Course summary
Teachers change lives. If you’re enthusiastic, creative and want to be a positive influence for others, this double degree is at the top of the class.
You will study essential foundational content for teaching in primary schools. Starting in your second year, and continuing throughout the remainder of your degree, you study curriculum, pedagogy and effective teaching strategies with significant blocks of professional teaching experiences in primary schools. This course also includes a specialisation in English.
In addition to discipline and curriculum studies, you also complete an eight-unit specialisation to shape your study. With expert educators providing guidance on teaching methods, assessment and educational leadership, you'll develop strong practical and theoretical skills.
Graduates will be qualified to work as a primary teacher in Queensland and NSW. Please note your application must include a personal statement outlining your non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements.
Domestic snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
4F/8P | Coffs Harbour | 1, 2 |
| Gold Coast | 1, 2 | |
| Lismore | 1, 2 | |
| Online | 1, 2 |
You will study curriculum, pedagogy and effective teaching strategies as well as discipline and curriculum studies in primary teaching areas. You will also choose an eight-unit specialisation in either English; Mathematics; Human Society and Its Environment; Science and Technology; The Arts; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; or a Specialist Program.
All students must complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the first professional experience placement.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate analytical thinking, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills which show broad understanding and depth relevant to the education profession. |
| Creativity | Demonstrate an ability to identify and solve problems with intellectual independence. Demonstrate an ability to develop innovative and creative responses to challenges in an educational setting. |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate knowledge of ethical, legal and human rights principles in education settings. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession.. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the relevant curriculum frameworks. Demonstrate a solid knowledge of the pedagogy of effective educational practice. |
| Lifelong learning | Demonstrate the capacity for self-reflective learning and critical thinking with responsibility and accountability in professional practice. Demonstrate skills in maintaining or advancing information and literacy skills to keep currency with pedagogical practice and professional development. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate clearly, coherently and independently with exposition of knowledge and ideas in both oral and written forms. Demonstrate teamwork skills and leadership in professional and learning community settings. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement. |
The assessment methods vary from unit to unit. Most units use progressive assessment with grades 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.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Primary school teacher with the opportunity to specialise.
Students complete a program of in-school professional teaching experiences during the course, culminating in an extended in-school development experience, to demonstrate their capabilities as primary school teachers.
This course is currently undergoing its five-year reaccreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) for national accreditation through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, but students need to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding accreditation requirements.
All Initial Teacher Education students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). At Southern Cross University the test needs to be successfully completed prior to undertaking the first professional experience placement.