Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching is designed around specialist teaching as an interdisciplinary field of practice.
• It develops knowledge and skills that can be applied in diverse cultural contexts.
• UC describes the learning model as inquiry-based, with distance and other flexible learning options and opportunities to develop interprofessional communities of practice in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
• The programme includes practical experience through practicum courses, making it relevant for educators seeking specialist expertise rather than purely theoretical study.
• The qualification can be endorsed in four specialist areas: Complex Educational Needs, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Early Intervention, and Learning and Behaviour.
• UC currently states that the programme is not open to new enrolments, so these benefits apply to the qualification as currently described, but prospective students cannot presently start it through UC.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 120-point qualification consists of four courses, with the exact courses depending on the selected endorsement.

Complex Educational Needs:

• EDST601 – Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST651 – Theory and Foundations in Complex Educational Needs
• EDST652 – Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Complex Educational Needs
• EDST653 – Practicum in Complex Educational Needs

Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

• EDST601 – Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST621 – Theory and Foundations of Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• EDST622 – Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• EDST623 – Practicum in Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Early Intervention:

• EDST601 – Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST631 – Theory and Foundations of Early Intervention
• EDST632 – Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Early Intervention
• EDST633 – Practicum in Early Intervention

Learning and Behaviour:

• EDST601 – Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching
• EDST641 – Theory and Foundations of Learning and Behaviour Diversity
• EDST642 – Evidence-based Interprofessional Practice in Learning and Behaviour Diversity
• EDST643 – Practicum in Learning and Behaviour Diversity.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The four available endorsement areas listed by UC are:

• Complex Educational Needs
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Early Intervention
• Learning and Behaviour.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• Normally studied over 2 years part-time.
• Maximum part-time timeframe of 4 years.
• Inquiry-based learning.
• Distance and flexible learning options.
• Four specialist endorsement areas.
• Practical/practicum experience.
• Interprofessional practice.
• Focus on specialist education and diverse cultural contexts.
• Potential progression to UC's Master of Specialist Teaching is listed by UC.

Career Outcomes

UC does not publish a fixed list of occupations specifically guaranteed by this diploma. It states more generally that postgraduate study can provide specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, access to specific occupations, improved career progression, research capability and evidence of advanced academic attainment.

Given the programme's specialist areas, relevant professional pathways can include specialist educational roles involving:

• Complex educational needs
• Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners
• Early intervention
• Learning and behaviour support
• Specialist/interprofessional education services
• Educational and community settings.

International Student Visa Requirements

If UC reopens the programme to international enrolments, a student intending to study in New Zealand would generally need an Immigration New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for tuition or an approved scholarship.
• Evidence of living expenses and/or acceptable sponsorship.
• Appropriate health and travel insurance.
• Satisfactory health and character requirements.
• Evidence of genuine intentions to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand when required.