Entry requirements

Students wishing to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching must have:

• qualified for an Aotearoa New Zealand teacher education degree, or qualified for a recognised three-year diploma in early childhood, primary, or secondary teaching in Aotearoa; and
• hold current teacher registration in Aotearoa (not a requirement for the Early Intervention endorsement); and
• normally acquired at least two years experience as a teacher or educator in a recognised educational, workplace, or community setting.

Students must be approved to enrol. The relevance and standard of undergraduate studies and any subsequent professional work experience are the main criteria of approval.

Students who do not hold current Aotearoa 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 Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand for registration as a teacher in terms of character and fitness to be a teacher.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements and the requirements set out by Matatū Aotearoa | Teaching Council of New Zealand.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching or use the admission requirements checker.

You can apply online at myUC.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Subjects and courses

The PGDipSpecTchg is made up of four courses (120 points), which includes practical experience.

The Diploma can be awarded endorsed in:

• Complex Educational Needs
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Early Intervention
• Learning and Behaviour.

Complete the following courses depending on the endorsement chosen:

Complex Educational Needs

• EDST601 Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST651 Theory and Foundations in Complex Educational Needs
• EDST652 Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Complex Educational Needs
• EDST653 Practicum in Complex Educational Needs

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• EDST601 Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST621 Theory and Foundations of Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• EDST622 Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• EDST623 Practicum in Deaf and Hard of Hearing

To graduate in this endorsement you must also be able to demonstrate proficiency in Aotearoa New Zealand Sign Language.

Early Intervention

• EDST601 Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST631 Theory and Foundations of Early Intervention
• EDST632 Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Early Intervention
• EDST633 Practicum in Early Intervention

Learning and Behaviour

• EDST601 Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST641 Theory and Foundations of Learning and Behaviour Diversity
• EDST642 Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Learning and Behaviour Diversity
• EDST643 Practicum in Learning and Behaviour Diversity

Further study

UC also offers a Master of Specialist Teaching.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement, and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.