Apply now to start in Semester 2
The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) is offering Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for several of its postgraduate education programs for students that commence their studies in Semester 2, 2024. With a CSP, the amount that students pay is significantly less and students can access a HECS-HELP loan scheme to cover the cost of their student contribution.
Students can choose from a broad suite of postgraduate education programs such as a range of graduate certificates including Special and Inclusive Education, Religion, Wellbeing in Education, and Leadership and Management. These programs support graduates with career advancement or redirection, to pursue an interest or work towards leadership positions and international teaching opportunities.
NCEC spoke with two students who are benefiting from the program.
Jessica Uern is currently teaching at St Barbara’s Parish School, Roxby Downs in South Australia and is undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Education (Special and Inclusive Education). In her third term of teaching Jessica plans to do the course work online and part time to suit her lifestyle as a full-time teacher.
“I’ve always had an interest in supporting neurodiverse students, inclusive education, and behaviour management. When my principal approached me with the opportunity to study at UNDA and the benefits that came with it, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to further my knowledge in education,” Jessica said.
“I have felt nothing but support. The easy access to enrolment, the information provided and overall experience with Notre Dame so far has been easily accessible and consistent throughout. I am looking forward to putting the skills I’ve learnt throughout this course into my teaching practice, making my classroom an inclusive environment for all students.”
Catholic Education, Diocese of Port Pirie diocesan director Nichii Mardon said that staff in her diocese were invited to enrol in postgraduate CSP courses in Inclusive and Special Education, or a Grad Certificate in Mathematics.
“In Semester 2 this year we have six staff from Catholic schools in Roxby Downs, Port Pirie, Port Lincoln, Gladstone and Barmera enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Special and Inclusive Education. We have partnered with UNDA to provide customised support for these staff, nuanced to accommodate their regional contexts that are geographically extremely distant from each other,” Nichii said.
“All staff, and the work they do, is highly valued across our schools. I gratefully acknowledge the commitment of these staff to benefit their students’ learning, and their generosity and commitment to their own ongoing professional learning.”
“In partnership with UNDA, these teachers will have a customised welcome/orientation, and opportunity to collaborate to provide and receive collegial support from each other throughout this period of study. Their local school leaders will support them to fulfil course requirements and will provide opportunities for them to share their learning and insights with the whole staff.”
Catholic Education, Diocese of Port Pirie will be providing fee assistance to these staff to support their professional development.
Opportunities are also available for students commencing a postgraduate teaching qualification.
When Jack Isenbarger moved to Western Australia in 2018, it was to play and coach basketball professionally. The Indiana native was pursuing his dream in a sports career and Australia was providing that opportunity.
Little did he think at the age of 31 that he would have a change of career, and thanks to the UNDA’s CSP, Jack is now in his final semester of a two-year postgraduate study and will graduate from the university with a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education).
“I found UNDA provided an excellent educational experience for teaching with an emphasis on pre-service experiences (practicum) at a range of well-established schools in WA,” Jack said. “You essentially get to be in a classroom setting a lot faster than at many other universities. That really appealed to me, as it was an opportunity to get that affirmation that teaching was the right career for me.”
“The course has benefited me in three important ways. The theories behind teaching provide clear strategies to approach my personal pedagogy and teaching style. The course emphasises practical teaching experiences as a pre-service teacher in multiple schools, and it has allowed me to teach on a limited authority so that I can begin teaching professionally and see how schools operate in different sectors – Catholic, government and independent.”
For information about UNDA’s CSP Programs visit https://bit.ly/3VRuB4O
Contact the Prospective Students Office via future@nd.edu.au for course start dates and further information.
Applications to start in Semester 2, 2024 should be made directly via the Notre Dame website, notredame.edu.au.