University of Newcastle introduces Graduate Diploma to fast track path to high school teaching

Thursday, 10 August 2023

The University of Newcastle has launched a new Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) to help provide a much-needed solution to the state’s teacher shortage. The graduate diploma provides a 12-month program for people who are looking to transition their careers and fast track their studies to become a high school teacher.

A group of people look on as Associate Professor Robert Parkes - School of Education and Associate Professor Elena Prieto-Rodriguez - School of Education present
Assoc Prof Robert Parkes and Assoc Prof Elena Prieto-Rodriguez from the School of Education

The diploma program is delivered online with focussed on-campus sessions and features two practical experiences in high school classrooms. The University is the first in the country to realign the Masters of Teaching to provide a ‘front-loaded’  opportunity that condenses two practical experiences into the 12-month study period, so that students are prepared to be conditionally accredited in New South Wales schools.

NSW Government modelling in 2022 revealed that demand for secondary teachers was set to outstrip graduates by about 4,100 students over the next three years, while it’s estimated that there is currently a shortage of more than 2100 high school teachers across the state.

Pro Vice-Chancellor College of Human and Social Futures, Professor John Fischetti was excited to launch the program that is the quickest qualification into becoming a qualified, classroom-ready teacher.

“We know that high schools are experiencing an acute teacher shortage in New South Wales and undergraduate enrolments in education are down right across the country, that’s why we’re excited to introduce the graduate diploma. It’s designed to maintain high-quality with the flexibility people need to be able to work and study.

“Our educators are invaluable to our community and last year our University saw more than 250 students graduate as high school teachers with either a Bachelor in Education or Master of Teaching degree.

“We know there are many more people with degrees in hand across New South Wales and Australia who are considering teaching but haven’t made that next step. We have changed that today and we’re incredibly proud to launch a sector leading solution that we think can make a real difference for people who want to become high school teachers.”

“We want anyone who has an existing degree and is considering moving into secondary teaching to know there’s a place for them at our University and they can achieve that dream in just 12 months,” said Professor Fischetti.

Delivered online with intensive face-to-face on campus experiences, the new Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) will be open to anyone who has a bachelor degree aligned to an area of secondary teaching and is thinking of starting their High School teaching journey.

Following the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary), students would go on to complete a Master of Teaching to become fully accredited. The additional three courses could be achieved within as little as six-months but also spread over three years.

Kotara High School Principal, Mr Mark Snedden, President of the Hunter Secondary Principals' Council (SPC) said that the SPC fully supported the innovative ways of addressing the current teacher shortage.

“This program has the potential to remove a significant barrier for potential teachers by reducing the amount of time that they will be engaged in full time study before they can start working and earning a wage as a teacher.

“The benefit of this program is that upon completion students will achieve their Masters of Teaching – thereby maintaining the academic rigour that we expect of teachers in NSW public schools.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said he was thrilled with the support from the sector for the innovative program developed by the University’s School of Education.

“Our University is committed to making a meaningful impact across our regions. I’m very proud that we have developed an innovative solution to help ease the current teacher shortage. The inclusion of two embedded face-to-face placements will ensure that our graduates are work-ready and prepared to thrive in a high school classroom.

“My thanks to Professor John Fischetti and the team on this innovative new program.”

Students can apply for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) starting Trimester 1, 2024 at the University of Newcastle by visiting our degree page.

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