Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
Build on your experience in education with the Graduate Diploma of Specialist Education. This one year professional development course will give you the latest educational and research perspectives to develop your analytical thinking, collaborative learning and transformative practice skills in localised, national and/or international settings.
This flexible course can be completed online or on campus, full-time or part-time, and can be personalised to meet your personal, organisational, workplace and community interests.
Choose to specialise in:
- Digital Learning Futures,
- Inclusive Education,
- Indigenous Knowledges Education,
- International Education,
- Managing and Leading Education,
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), or
- University Teaching and Learning
This course is designed for teachers, practitioners, policymakers and principals working in the Northern Territory, Australia and the Asia Pacific.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities as education policymakers, practitioners, school teachers and principals in Australia and internationally.
Please note that completion of this course does not lead to teacher registration.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2026 is AUD $32,760.00. This equates to $ $4,095.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Gain advanced knowledge in the education field with a postgraduate teaching degree at CDU. Choose from a range of specialist contemporary streams such as Digital Learning futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledgee Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
Why study education at CDU?
Educate and inspire the next generation with a teaching degree at CDU. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped with a nationally-accredited degree to work anywhere in Australia.
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Complete placements close to home
- Unique opportunities for regional and remote placements
What will I study?
The Graduate Diploma of Specialist Education offers two core units, which equip students with contemporary educational and research perspectives and approaches. The programme also offers a choice of specialist areas encompassing Digital Learning Futures, Inclusive Education, Indigenous Knowledges Education, International Education, Managing and Leading Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), or University Teaching and Learning.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (2 units) | 20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. EMG501 Contemporary Issues in Education |
| Specialist Elective (4 units) | 40cp | Choose one of the Specialist Elective specialisations as listed below and complete 40 credit points or choose units from across specialisations: DIGITAL LEARNING FUTURES INCLUSIVE EDUCATION INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGES EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION MANAGING AND LEADING EDUCATION TESOL University Teaching and Learning |
| General Electives (2 units) | 20cp | Units totalling up to 20 credit points may be selected from postgraduate units offered by the University. Students may select units from any of the approved specialisations (as above) as electives or by cross institutional enrolment that is approved by the course coordinator. |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES and Transitional Arrangements for 2026
Course Changes:
From 2026, specialist electives will reduce to 40cp, with 20cp of general electives introduced. Any specialist electives completed beyond 40cp will be recognised as general elective credit.
- BUS506 Global Megatrends has been replaced by HRM506 Global Human Resources (not equivalent)
- ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship has been replaced by ENT502 Entrepreneurship (not equivalent)
- MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership has been replaced by MAN517 Executive Leadership (equivalent)
Transition Arrangements:
- Students who have completed BUS506 Global Megatrends should not complete HRM506 Global Human Resources.
- Students who have completed ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship should not complete ENT502 Entrepreneurship.
- Students who have completed MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership should not complete MAN517 Executive Leadership
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | GE = General Elective |
FULL-TIME Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| EMG501 Contemporary Issues in Education | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | General Elective | GE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | General Elective | GE |
PART-TIME Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| EMG501 Contemporary Issues in Education | CO | General Elective | GE |
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | General Elective | GE |
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | GE = General Elective |
FULL-TIME Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| EMG501 Contemporary Issues in Education | CO | ||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| General Elective | GE | ||
| General Elective | GE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
PART-TIME Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| EMG501 Contemporary Issues in Education | CO | ||
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| General Elective | GE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| General Elective | GE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
SPECIALIST ELECTIVE Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Digital Learning Futures | |
| DLF513 Digital Cultures, Curricula and Assessment DLF515 Digital Technologies: Digital Literacies and Data Literacy UTL521 Technologies for Teaching and Learning | DLF512 Digital Technologies in Aid and Development (only available externally) DLF514 Education, Apps and Mobile Devices UTL521 Technologies for Teaching and Learning |
| Inclusive Education | |
| EIE501 Inclusive Education, Policies and Practice EST533 Primary Specialisation: Special Education, Language and Literacy IAS537Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts SWK572 Creative Ways of Working with Children and Young People | EIE501 Inclusive Education, Policies and Practice EIE502 Promoting Positive Behaviour IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
| Indigenous Knowledges Education | |
| IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemology IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing | IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation |
| International Education | |
| EMG503 Assessment and Quality Assurance in Global Learning EMG504 Leadership in Education IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts | IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
| Managing and Learning Education | |
| EMG504 Leadership in Education IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | HRM506 Global Human Resources BUS508 Business Analytics ENT502 Entrepreneurship IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
| TESOL | |
| TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics TES502 Language, Meaning and Learning (unit title change 2023) TES503 Applied Language Teaching Methodologies TES504 Understanding Language Acquisition TES505 Intercultural Communication | TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics TES504 Understanding Language Acquisition TES506 Language Testing and Evaluation |
| University Teaching and Learning | |
| UTL520 Effective Tertiary Teaching UTL521 Technologies for Teaching and Learning UTL522 Designing Curriculum and Assessment DLF513 Digital Cultures, Curricula and Assessment DLF515 Digital Technologies: Digital Literacies and Data Literacy EMG503 Quality Assessment in Global Contexts UTL524 University Teacher as HDR Supervisor | UTL520 Effective Tertiary Teaching UTL521 Technologies for Teaching and Learning UTL522 Designing Curriculum and Assessment DLF514 Education, Apps and Mobile Devices IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm UTL523 Scholarship of Tertiary Teaching |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's degree or equivalent international qualification.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. All applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
My lecturers and the academic staff at CDU have been very supportive in helping me develop strategies to become a competent teacher in Australia.
Sunny
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about teaching at CDU
Sunny is from China studying a Master of Teaching at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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