Frequently asked questions
1. Why should I do the Graduate Certificate?
2. Who can do the program?
3. What does the program cost?
4. Where and when does the program take place?
5. Do I have to do the Graduate Certificate in one year?
6. Do I have to attend every session?
7. Do I receive formal certification that I have completed
the program?
8. Who do I call to ask more questions?
1 .Why should I do the Graduate Certificate?
The Graduate Certificate gives you a scholarly basis for your teaching and leads to a formal qualification in tertiary teaching. Participants say that the course helps them to plan and implement changes that lead to real improvements in student learning.
The first two units will develop your understanding of university teaching, learning, assessment and evaluation in the context of your own teaching and in light of the University of Sydney’s teaching and learning policies. In the second semester units, you will engage in scholarly inquiry and critical reflection in undertaking a group investigation or development project on teaching and completing a personal teaching portfolio.
Graduates from this course have been highly successful in winning University and national awards for excellence in teaching and have gone on to assume positions of leadership in teaching and learning within the university.
2. Who should do the course?
The graduate certificate is one of The University of Sydney’s main staff development strategies in the area of teaching and learning. Enrolment is open to any University staff member whose responsibilities include teaching.
The Graduate certificate is most suitable for members of staff who already have some experience in teaching and priority is given to those people. For those new to teaching, the Principles and Practice Program is most appropriate and is a pre-requisite to undertaking the graduate certificate. There are development programs for Sessional Staff, including Tutors, available in many faculties. The ITL’s Development Program for Research Supervision is specifically tailored for those primarily interested in postgraduate supervision.
Staff members must be Australian citizens or permanent residents to qualify to enrol in the Graduate Certificate course.
Those interested in undertaking the Graduate Certificate are advised to plan ahead to accommodate this in their workload. One option is to discuss this with your Head of Department in the context of your PMD.
3. What does the program cost?
The Graduate Certificate is actually a full fee-paying course but the course fees are waived for University staff. However, some other fees may have to be paid; for example, if you are not full-time staff of the university you will have to pay fees to SUPRA, the University's postgraduate association (unless you are already enrolled in another higher degree). Your department may be willing to contribute to these fees.
For all units of study in the Graduate Diploma and Masters program (other than the 4 core units of the Graduate Certificate) full fees will be charged by the Faculty of Education and Social Work.
A very few places in both programs are sometimes available for full fee-paying participants from outside the University. Please contact the ITL to enquire about this option.
4. Where and when does the program take place?
The Graduate Certificate class normally meets fortnightly on the Camperdown Campus. Details of the schedule can be found in the Graduate Certificate unit outlines and timetables.
5. Do I have to do the Graduate Certificate in one year?
We encourage people to complete the Graduate Certificate in one year, but it is possible to do it in two. There are two units of study in each semester and these are designed to be taken concurrently. After completing the Graduate Certificate you may decide to go on to complete a Graduate Diploma or Masters course in the Faculty of Education and Social Work - see the Graduate Handbook. Visit the faculty website to download the Graduate Handbook.
6. Do I have to attend every session?
Class meetings are scheduled roughly fortnightly during the semester. We understand that unavoidable commitments may occasionally prevent some people from attending every session. However the collaborative learning at these meetings is an essential part of the unit of study. Where participants are unable to attend a session they should notify the course administrator in advance and alternative learning activities are available on request.
7. Do I receive formal certification that I have completed the program?
When you have fulfilled the requirements for any unit of study in the Graduate Certificate you will receive an official transcript of your results for that unit, and when you have completed all units satisfactorily you will be entitled to graduate and to receive a testamur.
However, if you decide to pursue further study after completing the Graduate Certificate, you will not actually graduate. Instead, your 4 units of study will count towards a Graduate Diploma (6 units) or Masters (8 units).
8. Who do I call to ask more questions?
You can contact the ITL on 9351 3725 or email Kelly Hong (enrolments and administration).
