ECU introduced the Graduate Diploma in Teaching in 2024 for prospective primary and secondary educators to address the growing demand for teachers in Western Australia.
The one-year ‘Grad Dip’ is available to aspiring school teachers who have already completed a three-year degree in another field.
ECU coordinator of Secondary and Instrumental Music Education Dr Jason Goopy said the surge in enrolments was a clear indication of the strong appeal of the ‘Grad Dip’ for musicians aspiring to be school music teachers.
“This year the music education major and instrumental music education minor were the largest single subject areas in ECU’s postgraduate teacher education courses,” Goopy said.
He said the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) with a major in music suited students with significant previous tertiary study in music.
“It’s perfect for our Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Bachelor of Music graduates, but of course we also welcome students from other institutions locally and interstate,” he said.
“Our students range from graduates who have recently completed their bachelor degrees, to highly experienced instrumental tutors in schools now looking to gain a formal teaching qualification.”
ECU’S Executive Dean of Education Professor Caroline Mansfield said the number of new enrolments was good news for WA schools.
“As the largest provider of graduates to public schools in WA, we are dedicated to ensuring that future teachers experience quality initial teacher education, developing knowledge and skills to support success in the future,” Mansfiled said.
“It is exciting to see the appeal of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) for aspiring music teachers, and it doesn’t stop there,” she said.
“The number of students who have enrolled in postgraduate teacher education at ECU has increased across the board.”
Magdela Lisek is a new student for the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) with a major in music education, but is no stranger to ECU.
“I completed my Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) and Graduate Diploma (Opera) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA),” she said.
Lisek at present works as a school music tutor and is looking forward to gaining her formal teaching qualification.
“I want to share my passion for the art form and make music and musical knowledge more accessible,” she said.
ECU introduced the Graduate Diploma in Teaching in Semester 1, 2024, giving students the flexibility to graduate after one year and teach in WA with provisional registration.
During that time, students can choose to complete a second year towards ECU’s nationally accredited Master of Teaching through online self-paced study.
