Education and training
What’s on offer for postgraduates?
Education and training postgraduate student profile
There are three kinds of postgraduate studies in education and training. They are:
- ‘career change’ programs for postgraduates wanting to become education professionals
- special studies for practising professionals in areas ranging from workplace education to early literacy
- postgraduate research degrees.
These categories blur in some masters programs and professional doctorates, which combine coursework with a research thesis or report.
Teachers are big consumers of postgraduate studies so enrolment numbers are high enough to support a vast range of postgraduate programs at a wide range of institutions. Most education and training programs are available part-time (a popular option for postgraduates) and some are offered via distance education as well. The challenge is to choose the right program at the right campus.
If you are going for the first type of program in order to qualify as a teacher, make sure you are going to get plenty of time to spend on practical learning in schools; there is no better way to ensure you are prepared for the realities of the classroom.
If you’re looking at postgraduate programs in the second group, you might find that many offer interesting pathways from education and training into some other careers. For example, there are a growing number of programs in workplace education which could take you into a human resources job and other specialisations ranging from adult education to career counselling which open up different options again. You might also consider study in an entirely different field. If, for example, you are considering postgraduate study in educational leadership, why not consider an MBA?
If you are going for the third option and are contemplating an education and training research degree remember to check out the strengths and weaknesses of possible supervisors.
The experience and rewards
Visit the University Ratings section for education and training course ratings or to see how education and training rates in the Fields of Study Compared table.
According to the national Course Experience Questionnaire survey, graduates give their study experience poor ratings, although the teaching quality rating is above average. Employment ratings are also average compared with other fields, with 16 per cent of graduates surveyed still seeking work four months after graduation, but industry bodies and anecdotal reports suggest that there are teacher shortages in certain disciplines and regions, particularly in rural areas. Graduate salaries are below average when compared with those in other fields at just around $64,000 per year.
For more information
There are many other fields which might appeal depending on the subjects you are interested in teaching or learning — anything from mathematics to creative arts .
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Sam Higgs — Graduate Diploma of Education |
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Why did you decide to pursue postgraduate studies?
How did you balance your study with other commitments?
Are you working in your chosen field?
How did you postgraduate qualifications assist you in getting a job? |
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