Course details

Summary

Make a difference in young people’s lives.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching will help you inspire the children of today to become the leaders of tomorrow.

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Massey is ranked in the world’s top 150 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.

Primary teaching is a creative, challenging, and learning-focussed career. As an educator or teaching graduate you’ll bring a special perspective to teaching children with your knowledge, skills and passion for learning.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) is either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time intensive course which you chose to undertake either on campus as an internal student (either at Palmerston North or Auckland) or in your own home as a distance student. The programme aims to develop professional understandings and the practical skills required to guide children's learning in New Zealand primary school classrooms.

This course is designed to build on the breadth of knowledge and life skills you bring with you and to further enhance your disposition for learning and teaching.

Renowned in New Zealand and abroad

This internationally portable qualification is ranked in the top 100 among universities worldwide, has a 90% rate of teacher registration, and a national reputation for innovative teaching from our breadth of leading specialist lecturers. Its reputation means you will be in demand for teaching positions both in New Zealand and overseas upon graduating.

Gain skills relevant to the future of education

Our combined offering of extensive placement in partner schools, and large faculty of practitioner based teaching staff means you will gain significant real-world teaching and learning experiences and graduate with the skills and knowledge to create your own innovative teaching environments.

Solve the big issues in education

As classrooms become increasingly diverse and advanced, education faces a range of new and unexpected challenges. At Massey we are committed to addressing these challenges and shaping our future nation. Through our Professional Inquiry courses we develop teachers who will be the problem solvers in 21st century education.

Careers

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) will be eligible to apply for provisional teacher registration with the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. As a provisionally certificated teacher, you will be qualified to teach in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools.

Massey University Institute of Education prides itself on the success rate of its graduates in winning jobs as teachers at the conclusion of their initial teacher education programme.

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) structure

This is an intensive (165 credits) graduate diploma programme which emphasizes the professional and personal aspects of the role of a primary teacher in New Zealand school settings.

You are actively encouraged to be learners in an electronic environment, as well as a real-world environment. Class work is grounded in demonstration and application of teaching performance. Problem-solving approaches to learning are emphasized.

There is a strong classroom-based component which is grounded in knowledge and understanding of teaching. The two Teaching Experience courses include a total of 15 weeks of practica which students will complete in three block placements across the year. Note: Travel to practica is the responsibility of the student teacher.

Entry criteria

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) with Massey University must hold the minimum entry level of one of the following qualifications:

• a Bachelor's degree at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) consisting of at least 360 credits
• a Bachelor's degree with Honours at level 8 on the (NZQF) consisting of at least 480 credits
• a Master’s degree at level 9 on the (NZQF) consisting of 240 credits.

Applicants with qualifications obtained overseas must have these qualifications assessed by New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to determine comparability with New Zealand qualifications.

If your first language is not English, you will need to attach a verified copy of your results in the form of an IELTS test. The IELTS test must have a score of at least 7.0 or higher in all components of the academic version of the test.