Graduate Teacher Education Programs
Graduate Diploma in Education (Middle Years) – Shepparton (EGEMYP)
- The course provides a qualification to teach in both primary and secondary schools with a special focus on the middle years of schooling (Grade 5 to Year 10). Students with appropriate undergraduate sub-majors/majors also will be eligible to teach Years 11 and 12. Students interested in working with young adolescents (age 11 – 16 years) will be well suited to this course. The course is accredited with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT). Therefore, graduates will be eligible for employment in government and private schools in Victoria, as well as educational institutions interstate and overseas.
Duration
The course commences in February and normally will be undertaken by full-time study for one academic year.
Admission requirements
Applicants should have a Bachelor degree or approved equivalent with sequences of studies in relevant units that satisfy the prerequisites specified for the particular teaching method. This is normally at least a sub-major in each of two recognised subject areas taught in secondary schools.
However, applicants with discipline studies in only one secondary school curriculum area are also eligible to apply. Further information on eligibility can be found at www.vit.vic.edu.au/ (follow the links to Teacher Education and Specialist Area Guidelines). In addition, competence in English is required. Please refer to the English requirement below. Mathematics is recommended to at least Year 11 of secondary schooling.
English requirement
Applicants who do not have a satisfactory result in any standard Year 12 English subject in Australia (including applicants with overseas qualifications) are required to have a score in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of at least 7.0 overall, with no individual band (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) of less than 6.5. Failure to obtain either a suitable IELTS result, or an exemption from the IELTS test, will mean that an application will not be considered. Mathematics to at least Year 11 of secondary schooling is recommended.
IELTS test information and application processes
Details about the IELTS test and IELTS testing centres can be obtained from www.ielts.org/, including the contact details for testing centres in Melbourne and in other places in Australia and overseas. These centres are independent of La Trobe University.
Students with a satisfactory IELTS result must provide the course selection officer with their VTAC ID number and contact details when they supply evidence of their IELTS score. These applicants will be required to complete an interview to assess their capacity to use spoken English in the Graduate Diploma in Education course, including teaching practice placements.
Special requirements
The Victorian Department of Education and Training requires a satisfactory criminal record check for all teacher education students undertaking practicum requirements in Victorian Department of Education and Training schools. It is expected that equivalent requirements will exist for all other Victorian schools. Students upon first enrolling in teacher education courses will be required to complete a ‘Working with Children Check’ form available at Australia Post offices. Students must provide a certified copy of their valid Working with Children card prior to undertaking teaching placements. Confirmation of a criminal record may jeopardise a student’s ability to gain access to a suitable, or any, practicum placement(s) and may therefore delay or prevent completion of the course.
Application procedures
Local candidates must apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) by 30 September. Late applications (at an additional cost) close mid-November. Application forms are provided in the VTAC Guide (available from newsagents) or via the VTAC Infonet: www.vtac.edu.au
Selection Criteria: Priority for selection to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) will be given to those with higher Grade Point Averages (GPAs). Students wishing to maximise their options for selection to programs through VTAC are encouraged to indicate preferences for both Commonwealth Supported and Fee-paying places. Mathematics to at least Year 11 of secondary schooling is recommended. Priority for selection may be given to those who have completed Mathematics at senior secondary school level or equivalent.
Late direct applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
An information meeting for prospective candidates is held at the La Trobe University Open Day on the 2nd Sunday in August at the Shepparton Campus. Further details about the course are available on the Faculty of Education website: www.latrobe.edu.au/education
Course structure
The course will be delivered by a combination of intensive block mode classes and on-line learning. The course consists of 120 credit points and is planned around three major areas of study:
- approaches to teaching and learning
- methodology and curriculum
- practical teaching.
A pass in all components of units of enrolment and 80% attendance is required for successful completion of the award.
Core units
| Teaching period | Unit title | Unit code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Issues in Education A – Teaching and Learning | EDU4IMA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Methods A – Curriculum in Focus | EDU4MLA |
| TE-SEM-1 TE-SEM-1 |
Teaching Practicum A School-based Middle Years Project |
EDU4TPA EDU4SMP |
| TE-SEM-2 | Issues in Education B – Teaching Middle Years | EDU4IMB |
| TE-SEM-2 TE-SEM-2 |
Context of Education Methods B – Integrating Curriculum |
EDU4COE EDU4MLB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Teaching Practicum B | EDU4TPB |
Elective units
| TE-SEM-1 TE-SEM-2 |
LOTE in Middle Years A LOTE in Middle Years B |
EDU4LMA EDU4LMB |
Note: LOTE is an optional additional method and can be taken by those with the appropriate undergraduate qualifications in the Language Other than English at an additional cost.
The following secondary teaching methods are available in the Middle Years program:
Single Methods
Accounting, Art and Craft, Biology, Business Management, Business Studies, Chemistry, Commerce & Business Studies, Dance, Drama, Economics, English, Environmental Science, Geography, Health, History, Home Economics, Humanities (previously Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE), Humanities Additional, Information Technology/Computing, Legal Studies, LOTE, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Outdoor Education, Physical Education. Physics, Psychology, Science, Science Additional, Technology, Visual Arts
Double Methods
LOTE
Mathematics