Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education

You will find employment opportunities as an inclusion teacher, support teacher or special education teacher working in a range of educational settings. You will be able to advance your professional career to senior leadership positions in special and inclusive education.

Please note that this degree does not lead to teacher registration.

Higher education

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 Proficiency Requirements

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

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.