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Course code C91

Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)

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About this Course

Are you an aspiring primary school teacher with an existing degree in another field?

This course will equip you to teach with provisional registration in WA primary schools after one year of full-time study. You will complete curriculum units in Literacy, Mathematics, Science, the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as units in classroom management.

A key feature of this course is 55 days of professional experience, which will allow you to make the essential connection between theory and practice whilst building both professional and generic skills in real teaching environments.

Partnerships between the University and over 1,500 schools and early childhood settings allow you to gain experience in diverse settings including public, metropolitan, rural, regional and remote schools, allowing you to work with children from differing economic, social, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma Award.

Course code C91

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $4,450

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT PT FT PT
Mount Lawley FT PT FT PT
South West
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

About this Course

Are you an aspiring primary school teacher with an existing degree in another field?

This course will equip you to teach with provisional registration in WA primary schools after one year of full-time study. You will complete curriculum units in Literacy, Mathematics, Science, the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as units in classroom management.

A key feature of this course is 55 days of professional experience, which will allow you to make the essential connection between theory and practice whilst building both professional and generic skills in real teaching environments.

Partnerships between the University and over 1,500 schools and early childhood settings allow you to gain experience in diverse settings including public, metropolitan, rural, regional and remote schools, allowing you to work with children from differing economic, social, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma Award.

Course code C91

CRICOS code 114762K

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $36,150

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

1 year full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT FT
Mount Lawley FT FT
South West
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have completed at least one year of full-time equivalent study relevant to one or more learning areas of the primary school curriculum. Entrants to graduate entry programs must have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognised areas of schooling provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree. Applicants must satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
    • Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have completed at least one year of full-time equivalent study relevant to one or more learning areas of the primary school curriculum. Entrants to graduate entry programs must have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognised areas of schooling provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree. Applicants must satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
    • Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley or Online

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU6015Learners and Learning10
LAN6260Foundations of Literacy Learning 10
AED6205Teaching the Arts10
MPE6115Primary Mathematics Education15
WPL6115First Professional Practice15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU6205Positive Learning Environments10
HSS6215Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences (Primary)10
LAN6240Literacy in the Early Years of School10
SCE6103Primary Science Education15
WPL6215Second Professional Practice15

C91|1

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students must complete 2 unit as follows:

    Professional Experience Unit Number of Days
    WPL6115: First Professional Practice 25
    WPL6215: Second Professional Practice 30
    Total Professional Experience Days 55

    Attendance requirements

    Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine 'fit and proper persons' to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all PreService Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Experience.
    Further information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-experience/before-professional-experience

    Professional practice rules

    During the placement, it is imperative that Pre-Service Teachers always demonstrate
    professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-Service Teachers must abide by the
    professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the
    applicable University policies and rules.
    The Student Code of Conduct can be found at: http://policysearch.ecu.edu.au/PolicySearch/Record/767/file/document
    The host School/Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the Pre-Service Teachers
    placement prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the School/Centre has had concerns about Pre-Service Teacher's conduct or performance. ECU may also withdraw a Pre-Service Teacher from placement in certain circumstances.
    Early termination or withdrawal from the professional practice placement may result in a Failgrade for this unit.

  • Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession.

    Provisional registration only for this course.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on an advanced body of education knowledge, research principles and methods in primary teaching.
  2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise teaching theory and practice in authentic situations.
  3. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design curriculum, learning and assessment activities in primary education.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup, Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU6015Learners and Learning10
LAN6260Foundations of Literacy Learning 10
AED6205Teaching the Arts10
MPE6115Primary Mathematics Education15
WPL6115First Professional Practice15
Year 1 - Semester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
EDU6205Positive Learning Environments10
HSS6215Teaching Humanities and Social Sciences (Primary)10
LAN6240Literacy in the Early Years of School10
SCE6103Primary Science Education15
WPL6215Second Professional Practice15

C91|1

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Students must complete 2 unit as follows:

    Professional Experience Unit Number of Days
    WPL6115: First Professional Practice 25
    WPL6215: Second Professional Practice 30
    Total Professional Experience Days 55

    Attendance requirements

    Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine 'fit and proper persons' to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all PreService Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check, or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Experience.
    Further information can be found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-experience/before-professional-experience

    Professional practice rules

    During the placement, it is imperative that Pre-Service Teachers always demonstrate
    professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-Service Teachers must abide by the
    professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the
    applicable University policies and rules.
    The Student Code of Conduct can be found at: http://policysearch.ecu.edu.au/PolicySearch/Record/767/file/document
    The host School/Centre has absolute discretion to terminate the Pre-Service Teachers
    placement prior to completion of the placement. Situations where this discretion has been exercised are typically where the School/Centre has had concerns about Pre-Service Teacher's conduct or performance. ECU may also withdraw a Pre-Service Teacher from placement in certain circumstances.
    Early termination or withdrawal from the professional practice placement may result in a Failgrade for this unit.

  • Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession.

    Provisional registration only for this course.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on an advanced body of education knowledge, research principles and methods in primary teaching.
  2. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, evaluate and synthesise teaching theory and practice in authentic situations.
  3. Apply communication and collaboration skills to design curriculum, learning and assessment activities in primary education.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $4,450 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course provides an employment pathway nested within ECU’s nationally accredited Master of Teaching (Primary) course. You are encouraged to continue studying and complete the master’s course which meets state and national requirements for full registration to teach in Primary schools.

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $36,150 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

This course provides an employment pathway nested within ECU’s nationally accredited Master of Teaching (Primary) course. You are encouraged to continue studying and complete the master’s course which meets state and national requirements for full registration to teach in Primary schools.

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

South West Information Evening and Pizza Night

6:00pm South West (Bunbury) Campus

Creative thinkers start here

Creative thinkers start here

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.