The Faculty of Education offers a range of courses in secondary teacher education which recognise in both their structures and their units the different contextual and registration requirements in each state. During 2000 and 2001 the secondary courses were re-structured into three principal areas of study: Education Foundation Studies, an Elective Sequence and Professional Studies. In structuring the courses, particular attention has been given to political and community pressure for increased discipline studies and content, and pedagogical-content knowledge in teacher education courses. This is reflected in the balance between Foundation and Professional Studies, all of which have been chosen so that they provide a sound professional basis for teacher education. The secondary teacher education courses at Australian Catholic University facilitate, within a Catholic Christian tradition, the development of reflective, educated, culturally aware and responsive individuals able to function effectively as beginning teachers in a variety of settings and who are committed to their continuing professional development.

The course has as its foundation the conviction that the quality of education in a society is closely associated with the preparation of teachers. Their professional expertise, attitudes and values equip them to develop in others sound knowledge, skills and values and a capacity and readiness to undertake responsibility in the community. Quality of education depends also on teachers being prepared to meet the challenge of continued growth in knowledge, accelerating technological development, social change and heightened community expectations.

Undergraduate Courses
Students entering the program without an Arts or Science degree, or approved equivalent, and who satisfactorily complete the course requirements receive the award of the combined degree of Bachelor of Teaching-Bachelor of Arts in New South Wales. There are currently no programs offered in the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland or Victoria for students without an Arts or Science degree or an approved equivalent.

Field Experience/Professional Experience
Field Experience/Professional Experience covers all school and community-based experiences designed to help students develop professional competence and personal commitment in accordance with the expressed Catholic philosophy of the University. The theoretical and methodological components of the program need practical application in a classroom setting in order to be refined and consolidated. To develop such application, a developmental approach to practical experience is linked with students’ expanding knowledge. Field Experience/Professional Experience units apply skills, techniques and processes taught in Foundation Studies, Elective and Professional Studies units. In some courses the field experience/professional experience unit is integrated with Teaching Studies units.

Field Experience 1 orients students to classroom teaching by emphasising professional inter-action, familiarisation and guided observation.

Field Experience 2 develops and extends basic teaching and learning skills.
Field Experience 3 is a student’s induction to full-time teaching.

International Experience
Students can obtain credit for international experiences equivalent to formal unit and Field Experience/Professional Experience requirements.

Admission
Bachelor of Teaching-Bachelor of Arts (New South Wales)
New South Wales Applicants under 21 years with Year 12

Applicants are normally assessed on the basis of performance in the best ten units presented at the New South Wales HSC examination. Students from states other than New South Wales applying for entry into a course in NSW should apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Students wishing to complete a Mathematics major study are assumed to have studied HSC 2u Mathematics or higher (not MIS or MIP). An achievement of at least 60 in 2u Mathematics is recommended. Students wishing to complete a Visual Arts major study are recommended to study HSC 2u Visual Arts.

Special Admission
There are also arrangements for applicants who have completed previous tertiary studies including TAFE qualifications (except for New South Wales), for non-Year 12 applicants, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Applicants whose educational qualifications do not satisfy the requirements for admission to the course but who have a sound and sufficient basis for application supported by documentation may be granted admission. Intending applicants should contact the Student Centre in the appropriate state for further details. Applicants to NSW courses apply to UAC and are assessed in competition with all other applicants.
Applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent and non-Year 12 applicants are specifically encouraged to apply.

Admission
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Indigenous Studies)
To be eligible for normal entry an applicant is to be an indigenous Australian who has successfully completed the New South Wales Higher School Certificate or equivalent, with proficiency in English and appropriate disciplines where required.

Applicants whose educational qualifications do not satisfy the requirements for admission to this course but who have a sound and sufficient basis for application supported by relevant documentation may be granted admission to the course if they satisfy the special entry criteria determined by Academic Board.

A personal interview is an essential part of the admission process for special entry applicants and all such applicants must submit two references.

Application should be made directly to the University. Contact the Yalbalinga Support Unit on (02) 9701 4261.

Graduate Entry Courses
The graduate pre-service courses in secondary teacher education at ACU National have been developed in response to the increasing minimum demands for professional training in education. The courses facilitate, within a Catholic Christian tradition, the development of reflective, educated, culturally aware and responsive individuals, able to function effectively as beginning teachers in a variety of settings and who are committed to their continuing professional development.

Students entering the program with an Arts or Science degree, or approved equivalent, and who satisfactorily complete the course requirements receive the award of Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) in New South Wales and Victoria, and the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Postgraduate) in Queensland.

Field Experience/Professional Experience
Field Experience/Professional Experience covers all school and community-based experiences designed to help students develop professional competence and personal commitment, in accordance with the expressed Catholic philosophy of the University. The theoretical and methodological components of the program need practical application in a classroom setting in order to be refined and consolidated. To develop such application a developmental approach to practical experience is linked with students’ expanding knowledge. Field Experience/Professional Experience units apply skills, techniques and processes taught in the Foundation Studies, Elective and Professional Skills units.

Field Experience Unit 1 orients the student to teaching, and develops basic teaching and learning skills.

Field Experience Unit 2 extends and refines basic teaching and learning skills and approaches.
In some courses the Field Experience/Professional Experience unit is integrated with a Teaching Studies unit.
International Experience

Students can obtain credit for international experiences equivalent to formal unit and field experience/professional experience requirements.

Admission – Australian-based courses
Applicants must have a degree or equivalent diploma to be eligible to apply. In order to complete the course requirements, applicants must normally study two single Curriculum and Teaching units. This requires, in the undergraduate degree, study in one Curriculum and Teaching area for three years, and in the other for at least two years. A double method requires at least three years of study in the discipline. Applicants who are in doubt of the suitability of their background should contact the Student Centre.

Applicants who do not have a satisfactory result in English at Year 12 in Australia must achieve a satisfactory achievement in English by the conclusion of their studies.

Special Admission
There are also Special Admission arrangements for applicants who have completed previous tertiary studies, including TAFE qualifications, for non-Year 12 applicants, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Applicants whose educational qualifications do not satisfy the requirements for admission to the course, but who have a sound and sufficient basis for application supported by documentation, may be granted admission. Intending applicants should contact the Student Centre. For the purposes of teacher registration, students must satisfy pre-requisites for entry into two Curriculum and Teaching Studies as set out by the Department of School Education and/or the Registered Schools’ Board.

Applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent and non-Year 12 applicants are specifically encouraged to apply.

Admission – International-based courses
Karachi Applicants
Applicants for the International Graduate Certificate in Education require satisfactory completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science or Commerce, with the equivalent of two years substantial study in the area in which students will undertake curricular and method studies.
Students who do not have a competent standard of English will be required to undertake an extensive English competence language course to reach an appropriate standard.