Bachelor of Education (Secondary)Graduate entryInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is a two-year degree (full-time or part-time equivalent) that offers graduates of disciplines other than education a qualification to teach in a secondary school in up to two subjects, enabling them to expand their employment opportunities in areas where demand is high.

Specialisation units are generally delivered by practising teachers who bring their first-hand teaching experience to the course. School-based, practical teaching experience throughout the course enables students to put theory into practice as they observe and reflect on the dynamics of the classroom. This experience also enables students to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and secondary schools.

All core education units can be studied by distance education, but students are required to attend a two-day workshop in Lismore or Coffs Harbour in session one and two in either the first or second year.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of can find employment nationally and internationally. In addition to teaching in secondary schools, graduates also work in a range of training and development settings in industry, the public service, the arts, and in tourist resorts as recreational or activities officers.

Professional Recognition

This course is approved by the NSW Institute of Teachers and is nationally recognised. Graduates of the course meet the qualification requirements for accreditation/registration as a teacher in schools across all Australian states and territories.

Usually, teacher education qualifications approved in New South Wales are recognised internationally, but students need to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding accreditation requirements.

Professional Placement

Students complete a program of practical in-school teaching experiences throughout the course, culminating in a seven week in-school professional development in education unit to demonstrate their independent and professional capabilities as secondary school teachers.

Major Areas of Study

Students can study two of the following curriculum specialisations:

* The English and Science specialisations each require attendance at a two-day Lismore workshop in session one and session two in either the first or second year. Contact the School of Education if you have any further queries.

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) a total of 192 credit points (usually 16 units) must be completed.

Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations Note: Session 2 intake is not available to international students.
Distance Education Unavailable
Lismore Session 1
Session 2
Coffs Harbour Session 1
Session 2
Gold Coast
Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga
Session 1
Session 2
Course Duration 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities.
Fees and Charges Domestic fees
International fees
Additional fee information
School School of Education
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481
International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au
Total Units: Award Abbreviation: 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
16 BEd(Sec) Graduate entry/School assessed
UAC Course Code QTAC Course Code CRICOS Course Code

Session 1
Coffs Harbour: 872152
Gold Coast: 872161
Lismore: 872112

Session 2
Coffs Harbour: 874152
Gold Coast: 874162
Lismore: 874112

Session 1 and Session 2
Coffs Harbour: 058151
Gold Coast: 058161
Lismore: 058101

Coffs Harbour NSW: 036698G
Gold Coast QLD: 077273E
Lismore NSW: 036698G
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Teaching Methods

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, workshops, professional experience in schools, and online discussion forums. In addition to face-to-face delivery, all core education units are also delivered online or by distance education. There is a three-week professional development experience in the final session of the course. Students also complete professional experience units during the course, which require them to spend single days and block periods in schools.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

The assessment methods vary from unit to unit. Most units use progressive assessment with marks typically allocated across a combination of tasks which are due at different times during the study period and sometimes include an end of period examination. Students are advised of assessment requirements for each unit, including clear guidelines, due dates, and the weighting for each assessment, at the commencement of each study period.

Equipment and Facilities

Southern Cross University provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.

How to Apply

Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects

There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.

On-campus Undergraduate applications

To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.

Apply with QTAC

Apply with UAC

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Office website.

International Applicants

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Contemporary Music/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Visual Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Graduate Diploma of Education
Bachelor of Technology Education

Specific Award Rules

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Qualification for Admission
  1. Applicants shall either have qualified for any degree of this or another university or other institution approved by the School Board for this purpose, or in exceptional circumstances, have completed so much of the requirements of a degree over a period of not less than three (3) years, that the remaining requirements may be completed within one year concurrently with candidature for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary). No student may qualify for the award of Bachelor of Education (Secondary) until all requirements of the first degree have been satisfied.
  2. Applicants for admission to candidature must have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or demonstrate proficiency of English by:
    1. International English Language Test System (IELTS). The applicant must have a minimum overall score of 7.5, including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing.
      or
    2. International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR). The applicant must have a score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.
4.2 Requirements for an Award
  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Education (Secondary) a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
    2. two (2) sequential units in a curriculum specialisation listed in Part B of the Schedule;
    3. seven (7) approved units, which may include units from Part B, Part C or Part D of the Schedule.
  2. A candidate who while enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) has completed the units EDU10710, EDU10711, EDU10712, EDU10713, EDU10714 and EDU10715 from Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules, and two (2) sequential units in any curriculum specialisation listed in Part B of the Schedule, may elect to be awarded the Graduate Diploma of Education upon withdrawal from candidature from the Bachelor degree.
  3. Permission to undertake a practicum will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of the School of Education.
4.3 Advanced Standing
  1. Practising teachers in NSW who have completed an approved Secondary School teaching qualification may be granted advanced standing for up to nine (9) units.
  2. Practising teachers in NSW who have completed an approved Primary School teaching qualification may be granted advanced standing for up to seven (7) units. Candidates must then complete a minimum of six (6) units in a Secondary Teaching Subject Area as approved by the Course Coordinator, two (2) sequential curriculum specialisation units from Part B which are related to their Teaching Subject and EDU10716 Professional Development in Education.
  3. Additional advanced standing for up to three (3) units may be granted by the School Board, which shall notify the Academic Board in all instances.

Schedule of Units

* Double-weighted unit.

† Sequential units in a curriculum specialisation are indicated by their naming; e.g. Curriculum Specialisation: Visual Arts I and Curriculum Specialisation: Visual Arts II.

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