Advance your career in adult and tertiary education with the New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching (Level 5). Gain the skills and capabilities to deliver high-quality, contemporary, and culturally appropriate teaching and learning across various educational or training settings.
This qualification serves as the standard baseline for professional adult and tertiary teaching practitioners.
18 weeks full time
Up to 5 years part-time
Intakes are 18 weeks long
TBC
Zero Fees Scheme
International Fees
$100 per credit
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This qualification is intended for individuals aspiring to or engaged in a career in adult, tertiary or vocational teaching or training who have a qualification or equivalent experience in their trade, vocation or other primary discipline. It represents the expected sector baseline qualification for a professional adult and tertiary teaching practitioner.
Graduates of this qualification have the skills and capabilities to provide high quality, contemporary and culturally appropriate teaching and learning in a range of teaching or training contexts.
By the end of the program, you'll be able to:
Note: This qualification moved to Version 2 in 2024. If you completed any unit standards towards this qualification prior to 2023 you may be able to have these credited towards completion of this version of the qualification. For further information about this, please contact the Programme Administrator at SIT Online Admin.
To gain this qualification you will need to complete all of the following courses (60 credits).
Throughout these courses you will also complete 60 hours of work-integrated learning in an adult or tertiary teaching setting. To meet this requirement, you must have access to a minimum of 6 adult learners (e.g. over the age of 18) over the duration of the programme of study in order to undertake learning and reflection in an authentic setting. Please read through the following information to understand the requirements for access to adult learners/classroom environment and other adult education stakeholders in each paper.
CVTT521 Learner centred practice (20 credits)
This course introduces you to the strategies which promote awareness of, and respect for, cultural diversity and literacy needs in adult education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn to design and implement learner-centred activities and evaluate learning and teaching strategies to improve practice, enabling you to be an effective facilitator of learning in your teaching context.
Assessments: This paper has four assessments, including developing two lessons plans of no less than one hour each in duration. You need to deliver these lessons, and they also need to be observed by a suitably qualified or experienced person. Other assessments cover evaluation of inclusive teaching and learning strategies, and factors that impact the implementation and outcomes of the lesson.
Note: CVTT521 is also part of the NZ Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy Education (Vocational/Workplace) (Level 5) qualification. You would need to complete one further (20 credit) course to gain this qualification.
CVTT522 Teaching approaches for learner success (10 credits)
This course enables you to consider and incorporate a variety of teaching and learning approaches tailored to your specific Aotearoa New Zealand context, and how to assess the effectiveness of these approaches and strategies. Leveraging learning technologies and fostering inclusive feedback mechanisms, you will learn to design teaching that ensures optimal learning experiences for learners of varying abilities and promoting continuous growth and engagement within diverse adult educational settings.
Assessments: This paper has two assessments, including developing two lessons plans of no less than one hour each in duration for a group of learners. A group is considered to be at least 4 learners which allows you to fully consider learner diversity within your context. You will also need to discuss teaching and learning models and approaches appropriate for your teaching context and evaluate the delivery of these lessons (including the teaching and learning models and approaches, feedback, and learning technologies).
CVTT523 Assessment and moderation (15 credits)
This course will enable you to evaluate and improve assessment design and assessment practices within your Aotearoa New Zealand context, including moderation process, providing feedback, and consideration of assessment constructive alignment.
Assessments: This paper has three assessments including designing assessments, discussion of moderation types and processes, and undertaking moderation of an assessment task. You will also need to evaluate methods for giving feedback to enhance learning, including examples of feedback you have given in your own teaching and learning context.
CVTT524 Perspectives on teaching & learning (15 credits)
In this course you will learn to evaluate personal and professional influences that foster a professional identity rooted in reflective practice and continuous growth. You will also learn how to integrate diverse frameworks that embed essential literacy and numeracy skills across varied Aotearoa New Zealand contexts and embrace the principles of universal design for learning to tailor your teaching methods to accommodate diverse learners.
Assessments: This paper has three assessments that cover evaluating personal and professional influences on your teaching and learning practice (including keeping a reflective journal of your teaching practice and seeking feedback from different stakeholder groups) and designing learning activities that support ākonga with appropriate skills to complete industry related literacy and numeracy tasks. You will also need to facilitate a lesson where you use these tasks.
Note: This qualification has now moved to Version 2. If you are an existing student and have any questions regarding transitioning from Version 1, please contact your programme manager.
Graduates of this qualification may work in roles such as:
Applicants for this programme of study must have access to adult learners (e.g. over the age of 18) over the duration of the programme of study in order to enable them to undertake learning and reflection in an authentic setting.
General AdmissionApplicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age and must have attained either:
Any ākonga who do not meet the above criteria may be eligible for consideration for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the focus is on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
English Language Requirements
All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.
International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/
Ākonga who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
International applicants should contact the SIT International team for advice.
Studying online at SIT
Once you are enrolled, your course materials, assessments and due dates will be available through Blackboard, SIT's online learning environment. You will have access to your course materials from the start date of your intake.
Students are required to use their SIT email for SIT Online communications. Once you have been accepted into a programme, you will receive an Important Information Booklet with guidance to help you get familiar with Blackboard.
Staying in contact with your Facilitator
During your intake, you can contact your Facilitator by email. Facilitators aim to respond within 2 working days.
Within the first 1-2 weeks of your intake, you need to email your Facilitator to confirm that you have started your studies. If you have not contacted your Facilitator or started your course by the end of the second week, you may be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme.
This may affect your future access to the Zero Fees Scheme, and you will still be responsible for Student Direct Material Costs.
Results and transcripts
After each intake, check your results through MySIT.
Once you successfully complete your programme, you will receive an official academic transcript, which will be posted to you.
If you're new to SIT Online, we also recommend reading the FAQs for more information about studying and enrolling online.
Study load
Full-time study
For StudyLink purposes, the minimum study load considered full-time depends on the length of your intake:
Part-time study*
If you plan to study part time, consider your work, family and other commitments when choosing your study load.
As a guide, we recommend:
These are guidelines only. The right study load will depend on your individual circumstances.
*Your eligibility and maximum duration you have to complete your qualification part-time is subject to change, enquire to confirm.
How much study time should I allow?
As a guide, one credit is approximately 10 hours of study.
Use the Study Load Calculator to help work out a manageable study load based on your commitments.
Important enrolment information
Cross credits and previous study
If you have completed relevant previous study or have applicable prior learning, you may be eligible for cross credit, credit transfer or recognition of prior learning.
See the SIT information on cross credits, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning for eligibility and application details.
Check our current information on cross credits, credit transfers and recognition of prior learning for eligibility and application details.
Before you apply
Please read the Information on this page before starting your application. Your application will be assessed based on the information and supporting documents you provide.
Missing information or documents may delay your application.
Application checklist (once you click “Enrol”)
Before submitting your application, check that:
For Level 3 programmes: You will be required by the Tertiary Education Commission to complete at least one literacy and one numeracy assessment as part of your studies.
New students
You will also need to:
Zero Fees Scheme | What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
Under the Zero Fees Scheme, SIT does not charge tuition fees. You will still need to pay the applicable Student Direct Material Cost and a non-refundable administration fee.
The Student Direct Material Cost provides access to Blackboard®, SIT's online learning environment, and student support services throughout your study.
Who qualifies?
The Zero Fees Scheme is available to:
If you are not eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme, call 0800 748 257 to discuss your options.
Submit your application
Complete the online application and attach all required supporting documentation.
Before submitting, check that the information you have provided is complete and accurate. Missing information or documentation may delay the processing of your application.
Any additional documentation can be emailed to sitonline@sit.ac.nz.
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Adult Tertiary Teaching (Level 5) and be awarded this qualification, the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.
This qualification may lead to Level 5 and above qualifications in adult and tertiary teaching. This may include:
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.