Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education will have:

1. specialist knowledge for adjusting and differentiating areas of the Australian curriculum for students with special needs in inclusive and specialist settings
2. specialist knowledge for preventing and responding to student problem behaviour that interferes with learning and achievement
3. specialist knowledge or professional engagement with school staff and parents in order to better support the learning and behaviour of students with special needs in inclusive and specialist settings.

Do you work with or wish to work with students with special needs within primary, secondary and special schools? This program offers an evidence-based approach to equip you with the essential specialist knowledge and skills to engage with school staff and parents to better support the learning and behaviour of students with special needs.

Although this program does not qualify you as a teacher, it will be attractive to those already working with, or who wish to work with, students with special needs within a school setting. An evidence-based approach will equip you with essential specialist knowledge and skills to engage with school staff and parents in order to better support the learning and behavior of a diverse range of students with special needs.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Adjustments and Differentiation

• Managing Behaviours that challenge

• Reading Intervention

• Consultation and Collaboration

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education (GCertSpNeedsEd), a student must acquire 40 credit points as prescribed below:

• gain 40 credit points for the prescribed subjects.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

21

To be eligible for admission to this Graduate Certificate program, applicants must have:

• a bachelors degree (or equivalent) and preferably with full-time teaching experience.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University policy for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Postgraduate Programs Admission Policy

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.

• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.

• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies