Postgraduate certificates provide the opportunity for continuing professional development in the same area as an original degree. Postgraduate certificates are available to graduates who wish to build on an earlier degree, and who have appropriate practical, professional or scholarly experience. Some are available only on a part time basis. Waikato University offers specialist postgraduate certificates as well as postgraduate certificates. The Postgraduate Certificate comprises a minimum of 60 points at 500 level or above. Education The study of education encompasses a broad range of options that reflect the far-reaching nature of the field. Educationists are interested in how knowledge, skills and values are constructed, accumulated, and conveyed through formal and informal means. Subjects 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 Whariki – the Early Childhood curriculum. It's an integrated programme with seven major themes: bicultural development; cultural diversity; equity and social justice; inclusion; parents and whanau; 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. Teaching (Secondary) As a graduate of this programme you will be among the best prepared teaching graduates and highly regarded by education employers, within NZ 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. Teaching (Māori Medium/Te Kaupapa Arareo Māori) Te Kura Toi Tangata Faculty 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. 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. 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.