Graduate Certificate in Special Education

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Special Education will be able to: 

1. Critically analyse the characteristics, strengths, challenges, and unique educational needs of diverse learners in special education contexts, evaluating theoretical frameworks, policies, and historical evolution of inclusive education practices and cultures.
2. Design comprehensive, personalised support plans for learners in special education contexts that incorporate evidence-based and data-driven pedagogical approaches, instructional strategies, accommodations, assistive technologies, and culturally sensitive approaches to maximise student engagement, participation, and academic success.
3. Formulate effective collaboration and culturally-sensitive communication strategies with multidisciplinary stakeholders to facilitate genuine participation, address barriers to education, and advocate for principles of equity and social justice in special education.
4. Synthesise strategies and develop professional expertise to identify, nurture, and support the unique talents, abilities and educational needs of gifted, twice exceptional, and diverse learners, ensuring appropriate challenges, accommodations, and strengths-based approaches that address culturally sensitive adjustments where necessary.
5. Interpret and apply current policies, legislation, research, and international evidence related to special education to critique assessment practices and reasonable adjustments for inclusive special education contexts.

Do you work with or wish to work with students with special needs within primary, secondary and special schools? This program offers an evidence-based approach to equip you with the essential specialist knowledge and skills to engage with school staff and parents to better support the learning and behaviour of students with special needs.

Although this program does not qualify you as a teacher, it will be attractive to those already working with, or who wish to work with, students with special needs within a school setting. An evidence-based approach will equip you with essential specialist knowledge and skills to engage with school staff and parents in order to better support the learning and behavior of a diverse range of students with special needs.

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Special Education (GCertSpEd), a student must acquire 40 credit points, made up of:

• 40 credit points for the Foundation module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,500

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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QS Ranking 2024:

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

20

To be eligible for admission to this Graduate Certificate program, applicants must have:

• any Bachelors degree (or higher) in any discipline OR  
• 2 years full-time work experience in a relevant field of education (e.g., early childhood, K-12 schools, higher education, adult education). This will be assessed on the applicant's CV and a letter from the applicant's employer (no older than 2 years) which details the applicant's experience, skills, and knowledge in the field of education related to their current, or no older than the last 2 years employment. 

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.