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Leap@ECU

What is Leap@ECU?

The Leap@ECU program offers new and existing teachers the opportunity to gain further qualifications to teach in specialist areas or even to move into a new teaching area. Through sponsorship and funding from the Department of Education (DoE), participants can enrol into a Graduate Certificate in Education (Industry) offered by ECU's School of Education.

There will be a postgraduate qualification for Lower Secondary Teaching in the Design and Technology specialisation.

2024 delivery schedule

All new intakes in 2024 for Leap@ECU courses will commence in semester one. Units in the Leap programs are either delivered online or face-to-face intensive mode. Some units are delivered during the school holiday periods. Download the 2024 delivery schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF)?

Whilst DoE cover most costs relating to the Leap program you are personally liable for the ‘SSAF’ fee. This fee is payable each semester.

Census & Academic Penalty Dates

Please take careful note of the Census and Academic penalty dates for each teaching period. If withdrawal occurs after these dates, you may be personally liable for payment of the unit and an academic penalty may be applied to your student record.

How do I use my relief days?

Relief days are sent to your school for the time you need to be out of the classroom for study, course work, revision sessions and exams for your Leap course. Each DoE teacher may have a different amount of relief based on the course and your work fraction, so please check this with DoE when you first commence the Leap@ECU sponsored program.

When using relief days, line manager approval is always required. Whilst some relief days are fixed for exams and revision sessions, study days are flexible. Please negotiate with your school to minimise disruption wherever possible. Please also discuss with your line manager that you are completing your study at ECU. You do not need to submit leave on HRMIS as you do not use any of your leave credits.

Am I paid to complete a Leap course?

DoE teachers are not paid to undertake sponsored Leap postgraduate courses. Fixed term and permanent DoE teachers continue to be paid by their school as per their normal contract conditions.

What costs are covered by the Leap program?

DoE supports teachers to participate in the Leap program by paying for course fees and essential course materials. DoE determines who is Leap sponsored, typically DoE sponsors teachers for one attempt at each unit within the nominated Leap course at ECU.

What is the Leap program?

The Leap program refers to a post-graduate qualification for DoE sponsored teachers typically consisting of a Graduate Certificate. A graduate certificate is made up of four tertiary academic units (AQF level 8).

Can I complete this course online?

The Design & Technology curriculum unit TEF6600 is delivered online during Semester 1. The remaining three content units have mandatory on campus units using ECU’s workshops. The teaching of these units follows a non-standard delivery schedule to accommodate DoE sponsored participants. These on campus units will be delivered in 2-week intensive blocks during the school holiday periods. See
delivery schedule.

How do I arrange travel and accommodation for my course?

If you are a fixed term or permanent DoE teacher whose work location is 50 kilometres or more from the place of study, you may be eligible for assistance. Please contact DoE team by emailing leap@education.wa.edu.au to discuss travel and accommodation arrangements. It is your responsibility to contact DoE well in advance of your travel dates to ensure there is enough time to make arrangements.

What happens if I fail one or more units in my Graduate Certificate course?

There is no guarantee that DoE can support you to re-attempt a unit if you fail. This will require a discussion with DoE Leap Coordinator about what occurred and what sort of plan can be put in place to support successful completion of the course at ECU. There may also be other factors that need to be considered.

Please also refer to the Academic Progression webpage

How do I apply for an assignment extension?

There may be instances that are unexpected and out of your control that may adversely impact on your ability to submit an assessment item by the due date. For details on how to apply for an extension please visit: https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386

Where do I get an ECU student ID card?

You can get your student ID card from any of our eLab counters on campus, where your photo will be taken, and your card will be produced while you wait. If you are off campus you need to complete the application for a student ID card and submit it with a passport size photo of yourself as directed on the form.

Contact us

For more information about Leap@ECU.

Dr Julie Boston
Email: leap@ecu.edu.au

Department of Education website: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/leap-program

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