Regulations for The Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching - GradDipLnTchg

Official rules and regulations for the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching. These regulations are for the 2025 intake to this qualification.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified;

and have

(b) been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits, or equivalent; and

(c) demonstrated competence in literacy and numeracy as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand; and

(d) achieved an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with no band less than 7.0 or approved equivalent within the preceding two years, unless the candidate holds New Zealand University Entrance Level 2 literacy credits or higher, or Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand recognised equivalent qualification(s) and/or schooling; and

(e) met the requirements for registration as set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, in terms of values, fitness and disposition to teach; and

(f) been selected on the basis of a selection process which may include a written application, Police Vetting report, interview, referee reports and practical exercises, as may be determined by the Academic Board or their delegate.

2. Admission to the Secondary endorsement requires that candidates will:

(a) meet the requirements specified in Regulation 1; and

(b) have completed a body of study at New Zealand Qualifications Framework Levels 5 to 7 and/or higher in at least one subject that is relevant for teaching a particular Secondary School subject.

Qualification requirements

3. Candidates for the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching shall follow a flexible programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 150 credits, comprising:

(a) the core courses listed in the Schedule to the diploma; and

(b) the courses listed in the schedule for one endorsement; and

(c) attendance at professional practice and community placements, field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories as required.

Specialisations

4. Candidates must complete an endorsement by passing at least 120 credits in that subject. The requirements for each endorsement are set out in Part B of the Schedule for the Qualification.

5. The endorsements available for the Graduate Diploma of Learning are: Primary, Secondary, Early Childhood Education.

Academic requirements

6. Every candidate for the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching shall perform to the satisfaction of the Academic Board or their delegate at least 16 weeks of supervised professional experience placements, in accordance with the requirements of the courses listed in the schedule for the endorsement in which they are enrolled.

Student progression

7. Massey University may cancel or refuse to permit the enrolment of a candidate in the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching if, in the opinion of the University, that candidate is found not to meet in general terms the requirements set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration as a teacher in New Zealand in terms of good character and fitness to be a teacher.

8. Should a candidate in the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching be charged with, or convicted, of an offence against the law after entry into the qualification, the candidate must advise the Pro Vice-Chancellor or their nominee of the charge or conviction within three days.

9. If the Pro Vice-Chancellor or their nominee is of the opinion that any candidate does not meet in general terms the requirements set down by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration as a teacher in New Zealand in terms of good character and fitness to be a teacher, the candidate's registration in the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching programme will be cancelled.

Completion requirements

10. A candidate’s programme of study may not exceed three years from date of first enrolment in a course to be credited to the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.

11. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

12. For candidates enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching the following will lead to exclusion from the qualification:

(a) failure to obtain a pass in a course in two successive attempts; or

(b) failure to pass courses totalling at least 75 academic credits or failure to pass at least 50 percent of an approved part-time programme of study in any academic year; or

(c) failure to complete the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching within three years from date of first enrolment in a course to be credited to the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.

13. A person excluded under Regulation 12 will only be readmitted to the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching with the approval of Academic Board or their nominee. Such approval may be withheld or granted subject to conditions.

Schedule for the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Core courses (Choose 30 credits from)

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 263400 Learning and Teaching 1 15 credits

This course uses a research informed, evidence-based approach to introduce how learning happens in its social, cultural and historical context and what this means for effective teaching for all learners. The multiple factors shaping identity will be introduced, and students will develop awareness of and reflect on diverse perspectives regarding identity.

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Course code: 263401 Learning and Teaching 2 15 credits

This course uses a research informed, evidence-based approach to examine how learning happens in its social, cultural and historical context and what this means for effective teaching for all learners. The multiple factors shaping identity will be explored, and students will develop awareness of, and critically reflect on, diverse perspectives regarding identity.

Prerequisites: 263400

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Endorsements

Early Childhood Education (120 credits)

Compulsory courses

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 265410 Professional Practice 1 (ECE) 30 credits

This course provides an introduction to professional practice in early childhood education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

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Course code: 265411 Professional Practice 2 (ECE) 30 credits

This course provides further development of professional practice in early childhood education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

Prerequisites: 265410

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Course code: 265412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (ECE) 30 credits

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in the context of early childhood education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Course code: 265413 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (ECE) 30 credits

This course provides further development with the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in the context of early childhood education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Primary (120 credits)

Compulsory courses

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 278410 Professional Practice 1 (Primary) 30 credits

This course provides an introduction to professional practice in primary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

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Course code: 278411 Professional Practice 2 (Primary) 30 credits

This course provides further development of professional practice in primary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

Prerequisites: 278410

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Course code: 278412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Primary) 30 credits

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in the context of primary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Course code: 278413 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (Primary) 30 credits

This course provides further development of the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in the context of primary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Secondary (120 credits)

Compulsory courses

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 260410 Professional Practice 1 (Secondary) 30 credits

This course provides an introduction to professional practice in secondary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

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Course code: 260411 Professional Practice 2 (Secondary) 30 credits

This course provides further development of professional practice in secondary school settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, through observation, teaching, critical self-reflection and evaluation of practice.

Prerequisites: 260410

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Course code: 260415 Curriculum and Pedagogy B (Secondary) 30 credits

This course provides pathways for students to engage with the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in a second learning area within the context of secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also examines connections between curriculum areas and explores wider issues pertaining to secondary education guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Compulsory course selection

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 260412 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary Maths, Science, Technology) 30 credits

This course engages students with the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in maths or science or technology within the context of secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Course code: 260413 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary English, Languages, Social Sciences) 30 credits

This course engages students with the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in English, or languages or the social sciences within the context of secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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Course code: 260414 Curriculum and Pedagogy A (Secondary Arts, Physical Education & Health) 30 credits

This course engages students with the theory and practice of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in the arts, or physical education and health within the context of secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand guided by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangata whenuatanga.

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