Graduate Certificate of Education

Why enrol in the Graduate Certificate of Education?

Sheridan's Graduate Certificate of Education (GradCertEd) is aimed at individuals who seek to deepen their understanding of educational practice. The program promotes the emergence of educational leaders across the independent, Catholic and public school systems. Sheridan seeks to train educators who exemplify professional excellence, address the needs in their school community and incorporate Christian perspectives into their personal and professional lives. Instruction takes place in a supportive environment that fosters intellectual inquiry, equips for professional practice and encourages servant leadership.

Sheridan anticipates that the GradCertEd program will be a catalyst for building capacity within each teacher's school, stimulating new research that will lead to school improvement, and cultivating a "learning community" for both students and staff.

The GradCertEd is a nested qualification within the Sheridan Master of Education (MEd). GradCertEd graduates who are subsequently accepted into the MEd program will receive full credit for the first six (6) months of their MEd course.

The Graduate Certificate of Education award is accredited by TEQSA as an AQF Level 8 qualification. This course will not enable graduates to register as a qualified teacher in a school or educational facility.

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.

Common Core unit (1-2 units)

ED550 Worldview Foundations of Education
ED509 Introduction to Education in Australia (core for international students)

Elective units (choose 2-3 units)

In addition to the core unit(s) above, you must complete two or three different 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
BU673 Organisational Leadership

Course Duration

Mode of Study

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

Course Guide