The Graduate Diploma in Education is a one year full-time (or equivalent part-time) course of teacher preparation for persons holding an appoved degree or diploma.
A full-time course is offered to people who wish to complete a course of teacher training to equip them for teaching in post-primary schools or TAFE colleges.
A part-time course, undertaken over a minimum of two years, has been specially designed for people involved in a teaching role in post-primary schools, TAFE colleges, community education, the public service or in industrial training.
A Tertiary strand of the course is available on a part- time basis only, over a minimum of two years, for teachers in universities and other higher education institutions.
The Graduate Diploma in Education is accepted by the Victorian Ministry of Education, the Teachers' Registration Board and the Registered Schools' Board as an approved course of teacher training for post-primary teachers. It is also accepted by the Victorian TAFE Teaching Service Registration Board.
Aim of the Course
The major aim of the course is to enable trainee teachers to design, deliver and evaluate learning experiences that are meaningful to their students within the particular contexts in which they are teaching.
Course Resolution
"Standing Resolution R3.11A - GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION.
1. A person who has qualified for a degree in the University or has qualified in some other university or institution for a degree or diploma recognized for the purposes of this regulation may be admitted to the course for the graduate Diploma in Education.
2. The course of study and the conditions on which the course may he taken shall he as prescribed from time to time by the Academic Board on the recommendation of the University of Melbourne Institute of Education ('the Institute') and published with the details of subjects.
3. (a) A candidate shall pursue for at least one year the course of study prescribed and shall, except where otherwise permitted by the faculty, complete the course within three years of commencing the course: except that a candidate undertaking the course on a part- time basis shall complete the course within four years of commencing the course.
(b) Where a candidate who is undertaking a full-
time course of study fails to complete the course in one year, the faculty shall prescribe what further work must be completed by the candidate to qualify for the graduate diploma.
4. To qualify for the graduate diploma a candidate shall -
(a) attain a standard satisfactory to the faculty in such practical, written or other work as the faculty may with the approval of the Academic Board prescribe; and
(b) have completed satisfactorily the prescribed assessments."
Qualifications for Admission
Whilst academic qualfication(s) and performance in undergraduate years are the major consideration in selection, relevant major consideration in selection, relevant personal and professional experience and competenec in a language other than English are other factors which may be taken into account.
Special consideration will be given to applicants of Aboriginal descent and, for certain methods of teaching, to women.
Course Availability
Course intakes are available in February of each year. In addition a July intake may be available in some programs. It is School policy to interview applicants whose qualifications and work experience satisfy the eligibility criteria. The purpose of this interview (which usually lasts about 30 minutes) is to enable the School to assess applicants in terms of their suitability for admission to training, and to provide an opportunity for discussion about the course, and, where appropriate, future employment prospects.
Applicants for the part-time program are required to bring to interview evidence of employment in a teaching situation. Offers of entry will be conditional on the candidate maintaining an acceptable teaching role during the teaching experience phase of the program.
Course Structure
Throughout the academic year, trainees in the full- time course for the Graduate Diploma in Education spend three days each week undertaking professional and academic studies, and two days each week in the training school or college to which they have been appointed. Trainees in the part-time course attend evening classes and teach in their particular context.
The course may be offered through either a subject- based program or an integrated studies program.
Applicants will be counselled at interview regarding the details and availability of the various programs offered in the course.
Course Code
The Course Code for the Graduate Diploma in Education is 338.
Course Options
1. Full-time Post Primary Course. This comprises an integrated program of course work and concurrent supervised practice teaching experience.
1.1 Teaching Experience 30 points
All trainees are required to undertake an minimum of 45 days of supervised practice teaching experience in an allocated school.
1.2 Methods of Teaching 30 points
All trainees must undertake the equivalent of two single methods.
1.3 Integrated program 40 points
This program is designed to integrate all aspects of course work and teaching experience utilising groups formed on a multi-methods basis. NOTE:
Trainees in Outdoor Education undertake this part of the program as a discrete group.
2. Full-time TAFE Course. This program comprises subject-based and integrated course work and concurrent supervised practice teaching experience.
2.1 Teaching Experience 30 points All trainees are required to teach in a TAFE or related context under supervision for a minimum of 45 days.
2.2 Principles and Methods of Teaching 15 points
All trainees undertake this subject, from which method studies are developed in relation to each trainee's current teaching area of study.
2.3 Other Course Work 55 points
This comprises studies in educational psychology, communication studies, education and society and a complementary integrated program.
3. Part-time Course. This program comprises subject-based course work and concurrent supervised practice teaching experience.
Separate programs are conducted for post- primary trainees and those in TAFE and related contexts.
3.1 Teaching Experience 30 points
All trainees are required to undertake a minimum of 45 days of supervised practice teaching experience in their particular teaching context.
3.2 Principles and Methods of Teaching 40 points
All trainees undertake this subject from which method studies are developed in relation to each trainee's current teaching
Hawthorn Institute of Education — An Introduction 57 area of study. It is supplemented in the
second year of the course with a specific methods of teaching research project.
3.3 Other Course Work 30 points
This comprises studies in educational psychology, communication studies, and education and society. NOTE: All trainees in the above-mentioned course options are expected to possess a Work Place First Aid Level 1 (Emergency Life Support) certificate or its equivalent by the end of the course.
4. Tertiary Strand Course. This program is designed specifically to meet the needs of teachers in higher education institutions. It comprises related course work and concurrent supervised practice teaching experience.
4.1 Teaching Experience 30 points
All trainees are required to teach in their appropriate institution under the supervision of an allocated mentor colleague.
4.2 Principles and Methods of Teaching 25 points
This area of course work focuses on learning and instructional processes and. the design, management and evaluation of learning.
4.3 Other Course Work 45 points
This comprises studies in psychological principles and processes and issues related to the trainee's teaching context.
In the second year of the course each trainee completes an educational investigation research project. NOTE:
Candidates who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Instruction are eligible to enter the second year of the course and on
successful completion will be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Education (Clinical Instruction).
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have an approved degree or diploma from an approved institution. Preference may be given to degree holders who have, in addition, completed at least two years of work experience in the field of their basic qualification. Diploma holders must have completed not less than two years of relevant work experience.
For teaching at post-primary level the School currently offers teaching method studies in the following areas:
Accounting, Art, Business Studies, Clothing and Textiles, English, Graphic Communication, Home Economics, Humanities, Mathematics, Media Studies, Outdoor Education, Physical
Education, Science, Secretarial Studies, Social Education, Technology Studies, TESOL.
A wide range of teaching method areas are available in the part-time program, subject to the specialisms of candidates.
For teaching within TAFE colleges, higher education institutions and industrial,commercialorcommunity organisations, method studies are developed appropriate to the person's current teaching areas.
Applicants are required to have an appropriate background in the discipline(s) for which they are making application. Prior studies at major level in one area will be required and at least to sub-major level if a second method study is undertaken.
In addition, candidates in the part-time program must be employed in an acceptable teaching role, comprising a minimum of 4 hours per week of classroom teaching, throughout the course.
The Course Co-ordinator will determine whether or not the teaching role is acceptable in order to meet course requirements.
Proficiency in English Language
A high degree of proficiency in all aspects of English is desirable for all prospective teachers.
Consequently, applicants are advised that they may be required to take oral and/orwritten tests in English as part of the selection process.