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.

Career opportunities

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to enhance teaching in their technical or vocational area. Graduates develop expertise to teach at TAFE, non-TAFE providers of adult and vocational education, and in industry as teachers, trainers, lecturers, learning facilitators or vocational education consultants.

Credit arrangements

Credit on entry of 24 points (VET03C) will be awarded for students who hold the TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. This credit is contingent upon successful completion of the subject EEB312 Reflective Practices and Lifelong Learning.

This credit exempts completion of the subjects EPT327 Effective Teaching in VET, EEE303 Training Design and Assessment, and EPT322 Training in Workplaces.

More information about credit and pathways.

Workplace learning

There is a total of 200 hours of practicum across the program. Students are responsible for organising appropriate sites in which to undertake their practicum and need to meet any site-related requirements and associated costs.

The practicum related subjects are:

• EEE303 Training Design and Assessment
• EPT320 High Level Facilitation Skills for Post Compulsory Education
• EPT322 Training in Workplaces
• EPT327 Effective Teaching in VET

Admission requirements

Applicants to CSU's Graduate Diploma of Adult and Vocational Education require an undergraduate degree from a recognised university and a minimum of one year's industry experience (or equivalent) in a related area.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

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.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2; Session 3