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:

• Primary (Years Prep - 7)

• Middle Years of Schooling (Years 5 - 9)

• Secondary (Years 8 - 12)

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 sport and leisure centre management, personal training, life coaching and human services.

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 “one year of professional studies in education” academic requirement for eligibility for registration as a teacher through the Queensland College of Teachers.

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);

• High levels of facility with personal and professional literacies; and

• • A particular awareness, understanding and positive orientation towards redressing the educational disadvantages experienced 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 Primary pathway must demonstrate adequate coverage across the P-7 Key Learning Areas in their first degree or other studies; applicants for Middle Years must demonstrate coverage across the Key Learning Areas and, in addition, discipline knowledge in two teaching areas; and Secondary pathway applicants must demonstrate discipline knowledge in two defined teaching areas in their first degree or other studies.

International Students

As for domestic students, above.

All applicants must have a good command of the English language. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must meet the specific USQ requirements for English proficiency: in particular an IELTS score of 7.00 with no component below 7.00 is required.

How to apply

Domestic students 2010

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

International students 2010

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

Commonwealth supported place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

Domestic full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

International full fee paying place

You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder, however please note that until the 2010 fees are published on 1 October 2009 these amounts may be used as an estimate only.

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.

Program completion requirements

Depending on whichever sector-based pathway is chosen, in order to complete the Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching, a student must complete 8 specified units of study. See the table below:

Professional Experience All students, domestic and international, must complete the majority of their supervised professional experience in Australian schools.

Language Proficiency All students, domestic and international, must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 to successfully complete program requirements.

Students must also complete all requirements associated with an initial 30-hour Induction Program prior to the first semester of study.

Required time limits

Minimum 1 year Maximum 4 years

Major studies

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

• 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)

Major studies objectives

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 around 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 around 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 around thirteen to eighteen years of age to reach their full potential through secondary schooling.

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 the College’s minimum requirements for the total number of days of professional experience overall (75).

Within each sector strand, the professional experience components of the program are all tied to four courses, so that students undertake two professional experience placements in both semesters of full-time enrolment.

In order to undertake the 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 courses in the first semester of the full-time enrolment pattern. For EDG4000 – Professional Placement and Portfolio there is the additional requirement that students undertaking the embedded placement in a Queensland school will need to have been granted an Internship Authority by the Queensland College of Teachers.

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

The major program requirements are the satisfactory completion of 8 specified units and 75 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

A 30-hour induction program, 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 the Semester 1 intake each year this induction program is held at the Toowoomba campus in February. For the Semester 2 intake each year the equivalent induction program is held at the Fraser Coast campus in late June/early July. Students who elect not to attend the induction program in person must complete an equivalent on-line induction program prior to commencement of the first semester of formal study.

Exemptions

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 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.

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 20 days.

In this section:

• Primary - recommended enrolment pattern
• Middle Years of School - recommended enrolment pattern
• Secondary - recommended enrolment pattern
• Primary - part-time recommended enrolment pattern
• Middle years part-time recommended enrolment pattern
• Secondary part-time recommended enrolment pattern

Primary - recommended enrolment pattern

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

Primary

Middle Years of School - recommended enrolment pattern

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

Secondary - recommended enrolment pattern

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

Primary - part-time recommended enrolment pattern

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

Middle years part-time recommended enrolment pattern

Secondary part-time recommended enrolment pattern