Graduate Diploma of Teaching

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education.
• Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.
• Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.

GA2: Creativity

• Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and decision-making in education.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.
• Apply advanced knowledge of curriculum content, educational framework, legislation and code of conduct in educational contexts.
• Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts.
• Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Apply advanced knowledge of diverse ways of understanding teaching and learning that supports ongoing professional development.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Demonstrate advanced teamwork skills by interpreting and transmitting knowledge in professional educational contexts.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Apply an advanced understanding of social, Indigenous and cultural diversity and respect for the identity of all persons in local and international educational contexts.

Get an early start on your teaching career with the Graduate Diploma of Teaching. This course provides a flexible pathway for graduates of other disciplines who wish to become a teacher in either a primary or secondary school setting. The course develops evidence-based practice for a career where you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people.

You can choose a specialisation in either Primary Education or Secondary Education. The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is self-paced, with access to all content and resources online and includes 45 days of supervised teaching practice undertaken in schools.

Students of this course can apply for provisional registration (Graduate Teacher) with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA), while enrolled in their last term of study. Applicants to the TRBWA are encouraged to review the requirements for Provisional Registration.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching is not accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) but offers articulation into a NESA-approved Master of Teaching to enable full eligibility for registration as a teacher, once complete. 

Graduates of this course receive eight units of credit towards the Southern Cross University Master of Teaching.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma Teaching, students must complete 10 units (the equivalent of 96 credit points) comprising:

• 1 Specialisation (96 credit points) in Primary or Secondary; and
• 2 professional Experience units (0 credit points); and
• Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.

Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies.

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

Indicative total fee $4,627

The amounts shown here are 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.

Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.

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Applicants’ qualifications must meet the requirements for admission for:

Secondary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge); or

Primary specialisation: Graduate study (Bachelor, or equivalent) as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Program Standard 3.7 (Subject Content Knowledge), AND NSW Band 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.

Must undertake the UAC or QTAC non-academic entry requirement test.

To meet the minimum English Language requirement for admission to this course, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:

• Have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2; or
• Have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification (AQF7 or higher) of at least 3 years of full-time study in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland; or
• Have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, International Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test score minimum of 7.0 across all bands or approved equivalent as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2.

Language 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 course are as follows

Category Score

• Overall Score 7.0
• Reading 7.0
• Writing 7.0
• Listening 7.0
• Speaking 7.0.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching consists of 45 days of professional placement within an Australian primary or secondary school.

Professional experience provides opportunities for you to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools or early childhood settings and to demonstrate your independent and professional capabilities as teachers.

Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.