Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education

Admission requirements

Admittance to this program is via:

- guaranteed entry for students in the Bachelor of Education (K-12 Middle Schooling) program. Concurrent enrolment at any stage is permitted following consultation with the Course Coordinator

- qualified secondary teachers who hold a three- or four-year undergraduate or postgraduate teaching degree from any Australian tertiary institution or international equivalent. Consultation with the Course Coordinator will be required prior to the selection of subjects

or

- as otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator.

Additional Literacy Requirements

To be successful at studies within certain courses, students must be highly competent in spoken and written English literacy.

All students who do not have this level of competence in spoken and written English will be required to independently organise some form of coaching in English literacy, such as a short TAFE course or other form of tuition to improve their skills. Students will be advised of their options by the Head of School from the campus where they are enrolled.

If, after an agreed period of study in English literacy, a student's English literacy standard has not improved, the appropriate Head of School will provide further advice with regard to alternative career options.

Criminal Record Clearance

Most states in Australia (except NSW) require preservice teachers to undergo a Working with Children Check (WCC) prior to undertaking a placement in a school or early childhood service. The checks are intended to identify people who have convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, who may put patients'/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

NSW and other state schools only require the WCC for students undertaking an internship.

Prospective students should be aware that not passing a criminal record clearance may make it difficult for them to complete a teacher education course satisfactorily because of the unavailability of suitable school or preschool experiences. Preservice teachers who participate in Internship programs in NSW DET schools will be required to have a Working with Children Check.

In addition, all students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration every year of the program, indicating if they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act 1998.

The Department of Health in NSW, and most other states, currently require all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement, to undergo a Working with Children Check.

Currently, NSW Department of Sport & Recreation have the same guidelines as NSW DET.

If you have any queries regarding this matter, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Coordinator.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.