The Graduate Teaching Certificate in Comparative Primary Education (GTC-CPE) offers a pioneering approach to teacher education in the region. This one-year, 18-credit-hour program integrates comparative pedagogical theory and practice, drawing on Eastern, African, and Western traditions, grounded in an Islamic civilizational framework, preparing educators to teach with excellence, cultural sensitivity, and a global perspective.

Through an innovative blend of classroom learning, teaching practice, mentorship, and action research, students develop both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills essential for effective primary education. Graduates emerge as reflective practitioners capable of designing inclusive, research-driven, and developmentally appropriate teaching strategies aligned with Qatar’s National Qualifications Framework and international best practices.

Language

English

Program Duration

1 Year

Certification

Certificates

This GTC-CPE program combines theoretical knowledge with applied teaching practice. The curriculum focuses on key areas essential for primary educators, including:

  • Classroom Teaching Practice and Assessment: Applying comparative frameworks to create inclusive and effective pedagogical practices.
  • Curriculum Design: Developing research-based teaching materials with a comparative approach.
  • Classroom Leadership: Cultivating effective management strategies for diverse learning settings and learners’ needs.
  • Action Research: Strengthening empirical action research skills to inform and enhance educational practices.

Graduates of the GTC-CPE may pursue the MA in Comparative Education at HBKU, transferring 6 credits (two courses) toward one of three routes/concentrations: Curriculum Design, Assessment, and Technology; Educational Leadership; or No Concentration.

 

Key Features of the Program:

  • Comparative Pedagogical Approach: Encourages the synthesis of Islamic principles with diverse pedagogical models to foster holistic teaching practices and create dynamic and inclusive learning environments.
  • Alignment with Qatar’s Educational Standards: Ensures curriculum relevance by adhering to Qatar’s National Qualifications Framework (NQF) guidelines and national priorities.
  • Career Relevance: Designed to meet the growing demand for professionally qualified primary educators capable of addressing both local educational priorities and global challenges.
  • Hands-On Teaching Experience: Includes 150 hours of school-based practicum in schools, ensuring direct classroom experience and reflective professional growth.
  • Flexible Progression: Provides a clear pathway to the MA in Comparative Education at HBKU through transferable elective credits.
  • Language of Instruction: The main instruction language is English.

An 18-credit, one-year graduate certificate taught in English, that comprises:

  • Four core courses (12 credits)

    Course Title
    Learning and Teaching in Primary Schools: A Comparative Approach
    Comparative Leadership for Equitable Education: Inclusive Environments, SEN, and Classroom Management
    Evidence-Informed Practice: School-Based Inquiry (Primary)
    Teaching a Primary School Subject

  • A choice of two electives (6 credits) selected from four MA in Comparative Education courses (3 credits each)

    Course Title
    Child Development, Pedagogy, and Culture
    Creative Pedagogies: Play, Narrative, Inquiry, and Dialogue
    Comparative Curriculum Design and Assessment
    Technology in Teaching and Learning.

Applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Teaching Certificate in Comparative Primary Education should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0 out of 4.0 from any relevant field. Applicants with previous teaching experience are preferred.

Please refer to the following table for a summary of the admission criteria:

ProgramGraduate Teaching Certificate in Comparative Primary Education (GTC-CPE)
Required Field of StudyAll fields
Language ProficiencyIELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL: 79 Applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they provide an official letter confirming that they obtained their degree from a university where the medium of instruction is English.

To know more about the admission requirements, kindly visit the CIS Admissions.

 

Tuition Fees

Student Financial Information
ProgramGraduate Teaching Certificate in Comparative Primary Education (GTC-CPE)
Total Program Tuition FeesQAR 36,000
Tuition Fees per Credit HourQAR 2,000
Total Program Credit Hours18
Program Duration1 year

There are no scholarships available to international students for any of the CIS graduate certificate programs. All applicants need to be self-funded.