ObjectivesDeakin's Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) is a distinctive qualification enabling graduates to teach in primary and secondary schools. It is offered in the off-campus mode. This course is available to bachelor degree (or equivalent diploma) holders from disciplines that enable them to qualify for two single teaching method subjects. Methods usually require a background of study for at least two years, however preference will be given to applicants who have a three year major study in at least one discipline area. The course comprises 16 compulsory units of education and professional studies. As part of the course you are required to complete a highly rewarding professional experience program, involving a minimum 45 days of primary school experience and a minimum 45 days of secondary school experience, working with children and alongside experienced teachers. The course allows you to study specialisations in many areas including arts, humanities, English, health, mathematics, science and environment. On satisfactory completion of this course, candidates are eligible for employment as both primary and secondary (post-primary) teachers.
Entry requirementsThis course is available to bachelor degree (or equivalent diploma) holders from disciplines that enable them to qualify for two single teaching method subjects. Methods usually require a background of study for at least two years, however preference will be given to applicants who have a three year major study in at least one discipline area. A double method requires at least three years of study in the discipline. Applicants with a secondary teaching qualification who wish to be eligible for employment as primary teachers should apply directly to the University. 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 Teaching (Primary and Secondary)
Course descriptionProfessional recognition
Graduates of the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) will meet the entry requirements of the teaching profession in Australia and qualify to gain employment as primary and secondary education teachers in all states and territories of Australia.
Interstate applicants who intend to teach in a state other than Victoria should seek confirmation from the relevant employing authority that the content and structure of their initial degree will qualify them for employment in primary and secondary schools on satisfactory completion of this course.
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. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
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
Graduates of this course have found careers in Australian and overseas primary schools, secondary schools, and P-12 colleges, government departments, recruitment and human resource management, universities as general staff managers, public service, health and welfare organisations as well as in private academies and agencies.
Course rules
To be awarded the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) a student must satisfactorily complete 16 credit points of study taken from the list of course-grouped units leading to the award.
The course of study shall normally be completed within a period of not less than four trimesters of full-time study or part-time equivalent and not more than nine 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 10 consecutive years from the date the student first enrolled in the course.
The course of study shall include satisfactory completion of at least 45 days of supervised school experience in a primary setting and at least 45 days of supervised school experience in a secondary setting.
The course of study shall include secondary curriculum method studies normally related to at least one major sequence of at least 6 credit points or equivalent and at least one minor sequence of at least 4 credit points or equivalent satisfactorily completed in the approved tertiary program undertaken prior to entry.
Course structure
Note: Students enrolled prior to 2007 should contact their enrolment officer for course advice.
Off campus
Off-campus students are expected to take no more than two credit points of study per trimester but have the option of increasing or decreasing this load by negotiation with the course coordinator. Off-campus students should note that the normal professional experience (school experience) requirements apply.
Off campus
Year 1
Trimester 1
EEE404 Children: Culture, Development and Learning
ECL400 Primary Language Education 1
EEP501 Primary School Experience 5A
Trimester 2
EEE405 Creating Effective Learning Environments
EME497 Primary Mathematics Education 1
Year 2
Trimester 1
ECA551 Primary Arts Education
ECS501 Primary Humanities, Societies and Environments
EEP504 Primary School Experience 5D
Trimester 2
ESH500 Primary Physical and Health Education
EES540 Primary Science Education
Year 3
Trimester 1
EME500 Primary Mathematics Education 2
EEY501 Secondary School Experience 5A
Secondary Curriculum Study A or middle school (first teaching method)
Trimester 2
ECL500 Primary Language Education 2
Secondary Curriculum Study B or senior school (first teaching method)
Year 4
Trimester 1
EEE504 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting
EEY502 Secondary School Experience 5B
Secondary Curriculum Study A or middle school (second teaching method)
Trimester 2
EEE505 Becoming a Professional Educator
Secondary Curriculum Study B or senior school (second teaching method)
Notes:
(i) All units are 1 credit point unless otherwise noted
(ii) EEE404, EEE405, EES540, EEE504, EEE505 are 0.75 credit point units
(iii) EEP504 is a 0.50 credit point unit
(iv) EEP501, EEY501, EEY502 are 0.25 credit point units
Secondary Curriculum Studies
Note: Students are required to undertake professional experience placements concurrently with enrolment in secondary curriculum studies.
Specialist area Guidelines for teachers can be found on the website of the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Music
(ECA431/ECA432 students to select Music specialism)
ECA431 Arts Education Discipline Study 1
ECA432 Arts Education Discipline Study 2
Visual Arts
(ECA431/ECA432 students to select Visual Arts specialism)
ECA431 Arts Education Discipline Study 1
ECA432 Arts Education Discipline Study 2
Commerce
ECS471 Humanities, Societies and Environments: Curriculum Study A
ESJ460 Studies in Curriculum 4
Note: ESJ460 students to select Senior Commerce: Curriculum Study specialism.
English
ECL461 English Education A
ECL462 English Education B
Humanities, Societies and Environments (formerly SOSE)
ECS471 Humanities, Societies and Environments: Curriculum Study A
ECS472 Humanities, Societies and Environments: Curriculum Study B
Health (students to select the Health specialism in these units)
ESJ457 Studies in Curriculum 1
ESJ458 Studies in Curriculum 2
Notes:
(i) ESJ457 students to select the Health Education: Curriculum Study specialism, Trimester 1 (B, G) offered each year, (X) offered alternate years 2010, 2012.
(ii) ESJ458 students to select the Senior Health and Human Development: Curriculum Study specialism, Trimester 2 (B, G) offered each year, (X) offered alternate years 2010, 2012.
Mathematics
ESM424 Mathematics: Curriculum Study
ESM425 Senior Mathematics: Curriculum Study
Environmental Science
ESS441 Environmental Science and Society: Curriculum Study
ESS442 Senior Environmental Science: Curriculum Study
Biology
ESS444 Science: Curriculum Study
ESS467 Senior Biology: Curriculum Study
Chemistry
ESS444 Science: Curriculum Study
ESJ460 Studies in Curriculum 4
Note: ESJ460 students to select Senior Chemistry: Curriculum Study specialism.
Science (General)
ESS444 Science: Curriculum Study
ESS415 Resources in the Contemporary Science Curriculum
Biology and Chemistry
ESS444 Science: Curriculum Study
ESS460 Unit description is currently unavailable
ESS467 Senior Biology: Curriculum Study
and
ESS441 Environmental Science and Society: Curriculum Study
or
ESS415 Resources in the Contemporary Science Curriculum
LOTE
ESJ457 Studies in Curriculum 1
ESJ458 Studies in Curriculum 2
Notes:
(i) ESJ457 students to select the LOTE: Curriculum Study specialism.
(ii) ESJ458 students to select the LOTE Materials Development specialism.
TESOL
ESJ459 Studies in Curriculum 3
ESJ460 Studies in Curriculum 4
Notes:
(i) ESJ459 students to select the TESOL: Curriculum Study A specialism.
(ii) ESJ460 students to select the TESOL: Curriculum Study B Specialism.
Double method requirements (Off campus)
To meet the specific requirements for double methods in Humanities, Mathematics, Music and Visual Arts, the following units must be completed in addition to the relevant secondary studies units listed above.
Humanities, Societies and Environments (formerly SOSE)
ECS420 Contemporary Global Issues in Social, Political and Environmental Learning
ECS421 Learning Beyond the Classroom: Local Communities
Mathematics
ESM415 Problem Solving in the Mathematics Classroom
and one of:
ESM438 Evaluating Children's Progress
or
ESM433 Exploring Space and Number
Notes:
(i) ESM438 offered in alternate years 2010, 2012
(ii) ESM433 offered in alternate years 2009, 2011
Music
(ECA433/ECA434 students to select Music specialism)
ECA433 Arts Education Discipline Study 3
ECA434 Arts Education Discipline Study 4
Visual Arts
(ECA433/ECA434 students to select Visual Arts specialism)
ECA433 Arts Education Discipline Study 3
ECA434 Arts Education Discipline Study 4
LOTE/TESOL requirements
Students wishing to specialise in teaching languages other than English (LOTE) or teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) within the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) should note the following LOTE/TESOL requirements:
LOTE
Students are advised that the requirements of the Victorian Institute of Teaching for primary and secondary teachers of LOTE (Languages Other Than English) are as follows:
* A post–year 12 major study in the language, together with teaching methodology in LOTE.
Native speakers of the language may seek a statement of equivalence from a Victorian university to verify that they meet the standard of a 'post–year 12 major study'. Teachers wishing to get recognition in languages which are not taught in Victorian universities and for which university statements of equivalence are not available, may seek equivalence accreditation with the Department of Education and Training, Victoria.
TESOL
The Victorian Institute of Teaching requirements for TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) include a sub-major in one of:
* linguistics, or
* a second language (i.e. not the teacher's first language), or appropriate TESOL studies; together with teaching methodology in TESOL.
Contact hours
For each unit of study students are expected to devote 10 to 12 hours of reading, revision and assignment preparation time for each unit each week.
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
This course is available to bachelor degree (or equivalent diploma) holders from disciplines that enable them to qualify for two single teaching method subjects. Methods usually require a background of study for at least two years, however preference will be given to applicants who have a three year major study in at least one discipline area. A double method requires at least three years of study in the discipline. Applicants with a secondary teaching qualification who wish to be eligible for employment as primary teachers should apply directly to the University.
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
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
Students are advised to contact the Faculty for information regarding applying for credit for prior tertiary study.
How to apply
Applications for on and off campus study must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). For more information refer to VTAC (external site).
Working with Children Check
The Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic.) requires a person who engages in child-related work, as defined in the Act, to obtain an assessment notice under the Act, known as a Working with Children Check (WWCC). The Act is administered by the Department of Justice: justice.vic.gov.au
School experience placements in schools in the course of a university degree are “child-related work”. Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic.), administered by the Department of Justice, a student teacher must obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) before commencing school experience placements in a school. The WWCC must remain current throughout the course. It is an offence under the Act to engage in school experience without holding a WWCC.
Students will not be allowed to commence school experience in any school in Victoria until a Working with Children Check is obtained. The Department of Education has requested that on the application form a student nominates the University as the (or one of the) employers. The University will then be sent a copy of the assessment notice. Because the University needs to assure a school that a student placed at the school has a current Working with Children Check, each student must give their authority to provide the assurance - a student will be required to sign an authority for the University to inform a school that a WWCC has or has not been obtained.
While the University will hold on file documentation relating to the WWCCs obtained by students engaged in school experience, it is each student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she can produce the WWCC card to the school upon request and to keep the WWCC current under the Act.
Students are required to apply for a WWCC through a participating Australia Post outlet (which can be found on the Australia Post website or the Department of Justice website) and provide proof to the faculty that the WWCC has been undertaken.
Should a student fail to obtain a WWCC, practical training in a school will not be provided, and as practical training is a requirement for completion of a teaching degree, the student may be unable to complete the degree. Should such a situation arise, the University will provide advice on options for tertiary study.
It is the responsibility of students undertaking placements outside Victoria to enquire about and, where necessary, to meet any similar legislative or other requirements concerning working with children.
School Experience requirements
Students are required for registration purposes (and for the award of the degree) to have completed over the duration of their course a minimum of 90 days of supervised school experience. Students should ensure they are conversant with the Standards for Graduating Students as required by the Victorian Institute of Teaching. The school experience is organised by the School Experience Office and students do not make contact with schools regarding placements under any circumstances. Students are required to comply with the on-line instructions regarding enrolment/re-enrolment in school experience; failure to enrol/re-enrol jeopardises a student’s school experience placement.
Students should note that it is a requirement of the course that school experience is undertaken in conjunction with their curriculum studies and Education Major studies and during the time tabled dates unless, in exceptional circumstances, alternative arrangements are negotiated and agreed to in writing with the School Experience Office. Students should note that normally any paid or unpaid work undertaken in a school as an unqualified teacher/teacher’s aide will not be recognised for credit as recognised prior learning in supervised school experience for this course. Students may be required to complete the school experience component of the course outside the academic year.
A satisfactory level of teaching competence during supervised school experience is required for award of the degree. An “unsatisfactory” result on any school experience placement will be referred to the Faculty Academic Progress and Discipline Committee.
Graduates of an accredited teaching course should note that teacher registration is required in Victoria and is administered by the Victorian Institute of Teaching under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic.). Prospective students should acquaint themselves with the requirements for registration in Victoria or in any other relevant location. These requirements include the ability to satisfy the Standards for Graduating Students (available at: vit.vic.edu.au)
School Experience enrolment
Students need to carefully follow the instructions correctly when enrolling or re-enrolling online in school experience units. Failure to enrol or re-enrol correctly jeopardises a student’s school experience placement and this could lead to a delay in the award of the degree. Students must follow Faculty rules in relation to the number of days of school experience to be completed for each placement as per the School Experience Handbook (available from the campus of enrolment) which includes the published school experience timetable. Students should note that a ‘day’ constitutes a whole school day (not part thereof).
Students should obtain a copy of the School Experience Handbook each year from the School Experience Office (also available at deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/education/schoolexp). Information contained in the Handbook is updated annually and is a summary of Faculty rules in relation to school experience.
Off-Campus Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) students
Students enrol in School Experience units in second trimester and negotiate with the School Experience office regarding their placement dates and arrangements. Students will receive a copy of the School Experience Handbook from the School Experience Office on the Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds and are encouraged to liaise closely with this Office when enrolled in these units. Off-campus students undertake their supervised school experience in two blocks with a minimum of 3 consecutive whole days per week, for each setting. Students who wish to undertake their supervised school experience overseas should note that it is to be conducted only in schools using the English language as the main language for instruction. All arrangements for professional experience must be approved by the Faculty of Arts and Education.
Schedule of School Experience units
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) Off campus
EEP501 Primary School Experience 5A
X - 25 day block with minimum 3 consecutive days per week
EEP504 Primary School Experience 5D
X - 20 day block with minimum 3 consecutive days per week
EEY501 Secondary School Experience 5A
X - 25 day block with minimum 3 consecutive days per week
EEY502 Secondary School Experience 5B
X - 20 day block with minimum of 3 consecutive days per week