Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies degree is intended for practising teachers and other educators who wish to gain postgraduate professional qualifications in a wide variety of educational contexts and to acquire or update their expertise. The approach used in the program blends theory and practice, with an emphasis on applying research findings to best educational practices. The program is undertaken by coursework.

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies is available in the following areas of interest:

• Aboriginal Education
• Comparative and International
• Creative and Performing Arts, Media and Learning
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Early Intervention (delivered by Renwick Centre)
• Disability Studies (available every second year)
• Early Childhood Education
• Educating Boys
• Emotional Disturbance/Behaviour Disorders
• Engaging Families and Communities
• Engineering
• Equity in Education
• History
• ICT and Digital Learning
• International Curriculum Studies
• Listening and Spoken Language (delivered by Renwick Centre)
• Literacy
• Educational Leadership
• Mathematics
• Pedagogy
• Personalised Learning
• Philosophy
• Sensory Disabilities (delivered by Renwick Centre)
• Sign Bilingual (delivered by Renwick Centre)
• Special Education
• Special Education - Early Childhood
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

Students undertaking specialisations offered by the RIDBC Renwick Centre should also refer to the RIDBC Renwick Centre Student Handbook above in the 'Further Information' section.

Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies incorporate key issues and concepts required by professional educators. The program offers high quality professional development opportunities for teachers, corporate and community educators from a range of backgrounds and provides students with the flexibility to tailor their course choices to fit with their individual commitments.

Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies are relevant to educators working in school, rural, distance and higher education, health services, business and consultancy/advisory services. The program is designed to enable educators to select courses to suit their professional needs and enhance their career opportunities.

For entry into the Graduate Certificate, applicants need to have completed a three year degree from a recognised tertiary institution or possess equivalent qualifications. However, applicants who hold other relevant qualifications together with appropriate high level work experience are encouraged to apply for entry via recognition of prior learning (RPL).

RPL is calculated by the University using a sliding scale relative to the applicants experience and qualifications in industry. Documentation will need to be provided in a professional portfolio. For more information on RPL please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000282.html or contact the Hub.

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate candidates will be eligible to apply for entry into the Master of Educational Studies program, and seek up to 40 units credit in this award.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/how-to-apply.html for information on how to gain entry.

For those interested in undertaking the Mathematics Specialisation, who are not current teachers in NSW, please consult with the Program Officer/Convenor prior to enrolling.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/credit-transfer/ and click on ‘How to Apply for Credit’.

Students who have completed relevant studies may apply for up to 20 units of credit.

Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies and wish to proceed to the Masters can apply for credit for courses completed and undertake a second specialisation in the Master of Educational Studies. Please see attached Credit Articulation Pathways document (see Further Information section) to determine which program to articulate into.

Some accreditation is possible within specialisation areas. The degree, however, is not an initial teaching qualification. Please contact Specialisation Convenor.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

The program may be undertaken on-campus or through WebLearn. Please refer to the timetable information for individual course availability and location of offer as not all courses are offered in both modes.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

Students undertaking specialisations offered by the RIDBC Renwick Centre should also refer to the RIDBC Renwick Centre Student Handbook above in the 'Further Information' section.