GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (SECONDARY)
- SHEPPARTON APPLICANTS †
INTRODUCTION
ACU National is a public university and a member of the Unified National System of Higher Education, with campuses in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
As a Catholic university ACU National fosters and promotes learning and teaching within Christian principles and traditions.
As part of its mission, the University
- values the human person as an individual of inestimable worth
- gives emphasis to the pursuit of excellence
- seeks to be a community marked by a spirit of freedom, charity and ecumenism.
ACU National welcomes students and staff of all backgrounds and beliefs.
In Victoria ACU National has two campuses - Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's) in Fitzroy and Ballarat Campus (Aquinas) in Ballarat.
In 2005 ACU National through the Trescowthick School of Education and in conjunction with Notre Dame College, Shepparton and the Catholic Education Office (Sandhurst) proposes to offer the 1 year Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) off-campus at Notre Dame College, Shepparton.
The other secondary schools of the Diocese (FCJ College Benalla, Catholic College Bendigo, St Joseph's College Echuca, Marian College Myrtleford, St Mary's of the Angels College Nathalia, Galen Catholic College Wangaratta, St Augustine's College Kyabram and Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga) are fully supportive of this initiative and offer their assistance, including the provision of placement opportunities for teams of students involved in delivering programs. The Catholic Education Office (Sandhurst) is also greatly committed to, and supportive of, this initiative.
Notre Dame College has a close working relationship with local Catholic schools. This relationship could provide trainee teachers with the opportunity to undertake research projects and practical experience. Notre Dame also has a very good working relationship with government primary and secondary schools in the district with in excess of 40 schools acting as feeder schools to Notre Dame College.
Shepparton itself is a thriving rural community, which offers opportunities for involvment in most types of social and cultural and sporting activities, including easy access to the snowfields of North Eastern Victoria. There are a number of active cultural groups, including amateur theatre groups, choirs and artists' co-operatives, and opportunities for political involvement within the community.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What background do I need to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary)?
ACU National offers the Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) to graduates who have completed appropriate undergraduate studies in three-year post-secondary degrees, diploma courses or equivalent as recognised by the Victorian Tertiary Adminssions Center (VTAC).
Students without formal pre-requisites in undergraduate theological studies may be admitted to Religious Education as a teaching method provided they can demonstrate a Catholic or Christian tradition in their background and undertake the units Foundations of Christian Faith and Biblical Studies as co-requisite studies.
What credit can I get for previous studies?
No credit wil be granted for undergraduate units. Credit (up uo 50% to the course) may be granted for relevant Education and/or Theology studies from another Graduate Diploma or Master's studies. Credit is not granted for previous teaching experience unless it was undertaken as supervised teaching practice in an approved postgraduate secondary teacher education course or the applicant was registered as a single subject teacher with the appropriate teacher registration body. Credit applications are to be submitted on enrolment day.
Is there an English requirement for entry to the course?
Yes. See the VTAC Guide 2005 for details.
When does the course start and are Commonwealth supported places available?
The course begins in the week commencing February 14th 2005 and Commonwealth supported places are available with HECS - HELP.
What is the course structure?
This is a one-year course of ten units. To undertake the course on a full-time basis requires a time commitment of at least 40 hours a week. This commitment includes scheduled classes, course meetings, study group/team meetings and self-directed study.
Can the course be done by part-time study?
No.
How is the course timetabled?
Classes will be held using a variety of modes - a combination of daytime, late afternoon and weekend classes and distance learning. The timetable will be available on enrolment day.
Professional practice teaching is done on site at Notre Dame College in semester 1 with a block round at another school in second semester.
How many teaching methods can I do?
To complete the course students require two single method studies or one double method study (Music only), and if eligible, students may undertake a third method.
What units are needed for accreditation to teach in Catholic secondary schools?
By completing Foundations of Christian Faith and Catholic Education and Schooling you will qualify for accreditation to teach in Catholic Secondary Schools.
What are the units in the course?
To qualify for the award students must successfully complete 10 units.
Education Foundation Studies (3 units)
- Catholic Education and Schooling*
- Human Development and Special Needs in Education
- Learning and Learning Technologies
Professional Studies (5 units)
- Teaching, Classroom Management and Curriculum
- Foundations of Christian Faith*#
- Teaching Method 1
- Teaching Method 2
- Field Experience
Elective Studies (select 2 units)
- Teaching Method 3
- Biblical Studies#
- Adolescent Mental Health and the Community
- Approved cross-institution distance untis from pre-service secondary courses
What teaching methods are offered at Shepparton? (All teaching methods are single methods unless otherwise stated.)
- English#
- Religious Education
- Science*
- Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)#
- Mathematics*
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE)**#
- Information Technology*
What teaching methods are offered at Melbourne?
The following methods are available to applicants prepared to travel to the Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's). Please note that this would require attendance for 24 weeks of the year.
- Commerce and Business Studies
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Music (double method)
How can I get more information?
Contact Glenis Davey on (03) 9953 3274 at the Melbourne Campus or the Melbourne Student Centre on (03) 9953 3062 or email studentcentre@patrick.acu.edu.au
How can I apply for the course?
You must apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), www.vtac.edu.au. You can purchase the VTAC Guide 2005 from newsagents. Following the directions in the Postgratuate section. VTAC applications (timely) close on Thursday 30th September.
You also need to complete and submit the ACU National 'Postgraduate Education Supplementary Information Form' by 29th Obtober for VTAC (timely) applications. VTAC late applications will be accepted provided the ACU National 'Postgraduate Education Supplementary Information Form' is received by Friday 12th November. Applicants who fail to complete this requirement will not be considered for selection. This form is available from the web: http://inet.acu.edu.au/studentadmin/forms or from an ACU National Student Centre.
† The Gaduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) course is also offered at:
Ballarat Campus (Aquinas)
Postal Address
PO Box 650
Ballarat VIC 3353
Street Address
1200 Mair Street
Telephone: (03) 5336 5361
studentcente@aquinas.acu.edu.au
Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's)
Postal Address
Locked Bag 4115 MDC
Fitzroy VIC 3065
Street Address
115 Victoria Parade
Telephone: (03) 9953 3062
studentcentre@patrick.acu.edu.au
Strathfield Campus (Mount Saint Mary)
Contact the Student Centre for details of content and requirements for the NSW course.
Telephone: (02) 9701 4012
studentcentre@mary.acu.edu.au
Canberra Campus (Signadou)
Postal Address
PO Box 256
Dickson ACT 2602
Street Address
223 Antill Street
Telephone: (02) 6209 1121
studentcentre@signadou.acu.edu.au
