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Overview
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Specialise in Educational Inclusion and Diversity

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Gain specialised skills and knowledge

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Learn from primary and secondary experienced academics

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Advance inclusive education practices in school settings

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Supports next step in educational career

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No.1 in Australia for Education Student Support*

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Accelerated, online learning designed for busy teachers

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One of Australia's most affordable online education degrees

*(Good Universities Guide 2023) 

Download a course guide

With more detailed information specific to your course and field of study, including:

  • Full course information and entry requirements
  • Tips for online study success
  • Career opportunities and salaries information
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Quick facts

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Duration

8 months part-time*

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Study mode

100% online

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Intakes

Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct

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Units

4

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Fees

$2,699 per unit, FEE-HELP available

*completion time dependent on individual study path and course availability. Please speak to a Student Advisor for more information.

Master of Education graduate Aleasa Brink speaks about the benefits of engaging in and promoting lifelong learning. 

Aleasa Brink: "Education is a lifelong skill. So, lifelong learning is something that I talk about within my school and within the profession I work, so modelling that and continuing on that path is something that's very important for me." Subheading: What are you trying to achieve from online study? Aleasa: "I want to progress myself in my career and professionally, it's quite relevant. The learning that I'm doing with the study is helping with my work and my work is helping with my study." Subheading: What are your tips for students considering online study? Aleasa: "My first tip would be just to have a go! And finding a course that is going to complement what you're doing, so for me - not a load on top of what I'm doing. It really fits in seamlessly with what I'm already doing, and enhancing that."

Create inclusive classrooms

Our Graduate Certificate in Educational Inclusion and Diversity focuses on student inclusion in the 21st century and how to design learning that supports all students to do their best and thrive.

Core units focus on equipping you with the skillset and knowledge to critically reflect on inclusion, diversity and disability perspectives, delving into the pedagogy underpinning educational inclusivity. You will also examine and understand the role technology plays in collaboration and increasing participation in contemporary classrooms.

Students who undertake this course gain the skills to promote learning that lasts and advance inclusive education practices in school settings, to enable the implementation of inclusive education practices on a practical level.  

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Why study the Graduate Certificate in Education?
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Sustainable professional practice

Create environments that foster lifelong learning, ensuring diverse, inclusive learning.

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Learning for all

Reflect on, and implement pedagogy that ensures diverse learners needs are met, enhancing student wellbeing and increasing positive learning outcomes.

Collaborative technology

Implement effective use of technology that supports learning and participation in contemporary school settings.

Learning Outcomes

Intellectual rigour & creativity

You will gain the skills for critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation educational contexts, concepts and theories to solve for issues, and justify the decisions you make with confidence. Apply innovative and creative responses to emerging educational challenges. Conceive of, and put forward inventive ways to achieve preferable educational futures.

Ethical education practices

Evaluate (and seek understanding of) the implications of challenging ethical issues in education, committing to, but not limited to, social justice, human rights, ethics and sustainability in professional practice, scholarship, and research.

Specialised education skills

You will gain an advanced and integrated theoretical and practical understanding of a specialised area of education with a global perspective. Gain invaluable skills to locate, evaluate, and implement theory to generate reliable data and make evidence-based decisions.

Lifelong learning

Be able to plan and implement ongoing personal and professional learning. Critically reflect on demonstrating vocational discernment, autonomy, resilience, responsibility and accountability when responding to change.

Communication and social skills

Show responsive leadership and the capacity to facilitate collaboration between a diverse range of individuals and teams.

Cultural competence

Commit to education founded on respect for the rights of all persons, reflecting on how global perspectives of educational practice can encourage inclusivity and cultural competence.

What you'll study

The Valuing Diversity unit is designed to consolidate awareness, knowledge and experience in understanding and meeting diverse learners' needs in educational settings.

The Supporting Students in Difficult Times unit provides the knowledge and skills required to effectively support children and young people experiencing personal difficulties and require social and or emotional support.

This unit engages students in critical reflection about inclusion, critical disability perspectives, difference and diversity, and pedagogy and policy to support Inclusive Education. 

In this unit, learn about the digital technologies to support student learning and participation; teacher collaboration and professional learning for inclusion using digital applications, and; innovation and design for inclusion.

Pathway to Master's

When you successfully complete your Graduate Certificate in Educational Inclusion and Diversity, if you wish to take your learning further, you can apply for our Master of Education and receive advanced standing for the units you have completed. 

Graduate Certificate
4 Units

Or continue studying

Masters Degree
+ 4 Units

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A typical study period at SCU Online
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Typical study period timeline

Next study period

May
2024

Applications close in

44 days

Speak to an Enrolment Advisor to find out more.

Our study periods: Jan, Mar, May, July, Aug, Oct

Late applications may be considered under special circumstances up until the start of O'Week. For more information please speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor.

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Entry requirements
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To qualify for entry to the online Graduate Certificate in Education, specialising in Inclusion and Diversity, you must have:

  • four-year Bachelor degree in Education from any Australian university or equivalent; OR
  • an undergraduate degree and a fourth-year level teaching qualification from any Australian university or equivalent; OR
  • a three year Bachelor degree in Teaching from any Australian University, or equivalent.

In either case, students need to be proficient in English. 

Find out more about Rules Relating to Awards and Specific Award Rules

We recognise and grant credit for past education or qualifications in a process called advanced standing (recognition of prior learning). If you're eligible for advanced standing, this can impact the number of units you need to study, reducing the time and cost of your overall degree. 

Find out more about applying for advanced standing

Ready to take the next step in your career? It's your time.

At Southern Cross University Online, we've helped thousands of people with real lives and real ambition to realise their goals and dreams by supporting them every step of the way.
     
We provide affordable courses, flexible learning and excellent student support, so you can achieve the impossible and make the most out of your time. 
     
It’s time to put yourself first. Follow your ambition. 

When you study online with SCU, you're not on your own. We're connected, together. 

Our teachers, academics and education designers have built these courses for people like you. Before commencing study, your dedicated Student Success Advisor will be in touch by phone, email or chat to help you plan your schedule. As you work towards your dream of achieving your degree, your advisor works like an extra pair of eyes and ears with support, advice and motivation throughout your study journey. 

 

scu ssa at his desk.

Our Accreditations & Endorsements

Australian Qualifications Framework logo

Our online programs meet all of the AQF guidelines, ensuring quality education.

Good Universities Guide Logo

5-STAR Rating for Full-Time Employment, Overall Experience, Student Support, Learning Resources, Teaching Quality and Skills Development.

The World Universities Rankings logo

Southern Cross University is one of the world's Top 200 Young Universities.

Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching logo

Our postgraduate student support and satisfaction both above the national average.

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What our students say
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Dallas-MED testimonial
SCU online MED graduate Dallas.

All of the education subjects were highly applicable. The assignments were designed in a way that each student could focus on their own school or workplace. The general way each assignment worked was to analyse a particular element of the school and present improvements. In my mind, that's exactly the sort of thing a Principal does and what I aspire to.

Dallas Young

Online M.Ed (Educational Leadership) graduate

Julia-MED testimonial
SCU online MED student Julia.

I believe that the MA in Education has enhanced and improved my skills and I believe I can confidently get a position as a school leader.

Julia Mpoumpis

Online M.Ed (Educational Leadership) student

Aleasa-MED testimonial

The content within the course directly relates to my professional life so I use this time to re-read prescribed texts, research or articles that will help to develop my understanding of the unit as well as develop me professionally. I think it is important to model lifelong learning to my staff and students and this is one way in which I can do that.

Aleasa Brink

Online M.Ed graduate and Primary School Principal

Bethany-MED testimonial
SCU online MED student Bethany smiling and standing in a school classroom

I really enjoyed the unit focusing on positive leadership styles and have actually used some of that knowledge to teach my students about different leadership styles in the workplace.

Bethany McQueen

Online M.Ed (Educational Leadership) graduate

Career Outcomes

There are endless opportunities for continued professional development in a higher education setting for education professionals. At Southern Cross University, our contribution to teacher education and to the profession of teaching that stretches back almost 50 years. Our online postgraduate courses in education have been designed by academics with a wealth of experience and are delivered to students in an innovative learning environment that's intuitive to use and made for digital learning. 

In particular, the Graduate Certificate in Education specialising in Inclusion and Diversity is for education professionals, both teachers and principals, looking to progress their careers with postgraduate study that offers the skills, knowledge and confidence to adopt inclusive pedagogy and utilisation of class level good practices and what is needed for a whole-school approach to inclusive education to provide and create access to equitable learning opportunities.

If you successfully complete your certificate of education, you can apply to a Master of Education and gain advanced standing for the units already completed.  Our Master of Education students work in a variety of educational contexts around Australia. Below is a snapshot of some of these roles and jobs. 

  • Deputy Head of School
  • Lead Teacher
  • High School Teacher
  • Principal 
  • Primary School Teacher
  • Education Consultant

 

  • Classroom Teacher
  • Assistant Principal
  • Community Wellbeing Coordinator
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Course Coordinator
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Meet our Course Coordinator

David Lynch is a world renowned researcher and innovator in the areas of teacher education, whole of school teaching improvement and school leadership. Early research endeavours focused on investigations into the rationale, content and delivery mechanisms for initial teacher education where new programs were developed and which form the basis on modern day teacher education programming. His work moved into ‘in-service teacher education’ and since 2012 whole of school teaching improvement. Current research is focused on understanding the life cycle of whole of school teaching improvement programs and the key role played by the school leader.

The central research interest is investigating what school leaders do to ‘ready’ their staff for such agendas and correspondingly what constitutes the development and implementation of effective and practical models that aid leaders in implementation. With this focus in mind, his research strategy has been to work with a school/ schooling system, and through collaboration seek to test propositions that are of interest and concern to the school and fitting for education system improvement. The context of such is an evolving and growing set of funded research projects. These research projects ($4m, 22 books and 100+ papers) have focused on education in RRR areas of Australia, Mathematics Education; School Leadership, leadership readiness, Whole of School Teaching Improvement and Blended Learning. Research projects have occurred in education systems including within Australia, Norway, Japan and the UK. In early career David was a State School principal in Queensland starting off in a one teacher school in remote Queensland before progressing to a large complex primary school on the Sunshine Coast. 

David Lynch