of 7.0 across all categories is required for eligibility for admission.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Student contribution amount

For domestic students who are offered Commonwealth supported places, the Government pays some money directly to the University, but students are also required to make a contribution. This contribution is called the ‘student contribution’. For more information about student contribution amounts, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ fees.

Tuition fee

Domestic fee-paying places are funded entirely through the tuition/direct fees paid by the student. Tuition/direct fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. For more information about Tuition Fees, including the calculation of fees for a particular program of study, refer to USQ Fees.

International fees

International students pay tuition fees. For details about international student fees, refer to the International Fee Schedule provided by USQ International.

Program structure

The one-year Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching requires 8 units at undergraduate level. A minimum of two semesters of study must be undertaken.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.

Program completion requirements

In order to complete the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching a student must complete 8 units of study:

• EDC4100 The Emergent Professional

• EDC4200 Internship for Educators

• GDE3001 Learners and Learning

• GDE3002 Contexts and Environments

• GDE3003 Planning and Teaching

• GDE3004 Guiding and Managing

• GDE4005 Assessing and Reporting

• GDE4006 Relating and Collaborating

Students must also attend and complete all requirements associated with an initial 5-day Residential School prior to the first semester of study.

Please consult the Residential School Schedule for the dates.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 4 years to complete this program.

Major studies

All students must select one of five available areas of specialisation in the form of an identified sector of education/schooling, as follows:

• Early Years of School (understood, in Queensland, as the school years Prep – 3)

• Primary (understood, in Queensland, as the school years Prep – 7)

• Middle Years of School (understood, in Queensland, as the school years 5 – 9)

• Secondary (understood, in Queensland, as the school years 8 – 12)

• Vocational Education and Training (understood, in Queensland, as the post-compulsory school years, involving working with students under 20 years of age).

Within each of the program’s eight courses, there are sector-specific modules for students and the professional experience placements must match the student’s specialisation sector.

Major studies objectives

Early years of school

In addition to the whole-of-program aims and objectives described above, the Early Years of School specialisation aims to prepare graduates with sound levels of knowledge and understanding appropriate to working as educators with children from five to eight years of age.

Primary

In addition to the whole-of-program aims described above, the Primary specialisation aims to prepare graduates with sound levels of knowledge and understanding appropriate to working as educators with children from five to twelve years of age.

Middle years of school

In addition to the whole-of-program aims described above, the Middle Years of School specialisation aims to prepare graduates with sound levels of discipline and pedagogic content knowledge in their nominated teaching areas and across the Key learning Areas and who will thus be able to apply a range of teaching and learning approaches to support the development of students from ten to fourteen years of age within a variety of school structures.

Secondary

In addition to the whole-of-program aims described above, the Secondary specialisation aims to prepare graduates with sound levels of discipline and pedagogic content knowledge in their nominated teaching areas and who will thus be able to apply a range of teaching and learning approaches to support the development of knowledge, understanding and skills that will help students from thirteen to eighteen years of age to reach their full potential through secondary schooling.

Vocational education and training

In addition to the whole-of-program aims described above, the Vocational Education and Training specialisation aims to prepare graduates with expertise in their nominated vocational area/s who are able to apply a range of teaching and learning approaches to support the development of vocational and technical knowledge, understanding and skills that will help learners up to the age of 20 to effectively transition from school to work, and develop into self-directed, lifelong learners.

Practical experience

The Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching program complies with all requirements of the Queensland College of Teachers in terms of the minimum number of supervised days mandated (55) and exceeds the College’s minimum requirements for the total number of days of professional experience overall (80, rather than 75).

The professional experience components of the program are all tied to three courses, so that students undertake a professional experience placement in both semesters of full-time enrolment.

In order to undertake the two courses to which professional experience placements are attached in the second half of the program it is a requirement that students will have satisfactorily completed the professional experience course in the first semester of the full-time enrolment pattern. For EDC4200 Internship for Educators there is the additional requirement that students undertaking the placement in a Queensland school will need to have been granted an Internship Authority by the Queensland College of Teachers.

The Faculty of Education appoints a specific liaison staff member for every student and host school/site for every placement, with the critical role of being the key source of information, advice and support for all parties involved in the placement

For further information, see http://www.usq.edu.au/education/profexp/default.htm

IT requirements

Students must have reliable and ready access to email and the internet. Broadband would be a significant advantage. See http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/hardware.htm

Other program requirements

There are no program requirements other than the satisfactory completion of 8 specified units and 80 days of approved professional experience. However, in order to undertake the professional experience, and certain other activities with young people identified in various course specifications, it is required that Queensland-based students hold a current positive notice indicating that they are deemed suitable for working with children and young people. Further information about the “Blue Card” suitability process is available from the Commission for Children and Young People.

Residential schools

A five-day residential school, compulsory for all students regardless of location or mode of enrolment/study is held prior to commencing formal studies in the first semester of enrolment. For semester 1 intake each year this residential school is held at the Toowoomba campus in February. For the Semester 2 intake each year the equivalent residential school is held at the Fraser Coast campus in late June/early July.

Students attend a second residential school of four days duration once they have completed the first four courses (including the first professional experience placement of 30 days) before embarking on their studies in the second half of the program. This "mid-program" residential school is held twice per year: in July at the Toowoomba campus and in November at the Fraser Coast campus.

Students participate in a final residential school of one day after the completion of EDC4200 Internship for Educators . This activity takes the form of a synchronous on-campus/on-line student conference and is held twice per year: in December at the Toowoomba campus and in July at the Fraser Coast campus.

Exemptions

Students may seek exemption from courses on the basis of documented prior study at University level or equivalent qualifications and experience. Such applications will be considered on their merits in relation to the extent to which the documentation supplied by the student demonstrates a clear match with the objectives of the course for which the exemption is sought. A maximum of four units of credit may be allowable.

There are no exemptions available from courses completed in the degree that formed the basis for the student’s admission to the program, but students who have completed degrees or diplomas in addition to the degree that formed the basis of their admission to the program may apply for any credit that may be applicable from that source.

Students who have documented evidence of satisfactory work in the role of teacher (or similar) may be eligible to seek credit for some of the required days of professional experience on the basis of recognition of current competence. Such applications must be supported by formal documentation from a school principal on school letterhead. The maximum credit available in such circumstances shall not exceed 30 days.

Recommended enrolment pattern

The one-year Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching requires 8 units at undergraduate level. A minimum of two semesters of study must be undertaken.

Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.