The Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) prepares students to work in primary schools from years one to seven.  The course prepares students to work in Independent or State School systems. The course is designed to build on an existing degree/s and develops a strong philosophical and practical pedagogy related to primary teaching.  Central to the course is the teaching practicum that is linked to eight curriculum units.   Students will be given opportunities to engage in planning educational experiences, critical reflection, current research, as well as evaluation and assessing strategies.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) course requires students to spend a substantial period of time teaching in schools as part of a coordinated program of practice teaching.  During these periods students are required to provide a full-time committment.

This course offers a qualification to be eligible to teach. In order to teach in Western Australia applicants need to register with the Western Australia College of Teaching.  Intending applicants should visit the WACOT website to ensure they will be eligible for registration upon completion of the course. http://www.collegeofteaching.wa.edu.au/member_policy.html

Please note that registration requirements across all States of Australia vary and therefore applicants should refer to the relevant State Registration body for registration guidelines.

Central to this course is  an extensive program of Professional Practice in kindergarten/pre-primary centres/primary schools/secondary schools ( depending on the course) which culminates in the Final Teaching Practice in the second semester of the course. All students are required to adhere to the School of Education's Professional Practice Rules and Procedures and Code of Professional Conduct for ECU Pre-service Teachers which can be accessed at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac/ . All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is also available on the website.

Standard admission requirements apply including a requirement for an existing undergraduate degree.  Interested students are also required to submit a brief curriculum vitae and a personal statement indicating why they wish to become a teacher.

Special English Entry Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of successful study in an English language environment in Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada for at least two years full time in the last five years prior to lodging an application.

or

Applicants must provide evidence of being a native English speaker. Suitable evidence of this is that the applicant was born in Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada and that secondary education was undertaken in English.

or

Applicants must provide a satisfactory English language result such as an IELTS at an overall band score of 7.5 (no individual band less than 7) or a TOEFL minimum score of 650 including TWE of 5 (or a Computer based TOEFL score of 280 with an essay rating of 5 or better).

Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Students considering possible employment in Western Australia after graduation from this award should refer to the following website for information regarding teacher registration requirements: http://www.wacot.wa.edu.au/files/word/2006/COLLEGE%20MEMBERSHIP%20POLICY.doc

All students enrolling in this course will be required to submit a National Criminal History Check Information Clearance (Crimtrac) before commencing their first period of Professional Practice. These clearances are valid for three years while enrolled in the course. Application forms and further information can be found
 at: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/screening/newapplicant.htm
 
All students 18 years of age and over will also be required to apply for a Working with Children Check in order to comply with section 6 of the Working with Children Act 2004, in order to complete their Professional Practice. Further information can be found at: http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au

A total of 120 credit points is required to complete this course.