Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education)
OP7037
This programme provides a specific pathway for those who do not hold an existing degree qualification but are able to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge that will enable to them to become a successful technology teacher. Applicants must hold a relevant trades qualification at Level 5, 6 or 7 on the NZQF, or a recognised equivalent or applicants who hold a relevant trades qualification at Level 4 may apply for the alternative entry pathway.
Availability
Our distance learning courses are offered throughout the year to help you fit study around your work and life commitments.
Courses are offered up to 12 times per year depending on demand and availability of academic staff.
Exact start dates are in the course information pages and in our Enrolment dates page:
Cost
- Course costs can be found on all course pages. The fees may increase annually.
- Qualification cost – to give you an idea of how much a qualification may cost in total over the duration of your studies, an approximate cost is provided for many of our qualifications. This is based on the required number of courses to complete the qualification and the average cost of those courses. It does not include annual administration fees, text books and course materials or external exam fees, and is subject to annual course fee increases.
Credits
Courses are assigned credits depending on how much time and effort is needed to complete their learning outcomes. In general, each credit represents approximately 10 hours of study time.
Delivery method
- Online – The course materials for online courses are delivered in an online format and all assignments are submitted online.
- Mixed – These courses are delivered using a mix of online and paper based course materials. This may include receiving paper course materials, submitting assignments online, or being required to participate in online forums and learning activities.
- Print Only - The course will be delivered using paper based courses materials, and assignments may need to be submitted in hard copy rather than online. This will depend on the course.
Whether courses are delivered online, on paper or a mixture of both, there may also be components such as workshops, noho marae, work experience and practicum to participate in. To find out what your course involves check the course information page.
EFTS
EFTS stands for equivalent full-time student. An EFTS is the study time required for each course and is used by the Tertiary Education Commission to decide if a course is part-time or full-time.
One year of full-time study is generally between 0.8 and 1.2 EFTS.
Level
You can tell how hard a course or qualification is by the level it is set at:
- Levels 1-4 are about the same as secondary school and basic trades training.
- Levels 5-7 are the same as university study.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisites are courses that must be completed before another course can be studied.
- Co-requisites are courses that can be studied at the same time as another course.
If a course has a specific prerequisite or co-requisite course, it will be listed on the course page under the title 'Prerequisites'. If no courses are listed, check the entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying for. Some courses require you to have studied at a particular level prior to enrolling.
Student loans
Not all qualifications or students are eligible for student loans. You will need to meet criteria such as studying a minimum number of credits over a specific study period. It is up to you to apply for a student loan via StudyLink - Open Polytechnic does not do this for you.
Information about student loans and eligibility
Teaching weeks
Teaching weeks is the number of weeks that we teach a course. This differs from the enrolment period, which is based on the course start and end dates.
For example, a 20-week enrolment period will have 16 teaching weeks, followed by four weeks to accommodate marking, any extensions and reassessments, or exams.
Workload
The workload estimate given on a course page is calculated like this:
Number of credits x 10, divided by the number of teaching weeks for the course. The hours will be rounded up to nearest whole number.
Please note, this is a guide only. You may need more or less time for study, and you may also need to do more hours during assessment due dates or exams times.
-
Level7
-
Credits150
-
Cost$7,717 NZ Domestic
Not including any course materials or external exam fees.
-
Student loan
Available.
In addition, they must be able to demonstrate at least 3 years of work experience over the last 10 years, that is relevant to teaching technology subjects.
The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) is to equip ākonga with a recognised, flexible, and applied teaching qualification in the secondary technology education context.
Practical courses connect theory with practice and are strongly aligned with sector needs to ensure work-ready graduates equipped with skills and knowledge required for teaching positions or for further study at postgraduate level.
Enrolment Information for new learners
Please note: Enrolments for February for new learners have now closed. We are enrolling for September 2025
What you will Learn
Graduates of this programme will be able to:
- Apply in-depth understanding and knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi, te Reo Māori and tikanga Māori in secondary technology education settings to support Māori learners to enjoy educational success as Māori
- utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with rangatahi, their parents, families and whānau, as well as colleagues, stakeholder professionals and external organisations;
- utilise current research and critical reflection to analyse effective practices to continually improve design for learning and teaching during practicum in a secondary technology education setting;
- apply professional learning and collaboration within and beyond their secondary technology education setting;
- apply academic literacies to communicate industry knowledge and skills for teaching technology.
Teacher Registration
Once you have successfully completed this programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration and a practising certificate to begin your teaching career in New Zealand. A Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is the first practising certificate you will hold. For New Zealand trained teachers, a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate is issued or renewed for three years.
For more information please visit this link:
Teaching Council of New Zealand, Applying for a Tōmua | Provisional Practising Certificate
Partner School
Following the completion of the initial courses, ākonga will require the support of an approved partner school in order to continue with this programme. Open Polytechnic can assist with acquiring this support.
Full time ākonga will spend two full days in a partner school each week while part-time ākonga will spend one full day in a partner school each week (in addition to practicum). These days are decided between the ākonga and the school, and ākonga are expected to attend between 9am and 3pm as a minimum. There are 40 days in total across this programme.
A Mentor Teacher will guide you in a range of learning experiences and school-based tasks designed to develop your teaching practice alongside qualified kaiako. This time in school ensures you have the opportunity to directly connect theory (online learning) with practice (what you experience in schools). You are expected to contribute to the mahi of your partner school, based on your areas of skill or interest. This could be in areas such as performing arts, sports, languages and culture, etc.
If you have an existing relationship with a school (you already work there, or are well known to them), please approach them to seek candidate support for your application. Schools are busy places, so please contact them first to make an appointment. When you are in discussions with the school, please email or bring them a copy of this School Placement Information. This document includes the following:
- Partner School Letter: This letter explains why you are approaching the school for support.
- Programme Leaflet: This gives the school an overview of the programme and details the responsibilities required by the school.
- Candidate Support Form: Schools should complete and return this form to confirm their support.
We suggest you give yourself plenty of time to do this before the application close-off date.
If you do not have an existing relationship with the school, please do not approach a school directly, rather indicate this on the pre-enrolment check (also linked in the ‘Choose courses and apply’ tab).
Career Opportunities
This programme leads to employment in secondary education and other teaching settings, and related professions.
It is a recognised initial teacher education qualification for the purposes of meeting the requirements for application to register as a teacher with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Programme delivery
You will access courses online with academic support from academic staff members. Contact with academic staff and other students will occur via iQualify talk channels, at noho marae and during practicums over the course of your study.
You will also engage in separate online tutorials delivered by educators who are experienced secondary subject specialists. These group tutorials ensure you are able are to develop the teaching skills and pedagogy related to your specific subject areas.
Ākonga completing the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education) begin the programme by completing:
- EDU632 Communicating Technology for Teachers
- EDU738 Technology Processes for Teachers
Completing these courses first ensures ākonga are able to apply their existing skills and knowledge to the principles and practices of technology as it is conceptualised and taught in New Zealand.
Noho marae
Ākonga participate in one compulsory noho marae (overnight stay) during the programme. Noho are held in 4 or 5 centres across the country. Ākonga will have an opportunity to connect with local tikanga and kawa (marae protocols and Māori practices), and te reo Māori.
For ākonga enrolled in Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Education, below are the details for noho marae offered in 2025 as confirmed to date. Please note that while these dates and venues are confirmed, a change might occasionally be required:
First half of the year
- 29-30 March 2025: Ōrongomai Marae, Upper Hutt
- 5-6 April 2025: Puketeraki Marae, Dunedin
- 12-13 April 2025: Wairewa Marae, Christchurch
- 10-11 May 2025: NorthTec Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae, Whangārei
- 24-25 May 2025: Te Ohaaki Marae, Huntly
Second half of the year
- 19-20 July 2025: Ōrongomai Marae, Upper Hutt
- Date TBC: Te Ohaaki Marae, Huntly
- 2-3 August 2025: Puketeraki Marae, Dunedin
- 23-24 August 2025: Ōnuku Marae, Christchurch
- 6-7 September 2025: Te Whetu o te Rangi Marae, Tauranga
If you enrol in Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Education for September or October 2025 you will not be able to complete the course until after the course end date. You will be awarded a Grade Pending result until you have attended a noho marae in the March - May 2026 period.
Practicum
During this programme you will complete two full-time 8-week practicums. At these times, you are expected to be at school before 8:30am and to be available until 4pm each day. Only one of these may be completed at your partner school. You will be guided by an Associate Teacher as you engage with tamariki, whānau, and the wider school community.
During practicum, you will be supported to make progress towards specific Key Teaching Tasks. Towards the end of your practicum, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your progress and ability to meet the Standards for the Teaching Profession (in a supported environment).
Maximum Programme Completion Time
To be awarded the qualification, the programme must be completed in no more than 3 years of first enrolment, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Availability
Our distance learning courses are offered throughout the year to help you fit study around your work and life commitments.
Courses are offered up to 12 times per year depending on demand and availability of academic staff.
Exact start dates are in the course information pages and in our Enrolment dates page:
Cost
- Course costs can be found on all course pages. The fees may increase annually.
- Qualification cost – to give you an idea of how much a qualification may cost in total over the duration of your studies, an approximate cost is provided for many of our qualifications. This is based on the required number of courses to complete the qualification and the average cost of those courses. It does not include annual administration fees, text books and course materials or external exam fees, and is subject to annual course fee increases.
Credits
Courses are assigned credits depending on how much time and effort is needed to complete their learning outcomes. In general, each credit represents approximately 10 hours of study time.
Delivery method
- Online – The course materials for online courses are delivered in an online format and all assignments are submitted online.
- Mixed – These courses are delivered using a mix of online and paper based course materials. This may include receiving paper course materials, submitting assignments online, or being required to participate in online forums and learning activities.
- Print Only - The course will be delivered using paper based courses materials, and assignments may need to be submitted in hard copy rather than online. This will depend on the course.
Whether courses are delivered online, on paper or a mixture of both, there may also be components such as workshops, noho marae, work experience and practicum to participate in. To find out what your course involves check the course information page.
EFTS
EFTS stands for equivalent full-time student. An EFTS is the study time required for each course and is used by the Tertiary Education Commission to decide if a course is part-time or full-time.
One year of full-time study is generally between 0.8 and 1.2 EFTS.
Level
You can tell how hard a course or qualification is by the level it is set at:
- Levels 1-4 are about the same as secondary school and basic trades training.
- Levels 5-7 are the same as university study.
Prerequisites
- Prerequisites are courses that must be completed before another course can be studied.
- Co-requisites are courses that can be studied at the same time as another course.
If a course has a specific prerequisite or co-requisite course, it will be listed on the course page under the title 'Prerequisites'. If no courses are listed, check the entry and other requirements under the qualification you are studying for. Some courses require you to have studied at a particular level prior to enrolling.
Student loans
Not all qualifications or students are eligible for student loans. You will need to meet criteria such as studying a minimum number of credits over a specific study period. It is up to you to apply for a student loan via StudyLink - Open Polytechnic does not do this for you.
Information about student loans and eligibility
Teaching weeks
Teaching weeks is the number of weeks that we teach a course. This differs from the enrolment period, which is based on the course start and end dates.
For example, a 20-week enrolment period will have 16 teaching weeks, followed by four weeks to accommodate marking, any extensions and reassessments, or exams.
Workload
The workload estimate given on a course page is calculated like this:
Number of credits x 10, divided by the number of teaching weeks for the course. The hours will be rounded up to nearest whole number.
Please note, this is a guide only. You may need more or less time for study, and you may also need to do more hours during assessment due dates or exams times.
-
Level7
-
Credits150
-
Cost$7,717 NZ Domestic
Not including any course materials or external exam fees.
-
Student loan
Available.
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Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary Technology Education)
OP7037
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