Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)

Primary teaching is a rewarding and enriching career where every day is different. Play a part in the education and development of our children and help inspire their desire to learn. Learn the latest teaching techniques and theories, and how to apply them in a classroom setting.

Programme Highlights

• Qualifies you for Q3+ (higher salary level than undergraduate degree qualification level)
• Strong emphasis placed on practical experience in real classrooms
• You may be eligible for TeachNZ scholarships and faculty fees bursaries
  

2008 Primary Teaching Programmes (3MB)

What you'll learn

You will learn how to teach students from new entrants to intermediate school and gain knowledge on how to teach the New Zealand primary curriculum. You will explore how children learn, grow and develop, and cover a variety of curriculum subjects such as technology, language and the arts.

To experience life in a primary classroom first-hand you will spend time in three different schools. Well-established relationships with schools mean you benefit from a range of valuable practical experiences during the programme.

Two pathways are offered in the 2007 programme and students are asked to indicate their preference for one of the following:

1. Partnership Schools Pathway (Tuesdays in Schools)
The focus is on curriculum courses, three block practicum and professional experience in a designated school one day per week on a Tuesday.

2. Campus Pathway
The focus is on curriculum courses and three block practicum. Block practicum has a longer time frame than the Partnership pathway.
International students are offered the Campus pathway only.

How you'll learn

By attending Epsom Campus:

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

Programme structure

This programme consists of 160 points made up of:

• 55 points from the core courses EDPRAC 601, 602, EDPROFST601, 602
  and
• 90 points from the curriculum courses EDCURRIC 603-612 (for Campus and Partnership Schools Pathway) or EDCURRIC 614-619 (for Integrated Pathway)
  and
• 15 points from either EDPROFST 603 (Partnership Schools Pathway), EDPROFST 604 (Campus Pathway) or EDCURRIC 602 (Integrated Pathway)

View Summary of courses offered in 2008

Assessment

You’ll be assessed internally through assignments and practical work experience in schools. Grades are awarded for all courses, except practicum, on an A+ to D- scale. A variety of assessment tools are used including group work, tests, seminars, essays, units of work including teaching resources and assessment tasks. The use of ICT is incorporated into some of the assessment tasks.

Practicum

You spend about 14 weeks on practical teaching experience called practicum, observing and teaching classes in a range of schools. Practicum is critical for students to get a feel for what it’s really like to be in a school and to teach.

The idea of practicum is to give you the opportunity to observe teaching, practice your own skills and discuss relevant issues with practising professionals.
The practicum programme is a collaborative partnership with a consortium of schools. You are placed in a minimum of three different schools during the year to experience a range of schools - from decile one to ten, and a range of class levels - from years one and two (5 and 6 year olds) to years six, seven and eight (10 to 13 year olds).

You will work alongside experienced associate teachers, teach small groups and build up to taking responsibility for a whole class for a week and three weeks at the end of year.

While in schools, you have the support of an associate teacher, a senior staff coordinator and lecturers. Associate teachers are responsible for modelling classroom practice, providing opportunities for students to teach, giving feedback and assessing your progress.

Faculty lecturers / University supervisors will also visit you to support your development as a teacher, and to provide feedback.

These placements are available in selected schools across Auckland and will be spread across the school year. You must be prepared to travel to schools at your own cost. There are two ways your practicum may be scheduled:

• One day per week (Tuesday) in a school plus three blocks in February, May/June and October/November
  Or
• Three blocks in February, April and May/June and October/November (no one day per week in a school).

Career opportunities

After just one year of successful study, you’ll be qualified to teach in primary and intermediate schools. It is also possible to apply for secondary teaching positions e.g. reading and language support. Primary teachers with a degree in a secondary school curriculum subject e.g. science, may be able to teach in secondary schools.

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) enjoys a strong reputation in the teaching community, where its graduates are in demand.

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

Study dates

Mid-January to December
Mid year intake available dependent on numbers

Years to complete

One year full-time study (this is an intensive programme equivalent to 1.3 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

Academic prerequisites

The basic academic prerequisite for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) 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

Primary teaching is a demanding profession. We need to make sure that you have thought seriously about the reasons you want to become a teacher. We need to identify the strengths that you would bring to teaching. These qualities are assessed by referees’ reports and at an interview.

The following selection criteria are used:

• Written and spoken communication in English and personal qualities for primary teaching.
• If English or Mäori is not your first language then we require that you provide sufficient evidence of your competency in English.

New Zealand Teachers Council criteria

To be admitted to this programme students must demonstrate the potential to meet the New Zealand Teachers Council criteria for provisional registration.
Two declarations are required by the Teachers Council at registration time: declaration of criminal convictions and declaration of health conditions.

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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