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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 the essential skills to successfully teach from the first year of school to Year 6, progress your capabilities on supervised placements and complete an eight-unit specialisation. This course also includes a specialisation in English to meet the requirements for teaching language and literacy.
 
Primary specialisations include English; Mathematics; Science and Technology; Human Society and Its Environment; Creative Arts; and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

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 Australia-wide, including Queensland and NSW. Please note your application must include a personal statement outlining your non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements.

Domestic snapshot

DurationLocationSession

4F/8P

Coffs Harbour1, 2
Gold Coast1, 2
Lismore1, 2
Online1, 2

International snapshot

DurationLocationSession

4F/8P

Gold Coast1, 2
Lismore1, 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; Creative Arts; and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education.

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 AttributeCourse 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 re-accredited every five years with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and approved by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) for national recognition 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.

Notice

The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer

From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'

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