Course Structure

The Graduate Certificate of Education (GradCertEd) comprises 4 units of study (or subjects). Each unit represents 3 credit points. To fulfil the requirements of the GradCertEd award, you will need to complete a minimum of 12 credit points.

Core unit (1 unit)

• ED550 Worldview Foundations of Education

Elective units (choose 3 units)

In addition to the core unit above, you must choose three elective units from the list below to complete a total of four units (12 credit points) to be eligible for the Graduate Certificate of Education award.

You can select from the following list of elective units:

• ED509 Introduction to Education in Australia
• ED620 Curriculum Construction: Analysis and Perspectives
• ED630 Assessment and Evaluation: Refining Understanding and Practices
• ED631 Mentoring
• ED635 Cognitive Science in Education
• ED642 Creative Teaching and Learning
• ED673 Leading School Improvement
• ED692 Educational Research Methods
• A postgraduate business unit (see options)

Course Duration

Two academic terms or longer part-time.

Part-time = less than twelve (12) credit points (or 4 standard units) in an academic term

Mode of Study

Face-to-face through lectures, tutorials and seminars, and is supported by Canvas, Sheridan's server-based learning management system. 

Teaching takes place at the Perth CBD campus (Suite 18, 7 Aberdeen St Perth).

Sheridan does not offer a fully online study option for remote students.

Course Workload

A standard GradCertEd unit represents 150 hours of study over a semester, including class contact hours and personal study. 

The 150 hours typically consist of seminars for 36 hours (3 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks) and personal study for 114 hours (7 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks plus 10 hours per week over 3 non-teaching weeks).

If you are a full-time student (ie you are taking 4 units in a semester) you should plan to set aside a total of 12 hours/week for all your formal classes combined and a total of 28-30 hours/week for all your personal study. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Certificates qualify individuals who apply a body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work and as a pathway for further learning.

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Education, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a specialised understanding of theoretical knowledge and workplace practice in education
• Critically evaluate current and past scholarship and professional practice in the field of education in the light of contemporary research, of workplace practice, including perspectives grounded in Christian scholarship. 
• Demonstrate your ability to analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in education for application across multi-disciplinary contexts.
• Demonstrate your intellectual independence through the application of critical and creative thinking to the study and/or professional practice of education at both an abstract and practical level.
• Communicate your specialist understanding of knowledge and professional practice to specialist and non-specialist audiences through prepared presentations and projects in a variety of settings.
• Model a high level of self-discipline, professional judgment, personal integrity, teamwork and respect for the dignity of individuals and groups in study and workplace settings.

Each unit you take in the Graduate Certificate of Education program will contribute towards the fulfilment of these broader learning outcomes.

Course Specific Requirements

Academic admission pathways into GradCertEd:

• 4-year Bachelor of Education degree, or
• 3-year undergraduate degree and a minimum 1-year postgraduate pre-service teacher education qualification (e.g. GradDipEd or MTeach), or 
• 3-year undergraduate degree in a non-education discipline AND 2 years' full-time equivalent relevant professional experience

Course Guide

Graduate Certificate of Education