ObjectivesDeakin’s Bachelor of Education – 4th year offers three-year trained primary teachers a fourth year of study in order to give them access (where relevant) to full registration as a teacher, promotion, or to allow them to apply for positions in other schools or systems. The course has a broad range of elective units to choose from, and therefore caters for the wide range of prospective student requirements. It is an accredited fourth year of study for teachers for employment purposes.
Entry requirementsApplicants must hold an approved three-year teaching qualification or an approved degree or diploma together with an approved teacher education qualification. In addition to minimum entry requirements, International students for whom English is not their first language, are required to have an overall IELTS score of at least 7.
Academic titleBachelor of Education - 4th Year
Course descriptionProfessional recognition
The Bachelor of Education – 4th year course is recognised by the Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Institute of Teaching as an accredited fourth year of study and for employment in primary schools.
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of this course you may find employment as a teacher within the private or public education sectors ranging from prep to grade 6, in government departments, recruitment and human resource management, universities, public service, TAFE and adult community educational institutions, health and welfare organisations as well as in private academies and agencies.
Course rules
To be awarded the Bachelor of Education a student must satisfactorily complete not less than 8 credit points of study that:
* shall include at least 6 credit points from the list of course-grouped units;
* shall include not less than 6 credit points at level 4 or higher;
* may include no more than 2 credit points at level 3; and
* may include no more than 2 credit points from another Faculty at level 2 or higher.
Note: Students may complete up to 4 modules in assessed mode from the Framework for Accredited Teacher Professional Development.*
Course structure
There are normally no compulsory studies and students may develop an individual study program from the wide range of units offered. Some units may be subject to quotas. Therefore, when selecting units, student should list additional units in priority of interest. In addition some units which cover core curriculum areas are included and students with little or no recent school teaching experience are encouraged to select these units. Each unit is worth 1 credit point unless otherwise specified.
It is strongly recommended that students returning to teaching after a substantial absence take the Refresher Course for Returning Teachers offered by the Consultancy and Development Unit which includes an introduction to recent Victorian curriculum initiatives. See * Framework for Accredited Teacher Professional Development details below
1. Primary Curriculum Methods units
It is strongly recommended, but not compulsory, that teachers returning to work enrol in the following units. This particularly applies to teachers trained more than ten years ago and who have not taught in primary schools within the last five years. These units provide basic primary curriculum methods, comparable to what would be studied in a current preservice course. These units assume that you have access to schools but not that you will be a classroom teacher.
Trimester 1
ECA551 Primary Arts Education
ECL400 Primary Language Education 1
ECS501 Primary Humanities, Societies and Environments
EME500 Primary Mathematics Education 2
Trimester 2
ECL500 Primary Language Education 2
EME497 Primary Mathematics Education 1
ESH500 Primary Physical and Health Education
EES540 Primary Science Education
EEP501 Primary School Experience 5A
see note below
Notes:
(i) All units are 1 credit point value unless otherwise noted.
(ii) EES540 is a 0.75 credit point unit.
(iii) EEP501 is a 0.25 credit point unit, available for students enrolring in EES540.
2. Professional Development units
The elective units listed below are professional development units intended for teachers with recent primary school experience. These units are suitable for teachers who have worked on a full or part-time basis in Australian primary schools within the last five years. These units are closely related to classroom or school practices. They may assume classroom access, although alternatives are provided for those with no current access such as teachers on family leave.
Trimester 1
ESM415 Problem Solving in the Mathematics Classroom
ESS412 Science Experiments You Can Eat
Trimester 2
ECP303 Child Protection
ESM438 Evaluating Children's Progress
ESS456 Science of Toys and Tricks
Notes:
(i) ESS456 offered in alternate years 2009, 2011
(ii) ESM438 offered in alternate years 2010, 2012
3. Specialist Interest units
The elective units listed below are intended for experienced teachers who wish to develop a specialist interest in particular areas of teaching or of the curriculum. They do not require classroom access. They generally relate to both primary and secondary settings.
Trimester 1
ECA433 Arts Education Discipline Study 3
EEC312 Playing with, and Educating for Multiple Futures
EEC381 Classroom and Behaviour Management
EET330 Teaching with New Technologies
ESM415 Problem Solving in the Mathematics Classroom
ESP437 Teaching for Interpersonal Development
Trimester 2
ECA434 Arts Education Discipline Study 4
ECL470 Children's Literature in the Classroom
EEC406 Changing Schools and Classrooms
EEG402 Teaching in a Global World
EEI402 Diversity, Difference and Socially-Just Schooling
ESM433 Exploring Space and Number
ESM438 Evaluating Children's Progress
ESP401 Student Behaviour Management and Welfare
ESP485 Teaching Thinking Skills
ESS439 Issues in Science and Environmental Education
EST430 Educational Software Tools 1
Note:
(i) ECA433, ECA434 students are to select Visual Arts specialism (off campus) or Music specialism offered on campus at Burwood or off campus.
(ii) ECA433, ECA434 students wishing to select other specialisms with these units must seek Course Coordinator approval.
(iii) ESM438 and ESS439 available in alternate years 2010, 2012.
(iv) ESM433 offered in alternate years 2009, 2011.
*Framework for Accredited Teacher Professional Development
Framework for Accredited Teacher Professional Development modules are offered by the Faculty of Arts and Education (for further information Tel 03 9244 6673, Fax 03 9244 3832 or Email ed-leadrenewal@deakin.edu.au). These modules are professional development short courses offered to practising teachers. Students will receive credit for up to four of these modules towards their course if they are taken in assessed mode, that is, if the prescribed assessment is completed at a satisfactory standard.
Detailed course rules
The course of study shall normally be completed within a period of not less than two trimesters of full-time study or part-time equivalent and not more than five trimesters of study or part-time equivalent.
Further extensions of time may be granted with the permission of the Faculty Board which must not exceed ten consecutive years from the date the student first enrolled in the course.
The course of study may include satisfactory completion of a specified number of days of supervised school experience to meet the requirements of an employing body.
The course of study may include specific curriculum method studies to meet the requirements of an employing body.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Education – 4th year course is recognised by the Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Institute of Teaching as an accredited fourth year of study and for employment in primary schools.
Mode of study
While the course is taken by off campus study, it is possible to take some on campus electives, held mainly on the Burwood campus in the evenings.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants must hold an approved three-year teaching qualification or an approved degree or diploma together with an approved teacher education qualification.
In addition to minimum entry requirements, International students for whom English is not their first language, are required to have an overall IELTS score of at least 7.
Selection criteria
The selection criteria includes:
* results in the applicant's most recent relevant qualification;
* the successful completion of other studies at post diploma level;
* inclusion of a personal letter indicating reasons for application and demonstrating a commitment to teaching;
* relevant professional experience or professional development;
* Access and equity considerations particularly rural and isolated, indigenous, difficult family circumstances or disadvantage due to socio-economic reasons.
Students must include with their application full transcripts of previous qualifications, a personal letter, records of relevant professional experience, and any evidence of participation in professional development.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Advanced standing - specific
Up to 4 credit points of advanced standing may be available to candidates for appropriate study completed towards the fourth level of the Bachelor of Education at other institutions, subject to approval by the Faculty Board. This may include teacher professional development modules completed with assessment through participating institutions in the Victorian Professional Development Network's 'Framework for Accredited Teacher Professional Development'.
Students are advised to contact the Faculty for information regarding applying for credit for prior tertiary study.
How to apply
Applications for off-campus study must be made directly to the university through the Applicant Portal referring to closing dates for applications as dates for particular courses may vary.
Further study
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Education 4th Year are eligible to apply or entry into Graduate Certificate, and Master of Education courses.