Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching PGDipSpecTchg
The PGDipSpecTchg provides students with a strong appreciation of specialist teaching as an interdisciplinary field of practice and the ability to apply their specialist teaching knowledge and skills in diverse cultural context. It comprises one compulsory course and three courses from the student’s chosen endorsement of early intervention, deaf and hearing impairment or learning and behaviour, and includes practical experience.
Entry requirements
Candidates wishing to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching must have either:
- qualified for any appropriate degree in New Zealand with at least 0.45 EFTS at 300 level in Education; or
- qualified for any appropriate degree in New Zealand and either
- successfully completed a recognised teacher training course of not less than one year at a New Zealand college of education or university or
- acquired experience as a teacher in a recognised educational institution or setting or
- acquired appropriate experience as an educator in a work-place or community setting
- or, been admitted Ad Eundem Statum. Teachers with a DipT and appropriate experience may be admitted via this pathway.
Note: In order to graduate with the Diploma endorsed in Deaf and Hearing Impairment, students must be able to demonstrate proficiency in New Zealand Sign Language.
The relevance and standard of undergraduate studies and any subsequent professional work experience are the main criteria of approval.
Candidates who do not hold current New Zealand professional Registration will be required to undergo police vetting prior to gaining entry into the programme. They must meet requirements equivalent to those set down by the New Zealand Teachers Council for registration as a teacher in terms of character and fitness to be a teacher.
Candidates for whom English is a second language must provide evidence of IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with no individual score below 7.0 (or the equivalent TOEFL score) or other evidence that is acceptable to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.
To apply, domestic students should download an Application for Approval into Award from the College of Education website or contact the College of Education, prior to submitting an Application to Enrol. International students see Postgraduate admission - international students for more information.
Courses
The course of study for the PGDipSpecTchg comprise courses equivalent to 120 points. The required courses for each endorsement are listed below.
Compulsory course
- EDST 601 Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
Complex Educational Needs endorsement
- EDST 651 Theory and Foundations of Complex Educational Needs
- EDST 652 Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Complex Educational Needs
- EDST 653 Practicum in Complex Educational Needs
Deaf and Hearing Impairment endorsement
- EDST 621 Theory and Foundations of Deaf and Hearing Impairment
- EDST 622 Evidence-based Practice in Deaf and Hearing Impairment
- EDST 623 Practicum in Deaf and Hearing Impairment
Early Intervention endorsement
- EDST 631 Theory and Foundations of Early Intervention
- EDST 632 Evidence-based Practice in Early Intervention
- EDST 633 Practicum in Early Intervention
Learning and Behaviour endorsement
- EDST 641 Theory and Foundations of Learning and Behaviour Diversity
- EDST 642 Evidence-based Practice in Learning and Behaviour Diversity
- EDST 643 Practicum in Learning and Behaviour Diversity
Duration
One year full-time or up to four years part-time.
More information
For full requirements see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching (University Regulations website).
For course advice contact the College of Education.