Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary)
Course information for - 2023 entry
- Study mode
- Online
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- ACU code
- 1220002711
- ATAR
- N/A
- Fees (first year)*
$5497 CSP
- Start dates
- ACU Online Term 1 - January, ACU Online Term 3 - July
Overview
As both a primary and secondary teacher you will be able to inspire, nurture and develop expertise in young people. You will become qualified to teach across the schooling year levels from the early years to Year 12. The Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary) gives you the flexibility of multiple career options. You will develop knowledge and skills in primary curriculum and one specialist secondary teaching area out of either English or History.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete 80 days. Year 1: Community engagement in an educational setting, minimum of 35 hours. Year 2: 10 days, 15 days. Year 3: 20 days. Year 4: 5 days, 30 days.
Work placement
All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period of professional experience, where pre-service teachers practise teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher.
The current requirements are for a minimum of 80 days of professional experience that occurs in structured supervised settings. Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration as primary and/or secondary teachers in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools. This program has been listed on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) accredited programs list and meets the teacher education component of the qualification requirement for registration (accreditation) as a primary and secondary school teacher in all states and territories.
Online students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to apply for teacher registration in Victoria. Those seeking registration in other states/territories can apply for registration under mutual recognition.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- primary school education
- secondary school education
- community centre education
- private colleges
- inclusive education settings
- policy development
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Education (Primary and Secondary), a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 - ACU Online Term 1 | EDES100 Understanding Learning and Teaching | EDES101 Educational Thought | LNTE110 Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic | ||
Year 1 - ACU Online Term 2 | EDES104 Digital Cultures and Capabilities | EDEN100 Foundations of Literacy | LNTE100 LANTITE - Literacy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students AND LNTE101 LANTITE - Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students * | ||
Year 1 - ACU Online Term 3 | EDES103 Understanding Learners and Their Contexts (Minimum 35 hours Community Engagement) | EDES105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, Histories and Cultures | |||
Year 1 - ACU Online Term 4 | Secondary Discipline (1) 100-level unit | EDEN102 Childrens Literature for Early Reading | |||
Year 2 - ACU Online Term 1 | EDET100 Effective Teaching 1: Becoming a Teacher (PEP Block 15 days: Primary) | EDAR290 The Arts Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment F 6 | |||
Year 2 - ACU Online Term 2 | Secondary Discipline (2) 100-level unit | EDEN290 English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-8) | |||
Year 2 - ACU Online Term 3 | EDET101 Effective Teaching 2: Curriculum, Planning and Pedagogy (PEP 15 days: Secondary) | Secondary Discipline CPA 1 (2 options) | |||
Year 2 - ACU Online Term 4 | Secondary Discipline (3) 200-level unit | EDMA290 Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 (B-12) | |||
Year 3 - ACU Online Term 1 | EDET200 Effective Teaching 3: Engaging Learners and Managing Learning Environments (PEP 15 days: Secondary) | EDSI290 Science Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (B-12) | |||
Year 3 - ACU Online Term 2 | Secondary Discipline (4) 200-level unit | Secondary Discipline CPA 1 (2 options) | |||
Year 3 - ACU Online Term 3 | EDTE290 Technologies Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6) | EDEN291 English Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 (8-12) | |||
Year 3 - ACU Online Term 4 | EDSS290 Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6) | Secondary Discipline (5) 300-level unit | |||
Year 4 - ACU Online Term 1 | EDET300 Effective Teaching 4: Students with Disability and Inclusive Education | Primary Specialisation unit (4 options) | |||
Year 4 - ACU Online Term 2 | EDMA291 Mathematics Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 (F-6) | Secondary Discipline (6) 300-level unit | |||
Year 4 - ACU Online Term 3 | EDET400 Effective Teaching 5: Assessment and Data Informed Practice (PEP 5 days) | EDHP290 Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (F-6) | |||
Year 4 - ACU Online Term 4 | EDET401 Effective Teaching 6: Professional Engagement and Reflection (PEP BLOCK 30 days: Primary) | EDES302 Professional Communication |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
ACU Online Term 1 intake
*LNTE100 and LNTE101: To register for the ACER LANTITE tests go to https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/ upon successful completion, ACU will add LNTE100 (Lit) LNTE101 (Num) to your transcript.
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of a course listed below may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications qualify a student to teach in Australia.
- Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
- Bachelor of Educational Studies
- Diploma in Liberal Arts
- Certificate in Liberal Arts
A student who does not meet the LANTITE requirements may access an appropriate exit point if they meet the requirements of that award.
Overseas study available
Our undergraduate education students can undertake professional experience and community engagement in locations like Kiribati and Solomon Islands. Students work with communities to raise the level of student engagement and offer professional development to local teachers. This intensive professional learning for teachers increases flexibility and adaptability as an educator and provides a global perspective for a better understanding of differences within classrooms.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting a minimum ATAR requirement.
In addition, applicants will be required to demonstrate suitability for teaching.
All applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed:
a. the following prerequisites at year 12 level or equivalent:
- English: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English;
- Mathematics: Units 1 and 2: satisfactory completion of two units (any study combination) of General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics OR Units 3 and 4: any Mathematics.
OR
b. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants may be selected following an interview with the course coordinator and staff of the campus Indigenous Higher Education Unit. They should have:
- minimum of three years’ work experience; or
- of year 12 or equivalent; or
- relevant tertiary study skills or successful completion of a Tertiary Communication Skills program.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with ACU College, TAFE, and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
English language requirements
A minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) , or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- Work experience – A selection rank can be calculated based on your work experience – you need to document all of your experience and provide supporting documentation
Further study
ACU offers further opportunities to advance your education career.
Master of Education/Graduate Certificate in Education:
Enhances career advancement opportunities for teachers and other professionals engaged in lead educational roles such as education administrators, researchers, policy makers, career counsellors, psychologists, members of the defence forces, youth ministers and family/parish educators.
Master of Educational Leadership/Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership:
Participants explore theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to their own contexts including Catholic and faith-based educational organisations defined as those organisations affiliated with a religious group or established Church.
Graduate Certificate in Religious Education:
For primary and secondary school teachers who want to teach religion.
Fees
Course costs
$5497 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
Apply for this course
ACU Online Applicants
For Victorian applicants: From 2019, students seeking to enter an undergraduate ITE program on the basis of their ATAR will have an ATAR of 70 or equivalent following access and equity considerations.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Josephine Ryan
Course Coordinator Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts
Dr Josephine (Jo) Ryan is the Deputy Head of the School of Education (Victoria) based at our Melbourne campus. Prior to her employment at ACU, Jo worked as a secondary school English teacher in Australia and the United States of America. She then went on to complete her doctoral studies focusing on gender, class and English teaching undertaken in the US. Since working in higher education in Australia, Jo has taught English/literacy to pre-service and in-service teachers. She has also published academic papers in this field and is especially interested in the ways in which texts are created and comprehended in this digital age. Dr Ryan has co-written a book entitled Effective Techer Education: Partnerships, Reflective Practice and the place of Technology. Dr Ryan is also a member of a number of associations including the Australian Association for the Teaching of English (AATE), as well as the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE).