Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) Level 7

Summary

The focus of the programme is creating teachers who are able to teach children from 0 to 6 years and providing matauranga/professional knowledge, whakapono/attitudes, values and beliefs, pukenga/skills and knowledge to become proficient educators and leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Graduate Diploma at level 7 is designed to prepare learners to start their career as early childhood educators. It can also be a bridging qualification to Post Graduate study in ECE teaching or disciplines related to a particular
focus, such as children with special needs, Māori tikanga or Pasifika knowledge in ECE.
The Graduate Diploma allows graduates to continue with further study to a Master of Education (ECE) degree delivered in a range of NZ and international tertiary institutions and universities.

Programme information:

• 12 Months course (1.5 academic years)
• 135 Credits (9 papers)

Students in the Graduate Diploma will complete 9 papers, all of which are at level 7, delivered at a maximum of three papers per trimester.
The course involves both theory and practice of 48 weeks (18 weeks in classroom and online, 23 weeks’ classroom and concurrent practicum, 7 weeks’ block practicum).

Paper Outlines

• The Holistic Curriculum
• Te Ao Maori
• Teaching as Inquiry
• Professional Practice Rapunga: Conceptualising Professional Practice ECE
• Early Childhood Education: Histories, Philosophies and Theories
• Human Development: Maori, Pacific and Global Perspective
• The Professional Teacher
• Infant and Toddler Pedagogies
• Professional Practice Toa: Conceptualising Professional Growth in ECE

Graduate Outcomes

The programme meets the standards as defined by NZQA and the NZ Teaching Council. Graduates will be eligible to gain teacher registration in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Employment Outcomes

Most graduates find employment in a range of positions as educators and leaders in the early childhood sector.