Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus)

The Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus) is a unique teacher education course developed specifically for educators in Pacific Island contexts.

The course offers three career pathways for graduates and is a gateway to completing further studies toward a Bachelor of Education (Pacific Focus).

This initial-teacher education qualification encompasses working with children in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education.

Course Aims

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to be effective two-year trained educators in Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education in the Pacific Island Context, demonstrating and applying in this context broad knowledge and skills relating to the seven elements prescribed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: know their students and how students learn; know their subject/content and how to teach that content to their students; plan for and implement effective teaching and learning; create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments; assess, provide feedback and report on student learning; continually improve by engaging in professional learning; and continually engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will have the broad theoretical and technical knowledge to effectively plan and deliver education in Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary school settings. They will understand the cultural contexts and global perspectives of both their own teaching discipline and schooling in general and the diversity of the student population. They will be able to demonstrate intercultural competence specifically as it relates to educational issues in the Pacific context. Communication Skills Graduates will be able to communicate clearly and coherently with students, colleagues, parents and other community members. Problem Solving Graduates will be able to demonstrate initiative and judgement in devising solutions to a variety of problems of different degrees of complexity. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of digital resources and tools and their safe, legal and ethical use, and be able to apply this knowledge in a school or workplace setting. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of social factors affecting educational outcomes, particularly those within the Pacific context, through their ethical conduct. They will demonstrate an understanding that their personal beliefs and actions impinge on others. Lifelong Learning Graduates will understand the importance of life-long learning and will be equipped with the skills to pursue professional and personal development. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to work independently and collaboratively with others to achieve educational and professional goals.