Postgraduate Diploma in Education

This postgraduate diploma will give you the opportunity to study various aspects of education at an advanced level. In addition to the general Postgraduate Diploma in Education there are four specialisations offered:

• Special Needs Resource Teaching
• Counselling
• Early Career Teaching (*New specialisation)
• Literacy Education

These specialisations have compulsory courses.

Programme highlights

• Can be studied as a distinct qualification or taken to bridge into the Masters programme
• Wide selection of courses offered
• Range of delivery modes available
• Relevant to those working in early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary education or social services
• May qualify you for Q3+ salary status

Opportunities

This postgraduate diploma focuses on advanced study in education and professional activity. Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education with an average grade of B or higher offers entry into the Master of Education degree.

• Special Needs Resource Teaching specialisation: Qualified teachers appointed to Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) positions are required to complete this specialisation within three years of appointment. Other interested teachers and SENCOs, or those with special needs responsibilities, may take one or more courses depending on availability of places. These are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Joanne Walker, National RTLB Director and Programme Adviser for more details.
• Counselling specialisation: The first part of a two-part specialisation that includes the MEd-Counselling specialisation. This specialisation is designed for teachers, social workers and other professionals wishing to become professional counsellors. It provides a substantial foundation at an advanced level of knowledge and skills in counselling, incorporating theory and research with practice. As well as taught courses, a practicum placement is required. Equips graduates to become Provisional Members of the NZ Association of Counsellors.
• Early Career Teaching specialisation: *New specialisation
  Designed for teachers in the early years of their career. Supports you in your transition from provisionally registered to fully registered teacher status, and also provides a fourth year of academic study that may qualify you for Q3+ salary status.
• Literacy Education specialisation: Provides academic and professional knowledge to enhance teachers’ professional practices in specialist and advisory literacy teacher roles. The programme focuses on the application of strategies to support children’s literacy and especially in developing expertise to meet the needs of low literacy achievers. The programme is for any teacher with an interest in literacy who wishes to enhance their practice.

Content

The postgraduate diploma enables you to pursue postgraduate study in applied areas of education such as Learning and Teaching, Counselling, Adult and Higher Education, Educational Psychology, Māori Education, Literacy Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Arts Education, Supervision and Practice, Leadership and Management, Research and Evaluation, Development Education, and Cultural and Policy Studies in Education.

Study location

Offered as weekly face-to-face and on-campus block courses at Epsom Campus with some courses offered as flexible self-directed study. Counselling specialisation courses are offered at Tamaki Campus. EDPROFST 718 offered online, has face-to-face classes offered at both Tai Tokerau and Epsom campuses.

Length

The requirements for a Postgraduate Diploma must be completed within

• one year of initial enrolment for the postgraduate diploma if enrolled full-time

or

• four years of initial enrolment for the postgraduate diploma if enrolled part-time

In all cases, the semester of initial enrolment is deemed to be the first semester in which the student enrolled for a course which is assigned or reassigned to the programme.

Fees

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

You may be eligible to apply for scholarships and University awards available to help you pay for your study. For more information, call the faculty direct on +64 9 623 8920 or visit www.auckland.ac.nz/scholarships.

Entry criteria

1. In order to be admitted to this programme, a student needs to have one of the following:

• completed the requirements for a bachelors degree in Education from this university or an equivalent degree as approved by Senate or its representative.
• completed the requirements for an Advanced Diploma in Teaching as approved by Senate or its representative and have three years teaching experience.
• completed the requirements for a Graduate Diploma in Education from this university or an equivalent graduate diploma as approved by Senate or its representative.
• if enrolling for the Special Needs Resource Teaching specialisation, completed the requirements for an Advanced Diploma of Teaching or a Diploma of Teaching, and a Diploma in the Education of Students with Special Teaching Needs, as approved by Senate or its representative.

and

• if enrolling in the Counselling specialisation, had not less than three years practical experience in teaching, counselling, nursing, social work or equivalent profession as approved by Senate or its representative. An interview supported by referees’ statements and evidence of practical experience is required.
• if enrolling in the Early Career Teaching specialisation, completed the requirements of a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) degree, or equivalent, as approved by Senate or its representative, and less than three years teaching experience or not hold full registration from the New Zealand Teachers Council.

2. No student on whom the Degree of Master of Arts in Education has already been conferred by The University of Auckland may enrol for this postgraduate diploma unless specific approval is given by Senate or its representative.

3. Admission to the programme requires the approval of Senate or its representative.

Programme Structure

Requirement:

either

• 120 points from EDPROFST 700-757, 760-788, EDPROFM 700, 701, EDUC 702-764, 774, 776, 787, MUSED 701, 702, 710, 711, 780

or

• at least 75 points from EDPROFST 700-757, 760-788, EDPROFM 700,701, EDUC 702-764, 774, 776, 787, MUSED 701, 702, 710, 711, 780
• up to 45 points from 700 level courses in another subject. The approval of all Heads of Departments is required.

or

Special Needs Resource Teaching specialisation
Prerequisite: Prior approval from the Dean of Faculty of Education

• 120 points: EDPROFST 733-736

or

Counselling specialisation
Prerequisite: Prior approval from the Dean of Faculty of Education

• 90 points: EDPROFST 746, 747, 748, 749
• 30 points from EDPROFST 700-757, 760-788, EDUC 702-764

or

Early Career Teaching specialisation

• 60 points: EDPRAC 701
• 30 points from EDPROFST 750, 756, 757, 758, 788, EDUC 774, 787
• 30 points from EDPROFST 700-757, 760-788, EDPROFM 700, 701, EDUC 702-764, 787, MUSED 701, 702, 710, 711, 780, or from 700 level courses related to their area of inquiry from other schedules across the University. The approval of all Heads of Department is required.

or

Literacy Education specialisation
Prerequisite: Prior approval from the Dean of Faculty of Education

• 120 points: EDPROFST 700-703

Note 1: A student wishing to enrol in a thesis or research portfolio for the Master of Education following the award of this postgraduate diploma must pass 30 points of approved research methodology courses.

Note 2: A student wishing to enrol in the Master of Educational Leadership is advised to include EDPROFST 738 and 757 in the postgraduate diploma.

View summary of courses offered in 2010 (Not all courses are offered every year)

Further study

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education is also a pathway into the Master of Education. From a masters you could then go on to study at doctoral level.

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.

Note: applications for the Counselling specialisation must be received by 15 November. This includes the completed SIF form plus referee reports.