Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education enables people with a range of technical or vocational qualifications and experience to teach in a range of settings.

Why study this course?

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education meets the professional needs of students with vocational qualifications who want to teach in their discipline area in an adult learning environment. It is designed for people wishing to become trainers, learning facilitators or consultants in the adult and vocational education sectors. Students will develop strong teaching skills and strengthen their knowledge about adolescents, adults, and learning. They will develop an awareness of social justice and equity policies and their application in a range of teaching and learning environments such as Indigenous, refugee and migrant education and training strategies.

The course is offered by distance education, providing students with the flexibility to study at a time and place that suits their lifestyle, with access to a wide range of learning materials, support and communication tools online. Students may choose to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education after the completion of four 8 point subjects.

Students will develop:

• an understanding of the broad socio-economic and political context in which adult and vocational education is located
• an awareness of social justice and equity policies and their application in a range of teaching and learning environments; for example Indigenous, refugee and migrant education and training strategies
• knowledge about adolescents and adults and learning
• skills in teaching and learning
• skill in the assessment of student learning and the evaluation of training programs
• skills in and knowledge of training in workplace environments
• expertise in communication in face-to-face and digital teaching and learning environments, including mastery of appropriate technologies
• the capacity to design and manage adult and vocational education programs
• an awareness of the value of open and lifelong learning
• a predisposition to reflect upon and to accept professional responsibility for their own continuing education
• the ability to analyse and think critically and constructively about current developments in vocational education and training
• research skills that enhance professional and workplace practice

Graduation requirements

Students must successfully complete eight core subjects (64 points) to graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education. Students may choose to exit after successfully completing four core subjects (32 points) with the Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.