Education

Along with subjects designed for students wanting to become teachers, the papers available in the subject Education provide opportunities for academic and professional development for those employed in the education sector. It is possible to plan a programme that is tailored to individuals' intellectual and/or professional needs.

Students who are not necessarily working in the education sector may wish to consider the subject Education and Society.

Subjects

Interested in becoming a teacher?

Teaching (Early Childhood)

Prepare yourself for a career working in a variety of childhood settings with children from birth up to six years old.
Gain theoretical and practical experience as you learn about all the aspects of Te Whāriki – the Early Childhood curriculum.

It's an integrated programme with seven major themes: bicultural development; cultural diversity; equity and social justice; inclusion; parents and whānau; transition to school; and infants and toddlers.

Teaching (Primary)

Prepare yourself for a career in primary, composite, intermediate and middle schools or kura, working with children from five to 13 years old.

You'll gain a solid foundation in all aspects of the New Zealand curriculum. You'll also learn about professional and ethical practices, child development, issues that face teachers and learners with special needs, teaching children from diverse backgrounds, classroom management, environmental education for sustainability, and the wider contexts of school, community and national systems.

On practicum, you'll take an active role in the classroom over several weeks in a school, under the guidance of an associate teacher. This includes a minimum of one day per week in the first year of your degree, a six-week block in second year and an eight-week block in third year.

Teaching (Secondary)

As a graduate of this programme you will be among the best prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within New Zealand and overseas.

You'll have the understanding, skills and academic requirements to be an early childhood, primary or secondary teacher.
You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practicing certificate, and after two years of full-time teaching be granted a full practicing certificate with the New Zealand Teaching Council.

Please note: We will not be offering new enrolments in the Bachelor of Teaching Secondary or Primary Conjoint  programme in 2020 - please contact us to talk about your study options at teach@waikato.ac.nz. An alternative pathway to becoming a Secondary School Teacher is to complete a relevant degree followed by a Graduate Diploma of Teaching.

Teaching (Māori Medium/Te Kaupapa Arareo Māori)

Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education is committed to the education and development of Māori medium teaching. This subject prepares students for teaching in English medium, bilingual (Māori and English) and Māori medium (total immersion) educational settings. We cater for students seeking support and teaching qualifications, teachers interested in professional development and researchers keen to contribute new knowledge.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato The University of Waikato and Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education has always had a strong affinity with Māori. Many of our graduates are now influential leaders in Māori education working in wānanga, universities, schools and government departments.

Bachelor of Social Sciences subjects with the School of Education

The School of Education Bachelor of Social Sciences is underpinned by a strong social justice perspective and is ideal for anyone wanting to make a difference in the lives of children and adults within family, education, community and/or workplace settings. It offers social science majors in areas such as Human Development, Education and Society and Digital Learning along with core papers on teaching and learning.

This degree will enable graduates to ensure that managing and promoting learning is not only the role of teachers, but parents, business people, salespeople, health professionals, and local and central government.

Education and Society

Education and Society today has close affinities with contemporary interdisciplinary fields exploring issues of social policy, culture, gender, work and leisure. Since education is as much concerned with who we might become as who we already are, it is relevant to all our collective and personal decision-making on questions of justice, rights and freedom.

Education and Society is available as a major for the BA and BSocSc. Education and Society may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

Human Development

The Human Development programme explores the development of individuals, families, groups and communities throughout the human lifespan. It is important for those wishing to go into professions such as youth work, eldercare, social work, counselling and teaching. An understanding of human development is relevant to many other careers that involve working with or for people.

Papers develop skills relevant to career objectives such as human relations, human services, programme planning, community liaison, counselling, policy and evaluation, administration of programs concerned with the family or other groups and research.

Digital Learning

Technology is now part of everyday life and is increasingly becoming part of our learning environments. With Digital Learning at Waikato you will develop an understanding of the importance it plays in education.

Digital Learning blends both technical and pedagogical skill sets. It builds knowledge of digital technologies for and in teaching and learning (pedagogical focus) and to develop understanding of teaching and learning which will encourage better design, development, deployment and evaluation of such technologies (technical focus). Digital Learning includes a range of papers from the education, computer science, screen and media, and graphic and design disciplines.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg)

Teachers are influential community members, making a difference to young people and their learning, knowledge and skill acquisition. They play a major role in helping their students develop their independence and success in their lives.

As a graduate of this programme you will be among the best prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within New Zealand and overseas. You'll have the understanding, skills and academic requirements to be an early childhood, primary or secondary teacher. You'll be eligible to apply for a provisional practicing certificate, and after two years of full-time teaching be granted a full practicing certificate with the New Zealand Education Council. 82% of recent teaching graduates are in employment.

Bachelor of Social Sciences(BSocSc)

The School of Education Bachelor of Social Sciences is underpinned by a strong social justice perspective and is ideal for anyone wanting to make a difference in the lives of children and adults within family, education, community and/or workplace settings. It offers social science majors in areas such as Human Development, Education and Society and Digital Learning along with core papers on teaching and learning.

Postgraduate study options

Master of Counselling (MCouns)

The Master of Counselling (MCouns) is established as a flagship degree that has seen 92% of graduates over the past six years gain successful employment.

The degree has specifically been designed for professional counsellors or supervisors interested in leadership roles within the New Zealand counselling profession.

The programme has a key teaching focus on providing experiences in which you can further develop your professional attitudes, knowledge and competencies in the areas of counselling, group leadership, mediation and practitioner research. You'll graduate with a high level of knowledge and understanding through the narrative practice this programme is known for.

Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies (MDInS)

The Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies examines the issues which produce various related social norms and sets out to produce practitioners who challenge them. The programme explores contemporary theories, methodologies and practices related to the broad field of disability and inclusion studies.

This programme is known for its grounding in a social justice model of inclusive community and educational practice and is relevant for a variety of professionals working in community organisations and schools, and those concerned with disability advocacy and rights.

Studying the Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies (MDInS) you'll gain a stronger understanding of social life and the differences between us, and challenge current approaches used in the education sector and beyond.

Master of Education (MEd)

The Master of Education is for educational practitioners who are graduates and want to improve their skills, knowledge and career prospects in Education. Developing skills in leadership in curriculum, pedagogy or policy development, the benefits include career advancement and the development of expertise in a specific area of educational practice.

Master of Educational Leadership (MEdLeadership)

Enhance your career prospects with a specialised programme that challenges you personally and professionally. Make a difference to the quality of education and create opportunities for your future leadership in education.

Work with academics who are internationally recognised for their leadership research and practice. Develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to be an effective educational leader.

Complete coursework at a pace that suits you – part-time while you work, or full-time over one calendar year.

Graduate Diploma of Teaching (GradDipT)

Prepare yourself for a career in secondary schools, working with young people aged 13-18 years old. The University of Waikato can prepare you for most curriculum subjects. There are currently shortages in English, maths, science, technology and te reo Māori.

This programme consists of eight compulsory papers (120 points, with 80 points at 300 level), including three curriculum subject papers, two teaching practicum and three Professional Education papers. Learn how to teach your curriculum areas and develop skills in teaching and learning.

Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning (PGCert(TertiaryT&L))

The Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning — PGCert(TertiaryT&L) — is a recognised qualification for staff working in tertiary education contexts who wish to extend their understanding of tertiary learning and teaching, improve their own practice and facilitate positive change in student learning across their courses and programmes or in their specific areas of work.