The Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) course provides appropriate teacher preparation for persons to teach years 8-12 in a major learning area and years 8-10 in a minor learning area.  The course aims to develop effective educators, able to make a positive social and educational impact on the lives of the young people they teach.   The course offers a range of specialisations for students to chose their preferred area of teaching.  Students who wish to select the Catholic Education Years 8 - 10 area of specialisation as an option will need to complete 2 x 15 credit point units to achieve Accreditation to teach in a Catholic School. In this case, the completed degree will comprise 128 credit points.

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.

A recognised degree from a University or College of Advanced Education.  The degree should provide a suitable background for at least one area of specialisation reflecting secondary school curriculum areas.  Specialisations must be negotiated and agreed with the Course Coordinator. Applicants need to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge to enrol in a Years 8 - 12 area of specialisation (e.g. a major in their undergraduate degree) and intermediate skills to enrol in a Years 8 - 10 area of specialisation (e.g. a minor in their undergraduate degree).

All students must undertake and clear a CrimTrac prior to entering schools and adhere to the School's Rules and Regulations in relation to professional practice.  http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac/.

In addition students will be required to meet requirements of the 'Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004'.  http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/Employees/default.htm.

Five main areas are studied.

1.  Foundations of Education 
These units are designed to develop skills for the prospective teacher as a decision-maker in the teaching-learning process.  They focus on lesson planning, teaching skills and strategies, classroom management, the adolescent learner, and the structure, organisation and important concerns of schooling in our society.

2.  Specialisation in a teaching and learning area 
School curricula and teaching strategies are studied to be able to teach primarily in Years 8-12 in one of the following areas:

Art Education, Business Education, Computing Education, Dance Education, Design and Technology Education, Drama Education, English Education, Home Economics Education, Languages other than English (LOTE), Mathematics Education, Media Education, Music Education, Physical Education, Science Education and Social Science Education.

3.  Specialisation in a second teaching and learning area
School curricula and teaching strategies are studied to be able to teach primarily in Years 8-10 in one of the following areas:

Art Education, Business Education, Catholic Education, Computing Education, Drama Education, Design and Technology Education, English Education, Health Education, Home Economics Education, Mathematics Education, Media Education, Physical Education, Science Education, Social Science Education and Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL).

4.  Elective Units in Education
Students choose a unit in second semester from elective streams in education.  These are designed for indepth study in areas of significance in secondary education.  An approved list of electives is made available by the course coordinator.

5.  Teaching Practice
A minimum of ten weeks of practice is prescribed in three blocks during the year.  In addition, other school-based activities are prescribed as part of the process of integrating foundation studies in education with curriculum studies areas.