Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education)

If you already hold a degree, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education and the University, and want a career in early childhood, then this qualification is for you. Because this programme acknowledges your previous qualification, this Graduate Diploma can be completed full-time within one year.

Programme Highlights

• May qualify you for a higher pay scale as it recognises your previous years of study
• TeachNZ scholarships available
• Flexible study options through online delivery

2008 Early Childhood Education Programmes (3MB)

What you'll learn

You will learn about social and learning contexts specific to early childhood education, giving you a sound balance of theory and practical application crucial to early childhood education. You will also learn about the learning aspirations for babies, infants and toddlers and young children, including dynamic ways to enhance their learning in the arts, science, technology, mathematics and language.

You will undertake blocks of practical work experience in kindergartens and early childhood centres to experience first-hand what it is like to work in an early childhood environment.
(Note: these centres will be different to your own workplace if you are already working in an early childhood setting).

How you'll learn

By attending Epsom Campus:

You’ll learn through workshops, small group tutorials, lectures and field experience.

By flexible mode:

You’ll learn through Internet interactions with students and lecturers, study guide material and up to seven on-campus days per semester in workshops or lectures (for some courses). Epsom and flexible mode students will be mostly assessed through assignments and practical work experience in early childhood centres.

Career opportunities

This qualification prepares you to teach in all early childhood services in New Zealand, including early childhood care and education centres and kindergartens.
You will be eligible to apply for registration as a practising professional early childhood teacher, possibly leading to leadership or management positions in an early childhood centre in the future.

With a three-year degree and a graduate diploma you’ll be eligible to start on a higher step of the salary scale in services covered by the NZEI teaching collective agreement for early childhood teachers.

Further study

If you want to take your studies further, our programmes can lead you all the way to masters and doctoral level, to maximise your career and salary prospects.

Study location

Epsom Campus or via flexible mode from anywhere in the country (with block courses taught on campus).
This programme is taught at Epsom Campus. The programme may be delivered flexibly and at a distance, allowing you to interact with lecturers and other students without the need to travel to weekly classes. Flexible delivery involves study guide material, regular Internet contact with students and lecturers, and on-campus workshops at Epsom.

Study dates

January to December
Mid-year intake in July, dependent on student numbers

Years to complete

One year full-time study (this programme is equivalent to 1.25 years of full-time study completed within a 12 month period).
Students can be enrolled part-time, where the same study is completed over a two year period.

Fees

Updated tuition fee information will be available at www.auckland.ac.nz/fees.

You may be eligible to apply for Faculty of Education fees bursaries. Call The University of Auckland on 0800 61 62 63 for more information.

Gaining Entry

The basic academic prerequisite for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) is an undergraduate degree or equivalent.

Most overseas qualifications need to be assessed for equivalence with New Zealand degree qualifications. You will therefore need to hold a New Zealand degree or equivalent, or an overseas degree recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority by February 1 of the year of entry to the programme.

It is your responsibility to contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to ensure such recognition. A fee will be charged for this service. For more information. go to www.nzqa.govt.nz.
Personal references and an interview are normally required of all applicants.

Supplementary Information

To gain entry into this programme, you need to supply us with Supplementary Information. Click on the link below to download a Supplementary Information Form, complete it, and return it to the Faculty of Education as soon as possible.

Supplementary Information Form (Undergraduate awards and Graduate Diplomas in Teaching) (338kB)

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