• systematically explore educational theory and practice through a review of educational literature and shared praxis;
• investigate and critically analyse both the theory and practice of education with respect to a particular topic or issue;
• create a holistic personal professional body of knowledge that will be appraised from a Christian world-view;
• solve problems through investigation, critical analysis and reflective thought;
• explain aspects of educational practice on the basis of knowledge and research findings;
• give evidence of an ability to fill organisational roles which require highly developed interpersonal skills;
• display appropriate decision making skills within the context of Christian ethics;
• identify types of research methodologies and their applicability to specified research questions;
• conduct a minor creative research study involving systematic investigation, critical and reflective thought as well as documentation.

To qualify for admission, applicants must have achieved:

• an Australian four-year Bachelor's degree in Education, Bachelor's degree followed by a Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Teaching, or equivalent;
• an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.

In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

In addition, applicants must submit a resume/CV or written summary demonstrating at least two years relevant work experience (maximum 2 pages).

International Students

This course is available online to international students residing outside Australia. Students must be able to obtain an appropriate visa to visit Australia for the compulsory on-campus intensive study period. The course is not available to international students residing in Australia. For information regarding visas refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:

1. achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
2. one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or
3. documentary evidence of a prior qualification (or at least two years of tertiary study) conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country^ and completed within the last two years.

^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

The Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies (GCES) consists of four units and requires 24 credit points to complete. All units are worth six credit points each unless otherwise stated. This course is not offered full-time.

The four units required to complete the course are:

• A Christian education unit; and
• Three specialisation or elective units.

Christian Education units

Select one of:

Specialisations

• Selecting a specialisation is not mandatory.
• If a specialisation is chosen, all units must be selected from the same specialisation.
• Units are considered ‘elective’ if they span specialisations.
• Specialisations are printed on the testamur at graduation.

Specialisation units

Leadership & Administration

Special & Inclusive Education

Curriculum & Teaching

Students may also choose up to two subjects from the Master of Arts subjects listed under the School of Theology with a maximum of TWO Level 400 units. These may have pre-requisite or other requirements and should be considered in consultation with the Course Convenor.

Health & Wellbeing

Students may choose units from a selection of Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine options at 400 and 500 Level, with a maximum of TWO Level 400 units. These may have pre-requisite or other requirements and should be considered in consultation with the Course Convenor.

• Some units are not available every year. Contact the Course Convenor for more information about unit availability.
• All 6 credit point units require a notional time commitment of 150 hours.
• The maximum time for completion is 4 years.

To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.