Professional development and short courses
- We offer a range of professional development courses.
- Find out more
Griffith Online
- Our online degrees are delivered 100% online, giving you control over where and when you study.
- Study 100% online
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Education enhances the life of every learner
As a teacher working in special education, your knowledge, skills and creative talents will focus on the capabilities, interests and learning styles of individual students. You'll be a learning specialist, teaching students with diverse needs in typical primary and secondary schools, and also in other settings such as special schools and education units. As a Griffith graduate in the field, your credentials will give you high standing and the advantage of exceptional employment opportunities at both primary and secondary school levels. In fact it's one of the few teaching areas with a 95 per cent employment rate of graduates over the last five years.
Study special needs education at Griffith
Our teachers are in high demand.
Griffith’s special and inclusive education degrees are benchmarks in Australia within this specialist teaching area. Final year students are often offered positions even before they officially graduate.
Working with people who have emotional or physical disabilities or learning problems, special education teachers require deep compassion and enormous patience. Your professional skills will be valued and appreciated by the community and bring you into contact with people of all ages.
Studying at Griffith, you’ll acquire the knowledge and experience to promote rich educational opportunities for all special needs students in a range of settings. You’ll learn how to achieve maximum learning outcomes for them, develop their positive communication skills, and build resilience through a supportive and inclusive classroom.
With the Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education, you’ll develop special education skills at an advanced level and acquire an understanding of the general principles and practices of educating students with special needs.
The Master of Special Needs and Intervention Education will equip you with the knowledge and skills to advance your professional career in special and inclusive education, including moving into leadership roles. At the masters level you will also develop research skills that will be applied to a research project in special and inclusive education.
Todd Winton
Griffith education graduate
As a learning diversity teacher working with students from Years 8 to 10, education graduate Todd Winton's role involves teaching small group classes and tailoring learning experiences to suit students' individual educational needs. 'My Griffith degree gave me the confidence and experience with a vast range of teaching practices,' he says. 'It also helped me develop a range of appropriate practices to improve student outcomes.'

Study options
Degrees | Campus | OP rank |
---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education | Online | |
Master of Autism Studies | Online | |
Master of Education | Gold Coast Mount Gravatt |
|
Master of Educational Studies | Mount Gravatt | |
Master of Special Needs and Intervention Education | Online |
It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.
Career outcomes
Qualifications that make a difference in children's lives
Griffith University has the highest education graduate success rates in Australia
Our graduates are in demand and your special education degree will qualify you to teach your chosen subjects in the independent, Catholic and state education systems in Queensland as well as overseas. You could choose to follow a different path and find satisfying employment opportunities in:
- Training settings in industry and government
- Environmental education
- Adult health education
- Student counselling
- Libraries
- Educational research
- Education policy
- Curriculum development
Life at Griffith
You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.

April 20, 2018
‘Devil’ in the details for Eugene’s video game success
Read more about ‘Devil’ in the details for Eugene’s video game success
Key dates
Monday 5 February — Friday 21 December
Ongoing Q&A sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more
Monday 26 February — Saturday 23 June
Trimester 1
Our first teaching trimester starts on Monday 26 February 2018 . Trimester 1 examinations run from Saturday 9 to Saturday 23 June.
Tuesday 1 May — Tuesday 1 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Lismore
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Wednesday 2 May — Thursday 3 May
Gold Coast Careers Festival
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Gold Coast Careers Festival to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Thursday 3 May — Sunday 6 May
VCE and Careers Expo - Melbourne
Visit the Griffith University stand at the VCE and Careers Expo in Melbourne to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Wednesday 9 May — Wednesday 9 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Townsville
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM . Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Thursday 10 May — Thursday 10 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Cairns
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Friday 11 May — Saturday 12 May
Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Monday 14 May
Pathways to Medicine Information Evening - Gold Coast campus
What you need to know to maximise your chances of gaining a place to study Griffith's Doctor of Medicine.
Tuesday 15 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Toowoomba
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Tuesday 15 May
Mature Student Open Evening - South Bank campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Tuesday 15 May
Pathways to Medicine Information Evening - South Bank campus
What you need to know to maximise your chances of gaining a place to study Griffith's Doctor of Medicine.
Thursday 17 May
Mature Student Open Evening - Gold Coast campus
If you’re considering returning to university for postgraduate study, or starting for the first time, come along to a Griffith University Mature Student Open Evening to speak to our specialist advisers about pathways to study and support for non-school leavers and mature age students. Find out more
Monday 21 May — Friday 25 May
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more
Tuesday 22 May
Parent and Student Advice Night - Nathan campus
Tour the campus and get personal study and subject selection advice with our expert study advisers at this informative on-campus event. Meet current Griffith students and their parents and hear about their experiences of the transition from school to university. Find out more
Thursday 24 May
Parent and Student Advice Night - Gold Coast campus
Tour the campus and get personal study and subject selection advice with our expert study advisers at this informative on-campus event. Meet current Griffith students and their parents and hear about their experiences of the transition from school to university. Find out more
Tuesday 29 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Mackay
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Wednesday 30 May
Future-proof your career - The Griffith STEM Roadshow - Rockhampton
Learn how you can future-proof your career with study in STEM. Hear from Griffith lecturers, researchers and students about Griffith programs and how you can prepare yourself for the careers of the future. Find out more
Tuesday 19 June
Discover Griffith - Nathan campus
Join us at our Nathan campus for a fun and informative day with family and friends. You'll have the opportunity to tour our campus with a student ambassador, hear from program staff about your preferred degree and chat with our recruitment team about entry requirements and pathways to Griffith.
Thursday 21 June
Discover Griffith - Gold Coast campus
Join us at our Gold Coast campus for a fun and informative day with family and friends. You'll have the opportunity to tour our campus with a student ambassador, hear from program staff about your preferred degree and chat with our recruitment team about entry requirements and pathways to Griffith.
Monday 9 July — Saturday 20 October
Trimester 2
Our second teaching trimester starts on Monday 9 July . Trimester 2 examinations run from Saturday 6 to Saturday 20 October.
Saturday 21 July — Sunday 22 July
TSXPO (Tertiary Studies Expo)
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Tertiary Studies Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Tuesday 24 July
Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Sunshine Coast Daily Careers and Employment Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Monday 6 August
Townsville Careers Expo
Visit the Griffith University stand at the Townsville Careers Expo to find out about your study options, how to apply and university life. Find out more
Sunday 12 August
OPEN DAY - Nathan, Gold Coast and South Bank campuses
Discover what's possible at Griffith at Open Day. Visit our Gold Coast, Nathan or South Bank campus to attend information sessions and activities, chat with academics about your preferred degree, find out about services and support, and tour our campuses. Find out more
Monday 17 September — Friday 28 September
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more