Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation

CRICOS: 102800H

The Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation gives you a four-subject foundation in teaching and learning before you commit to a full Master of Teaching. Study core education theory framed within a Christian worldview, and every subject counts directly toward the Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Alphacrucis University College.

Course Duration
n/a
Study Modes
n/a
Study Locations
n/a
Start Dates
Term 3 (July)
Fees
Please enquire about fees.
Subjects
4

What is the Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation?

The Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation is a four-subject postgraduate course that builds the educational knowledge, theory and professional foundation you need before stepping into a classroom or further teacher training. It's designed as a pathway into the Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary) — or as a recognised exit point if you need to step back from a Master of Teaching earlier than planned. Choose the Primary pathway (Foundations of Christian Education, Teaching and Learning Evidence and Practice, Language and Literacy, and Mathematics and Numeracy for Years K-2) or the Secondary pathway (Foundations of Christian Education, Teaching and Learning Evidence and Practice, Child and Adolescent Development and Learning, and a Curriculum subject). Every subject is framed within a biblical worldview and carries directly into the matching Master of Teaching course.

Who is this for?

Are you considering a career in teaching but want to test your fit before committing to a full Master’s degree?

Have you started a Master of Teaching and need a recognised exit point because of changed personal or professional circumstances?

Do you want a postgraduate qualification that builds your educational knowledge from a Christian worldview, ready to apply in a classroom, a church, or a not-for-profit setting?

If you want a focused, four-subject foundation in teaching and learning before going further, this course is for you.

Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation are equipped for roles that draw on educational knowledge and critical thinking. Career opportunities include:

– Education Support Officer or Teaching Assistant: Apply foundational teaching and learning theory in a school or training setting.
– Ministry or Church-Based Education Roles: Use education research and critical thinking skills in church and ministry contexts.
– Not-for-Profit or Mission-Focused Program Roles: Support education-related programs in mission-focused organisations.

This course also serves as the entry point into the Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary), for those who want to go on to become a registered teacher.

Accreditation

The Graduate Certificate in Teacher Preparation is self-accredited by Alphacrucis University College under our TEQSA registration (PRV12006), last reviewed in 2023.

This course is not a teacher registration pathway on its own — it’s designed to lead into the NESA and AITSL accredited Master of Teaching (Primary) or Master of Teaching (Secondary), which carry teacher registration outcomes. [VERIFY: confirm whether any standalone professional recognition applies to this Graduate Certificate itself]

Course Structure

Subjects & Units

This is a foundational subject for the Master of Teaching program. It introduces the philosophical and theoretical framework for this program and provides an overview of the international and national education context with a specific focus on Australian education policy and curriculum. This subject introduces key educational philosophers and theorists and explores their influence on education with a particular focus on Christian education. It introduces the evidence-based theoretical foundation for students to effectively plan engaging learning sequences and to manage a supportive learning environment. 

This subject introduces initial teacher education (ITE) students to the core components of effective teaching and learning. It explores how cognitive evidence-based theory informs teaching decisions, instructional design and assessment in relation to the classroom and the broader school context.  Students will examine cognitive evidence-based theory and consider how this can be applied in various learning contexts with different groups of learners.  They will also explore student diversity, differentiation and how to design lesson plans that integrate evidence-based theory and that demonstrate good planning to engage a broad range of learners.  

This subject explores how the English language is used in personal, community, academic and professional contexts while providing insight into language use in a multicultural and plurilingual society. Students will develop an understanding of the principles and theories of language and literacy developmentand a social view of language and varieties of spoken and written English. They will also examine how spoken and written language combine with other ways to make meaning through multimodal texts. Students will apply their understanding of informal, formal, diagnostic, formative and summative assessment strategies to their own language and literacy skills and needs. They will also apply this social view of language when working with a range of texts.  

The foundations for strong mathematical knowledge are laid in primary education. This unit and its related content are organised in number and algebra, measurement and space, and statistics and probability. The important role of working mathematically plays across all areas of mathematics and reflects the strengthened connections between the concepts. Students examine developmental teaching theories and the psychology of learning mathematics, and how to use these to foster flexible, critical and creative thinking. They will also explore learning sequence design and lesson planning that promotes student-centred teaching and learning, examine investigative activities and tools to promote problem-solving and mathematics communication, apply strategies for assessment task development and learn to effectively integrate contemporary ICT tools and strategies into their teaching. Students will also explore a values-based approach to teaching mathematics from a Christian worldview. 

This is a foundational subject for the Master of Teaching program. It introduces the philosophical and theoretical framework for this program and provides an overview of the international and national education context with a specific focus on Australian education policy and curriculum. This subject introduces key educational philosophers and theorists and explores their influence on education with a particular focus on Christian education. It introduces the evidence-based theoretical foundation for students to effectively plan engaging learning sequences and to manage a supportive learning environment. 

This subject introduces initial teacher education (ITE) students to the core components of effective teaching and learning. It explores how cognitive evidence-based theory informs teaching decisions, instructional design and assessment in relation to the classroom and the broader school context.  Students will examine cognitive evidence-based theory and consider how this can be applied in various learning contexts with different groups of learners.  They will also explore student diversity, differentiation and how to design lesson plans that integrate evidence-based theory and that demonstrate good planning to engage a broad range of learners.  

This subject introduces human development with a specific focus on the period from early childhood through to adolescence and early adulthood where students study the historical and contemporary theory of cognitive, psychosocial, physical, and spiritual development. These are considered through a Christian Worldview lens. Students analyse factors that influence child and adolescent development and the implications for educational practice with a specific focus on teaching and learning. They also consider what it means for humans to flourish and some of the primary challenges that children and adolescents face in relation to wellbeing together with what teachers and schools can do to support them. 

No subjects found in this category.

Work-Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning may be undertaken through various Professional Practice and Professional Experience subjects at AC. These subjects seek to create a direct linkage between the learning, skills and values engaged in lectures, and the reflection which occurs when these are applied in real-life settings. These work-based training subjects comprise of instruction, academic assessment and a placement in a workplace for each subject.

Work-Integrated Learning may be undertaken through Professional Practice and Professional Experience subjects at Alphacrucis. These subjects link the learning, skills and values covered in lectures to real-life professional teaching settings, combining instruction, academic assessment and workplace placement.

More Information

For more information and details of previous course structures see Student Handbook.

*You can also use the Subject & Unit Search to explore the subjects (including electives) available to enrol in for this course and can filter by subject area and level.
For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

What people say

No data was found

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  • An advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of the essential skills, theory and relevant industry standards for teaching.

Skills

  • Advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills to critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate relevant teaching and learning evidence-based research from a biblically informed perspective within specific curriculum frameworks, and apply this to design quality teaching and learning experiences.

Application of Knowledge and Skills

  • Professional practice and problem solving using ethical and biblical principles in professional teaching contexts.
  • Application of knowledge and skills to demonstrate professional autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner within a professional teaching context.

Admission Criteria

Entry Requirements

Additional Information

Higher Education Study

Completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) in any discipline by an authorised institution.

International Students – Language Requirements

IELTS (or equivalent) Score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.0 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 6.5 in speaking and listening).

Equivalent scores in PTE are also accepted.

How to Apply

  • Get Started

    Read through the admissions criteria and ensure you meet the entry requirements.

  • Apply

    It’s easy! Apply online or contact us and we can help on 1300 228 355.

  • Offer

    We’ll contact you shortly after to confirm your details and help you through the rest of the process.

Key Dates
Semester 1
Term 1
February / March
Term 2
April
Semester 2
Term 3
July / August
Term 4
November

Download your free course guide

Explore our courses, study modes and pathways, and get to know our students, alumni and faculty.

First name *
Last name *
Email *
Phone *
Readiness *
Questions for us?

Have a question? We’re here to help.

Fill out the form below to speak with a course advisor about your study goals and upcoming intakes.

First name *
Last name *
Email *
Phone *
Readiness *
Questions for us?