Graduate Diploma of Special Education

Fees apply.

The Graduate Diploma of Special Education is a specialist qualification designed for teachers who wish to acquire basic training in special education. The course provides teachers with basic training in Special Education and the opportunity to increase their status in the teaching profession, obtain four-year trained salaries, increase eligibility for promotion and gain recognition as a teacher with special professional qualifications.

Enrolment through

Bathurst Campus. Mid year enrolment is also available.

Study mode

Distance education
Full-time on campus

Normal course duration

Part-time 2 years
Full-time 1 year

The minimum time requirement for part-time candidature is two years and the maximum time four years.

Admission criteria

Applicants must:

· hold a three-year Diploma of Teaching or Bachelor of Teaching degree;

or

· be a graduate of an approved tertiary institution with an end-on integrated professional qualification in teaching;

or

· possess other qualifications deemed to be equivalent by the Faculty of Education;

and

· have access to clients in educational or other settings for the completion of practical exercises.

Course requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 8 eight-credit point subjects one of which is the Practicum component that must be passed at a satisfactory standard.

There will be an Orientation Day held on a Saturday in the Autumn Session each year for all students enrolled in this course to introduce new and continuing students to staff, other students and library resources. The date of the Orientation Day will be advised through the Open Learning Institute at the commencement of the Autumn Session.

Residential school

There are no compulsory residential schools. One voluntary residential school will be conducted in Autumn session of the first year only. This will be held in the Easter school vacation.

Course structure

Year 1

Session 1 (Autumn)

ESS401 Introduction to Exceptionality

ESS402 Assessment in Special Education

Session 2 (Spring)

ESS403 Managing Behaviour Problems

ESS404 Special Education Programming Strategies

Year 2

Session 3 (Autumn)

ESS407 Understanding Literacy Problems

ESS408 Diagnostic Teaching of Mathematics

or

ESS405 Early Intervention

Session 4 (Spring)

ESS406 Teacher as Communicator

ESS409 Special Education Practicum

Inquiries

Course Coordinator
Robyn Bentley-Williams
School of Teacher Education
Telephone: (02) 6338 4348
Facsimile: (02) 6338 4417
Email: rbentley@csu.edu.au