Graduate Certificate in Education*

The Graduate Certificate in Education is a nested award in the Master of Education, designed to equip education professionals with an understanding of a biblical perspective on the philosophical foundations of education.

Course Description

The Graduate Certificate in Education (GCE) is designed for qualified classroom teachers to upgrade their expertise and credentials with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of their teaching. It can be a destination course or exit point, thus allowing flexibility for students who may wish to start with a short postgraduate course before committing to a Master of Education.

The GCE course involves engaging, critiquing, and re-forming scholarly educational discourse and practice in light of biblical perspectives. Students will be equipped to re-imagine and develop flourishing and hope-filled learning communities, equipped to contribute to the task of transformative education.

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Course Structure

This course structure applies to students admitted into the Graduate Certificate in Education from Semester 1 2024 onwards. For previous iterations, please view the Student Handbook.

The course structure is based on one semester (of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in the semester (full time) (summer intake and part-time mode available as well). The course comprises of:

  • 40 cp Core subjects

To qualify for award of the degree of Graduate Certificate in Education a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 40 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects noted below.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Admissions

Academic Entry Requirements

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)
This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 7.0 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Study Modes

Locations: Online
Full-time Duration: 6 months full-time
Part-time Duration: up to 4 years part-time
Intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Intake

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Demonstrated:

  • recognition of the diversity of life values that characterise today’s pluralist societies, including as appropriate, consideration and application of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and ability to encourage respect, based on informed understanding, of those who hold views that differ from those of the school community;
  • understanding of the development of theological and anthropological perspectives on Christian educational practice.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • critically evaluate and effectively communicate educational leadership theories and practices in order to most effectively achieve desired learning outcomes with special attention to embedded worldview and life values;
  • demonstrate knowledge and higher-order of skills that are required for effective Christian educational leadership and training in such areas as teaching, curriculum, administration and research in order to develop, sustain and fulfil the vision and mission of particular school communities;
  • articulate a clear understanding of a biblical worldview, and its impact on philosophical and historical trends in education. Plan and implement educational programs in the social and cultural context of the contemporary world that are critically shaped by a biblically informed experience of that world.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • display creativity and flexibility supported by biblically informed, rigorous reasoning in identifying and dealing with emerging problems in the educational leadership context;
  • develop a plan for continual personal development that includes spiritual, professional and interpersonal skills for effective school leadership and collegial academic engagement.

Career Opportunities

This course aims to produce graduates who are competent and reflective professional education leaders who are equipped to engage in life-long learning in their educational profession. The Graduate Certificate in Education has been developed primarily for qualified school principals and those in school leadership positions within the Christian Education National schools in Australia, however, the course may be undertaken by education leaders in other school systems in Australia, as well as by students studying online overseas.


STUDENT STORY

"The AC teachers have believed in me more than I believed in myself, they have been an example for us to follow and inspired us by sharing their own personal stories. They have shown me the highest level of dedication and passion for what they do."

Su Pheng Lim
Education Graduate

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Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

ABOUT NICE

*Through a Higher Education Third Party Arrangement (HETPA), the National Institute for Christian Education (NICE) delivers this course of study on AC’s behalf. NICE is a postgraduate training institute that has been developing  Christian educators since 1979. For more information about NICE, including the suite of courses they deliver, their teaching faculty, requirements for admission into this course of study, and information about fees and student services, please visit NICE’s website.

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CRICOS Course Code: 097942G