Griffith University’s reputation as a leader in teacher education and applied theatre has been strengthened with the Faculty of Education reporting increased applications in the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre’s major offer round.
First preferences in the Graduate Diploma of Education – Secondary have increased substantially at both Mt Gravatt and Gold Coast campuses.
Associate Professor Glenn Finger (Acting Dean, Faculty of Education) said there were shortages of teachers in some areas of secondary schooling such as mathematics, science, computing and industrial design and technology.
“Therefore, graduate prospects for employment are strong for high quality graduates in these areas,” he said.
Applications for Primary teaching continue to be popular with a substantial increase in applicants for the Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the Gold Coast campus.
The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Theatre, also offered by the Faculty of Education, has increased significantly in first preferences. Applied Theatre has a wide appeal for those who want to work in theatre-related industries as well as being a pathway to teaching in schools via a one-year Graduate Diploma in Education.
“This increased demand for places provides strong evidence that teaching is being seen as an attractive profession by prospective quality applicants,” Associate Professor Finger said.
“Education is being appropriately recognised of its importance by Governments and the community, as quality teaching improves the life prospects of young Australians, and is central to Australia’s productivity agenda.
“The recently announced increases in Queensland teachers’ starting salaries which will see graduate teachers the highest paid in the country in July 2011, is also going to strengthen this attractiveness and recognition.”
Early Childhood Education Convenor Associate Professor Bev Fluckiger said the Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood was offered at both the Mt Gravatt and Gold Coast campuses.
“There’s a growing demand for professionally accredited early childhood teachers as a result of the Federal Government’s Early Childhood Reform Agenda and the high priority which the Queensland Government has placed on developing the early childhood education workforce.”
She said it was not too late for applicants to continue to apply for these programs.