INDEX

BACHELOR OF TEACHING (Primary)

BTeach

280 credit points

(Exit qualification only)

Duration                                3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Available at                           Strathfield Campus NSW (Mount Saint Mary)

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (Primary)

BEd

360 credit points

Duration                                4 years full-time or equivalent part-time*

Available at                           Ballarat Campus VIC (Aquinas)

                                            Brisbane Campus QLD (McAuley at Banyo)

                                            Canberra Campus ACT (Signadou)

                                            Melbourne Campus VIC (St Patrick's)

                                            Strathfield Campus NSW (Mount Saint Mary)

*  Note:  part-time enrolment in this course is not available at the Brisbane Campus (McAuley at Banyo).

Overview

The course is structured with three principal areas of study: Education Foundation Studies, an Elective Sequence and Professional Studies. Particular attention has been given to responding to the demand for increased discipline studies and content, and pedagogical-content knowledge in teacher education courses. This is reflected in the balance between discipline studies and professional studies, all of which have been chosen so that they provide the professional basis for teacher education. The course facilitates, 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 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 whose professional expertise, attitudes and values equip them to develop in others sound knowledge, skills and ideals and a capacity and readiness to undertake responsibility in the community. Quality of education also depends on teachers who are prepared to meet the challenge of continued growth in knowledge, accelerating technological development, social change and heightened community expectations.

The Bachelor of Education requires the equivalent of four years of full-time study, although in order to utilise employment opportunities currently existing in New South Wales the fourth year of study may be completed part-time in that State. The course provides pre-service education for beginning teachers. Graduates are eligible for employment in both government and non-government schools.

Studies in religious education and theology are included in the course to enable graduates to obtain accreditation to teach religious education in Catholic schools. Students not seeking such accreditation may undertake approved alternative units. In Queensland, the course includes a Lutheran strand. Students choosing to complete this strand are accredited to teach in Lutheran primary schools.

Mode of Offering

The course is offered on-campus, normally full-time. Study of units throughout the course may require students to engage in a process of field-based learning where part or the whole of their teaching and learning is conducted in a school context.

Admission

Apply to relevant state Tertiary Admissions Centre.

New South Wales Recommended Studies: Strathfield - English (any) and Mathematics (any), Watson - English Advanced and Mathematics (any).

Queensland Prerequisites: English (SA, 4 semesters).
Recommended Studies: Mathematics (any) at Years 11 and 12.

Victoria Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 a study score of at least 25 in English (any).

Extra Requirements: 'Mature Age' applicants must also complete an ACU Additional Information form available on the ACU National website www.acu.edu.au/forms.cfm or from the Student Centre.

Special Admission

There are special admission arrangements for applicants who have completed previous tertiary studies, 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 relevant state Student Centre for further details.

Course Structure

Unit Offerings

Unit offerings will vary subject to student demand and lecturer availability.

Elective units will vary between campuses and from year to year.

Education Foundation Studies

(Queensland and New South Wales 9 units), (Victoria and Australian Capital Territory 8 units)

¹        Students in Victoria take HIST106 Australian Indigenous Peoples Past and Present

²     In New south Wales, students choose either EDFD204 Catholic Education and Schooling OR EDFD103 Education and Society. In New South Wales students who are not seeking accreditation to teach in Catholic Schools are required to choose two units from EDFD204 Catholic Education and Schooling, EDFD103 Education and Society and EDFD212 Professional Ethics in Education.

Elective Sequence

Students not seeking accreditation to teach in Catholic Schools are required to take an approved alternative Elective Sequence. Students seeking to teach in Lutheran schools in Queensland undertake approved alternative Lutheran units.

Professional Studies

Note:      * Students who do not wish to seek registration to teach in Catholic schools are required to take approved alternative units.

Requirements for Completion of Award (BTeach)

Satisfactory completion of:

·               6 units (60 credit points) of Education Foundation Studies

·               2 units (20 credit points) in an Elective Sequence

·               20 units (200 credit points) of Professional Studies

Total of 280 credit points

Requirements for Completion of Award (BEd)

Satisfactory completion of:

·               Education Foundation Studies;

·               Elective Sequence;

·               Professional Studies;

Total of 360 credit points.

Requirements for completion of Award (BEd) in Queensland:

Satisfactory completion of:

·               9 units (90 credit points) of Education Foundation Studies;

·               4 units (40 credit points) of Elective Studies;

·               23 units (230 credit points) of Professional Studies.

Total of 360 credit points.