Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education endorsed in Hoaka Pounamu: Te Reo Maori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching is designed to extend teachers in the use of te reo Maori in the classroom.

This qualification is ideal for early childhood, primary and secondary teachers who are teaching te reo Maori in mainstream, bilingual and immersion settings and who want to gain an academic qualification whilst upskilling their te reo Maori and teaching skills.

Teachers applying for the programme must have already started learning te reo Maori before they start. Teachers who do not meet this minimum standard may be required to complete an after school or summer school course as a condition of acceptance onto the programme.

Ministry of Education Study Awards

The PGDipEd Hoaka Pounamu is a Ministry of Education Study Awards programme, run in conjunction with Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu.

The Ministry of Education Study Awards provide successful applicants with leave with pay for the duration of the programme, a fees subsidy and other allowances, as well as funding for relief staff employed by schools. The Ministry of Education Study Awards are available and must be applied for.

Qualification structure and duration

The PGDipEd Hoaka Pounamu comprises a total of 120 points.

A candidate wishing to enrol in a thesis for the Master of Education following the award of this diploma should note that completing 0.25 EFTS (30 points) of approved research methodology courses will normally be required.

Further study

Students may proceed to the Master of Education. UC also offers a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Education.

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.

Entry criteria

Candidates must be approved as a candidate for the diploma by the Dean of Education, and have either:

• qualified for any appropriate degree in New Zealand with at least 0.45 EFTS at 300-level in Education; or
• qualified for any appropriate degree in New Zealand and either;
• successfully completed a recognised teacher training course of not less than one year at a New Zealand college of education or university;
• or acquired experience as a teacher, educator or counsellor in a recognised work place or community setting;
• satisfied the conditions for admission to the diploma endorsed in leadership or Hoaka Pounamu; or
• completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Education; or
• been admitted Admission Ad Eundem Statum.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.