Course summary
Honours candidates are postgraduate students. Typically, to be eligible for acceptance in the Honours program, a GPA of 5.5 or more from the candidate’s undergraduate degree is required. Please contact the Honours Coordinator for more information.
The Bachelor of Education (Honours) is a year of study that is undertaken following the successful completion of an undergraduate education degree. It enables students to:
- extend the depth of their education degree (as an expert educator)
- enhance their career pathways
- develop a basis for gaining entry into an education PhD program.
The highest performing education students will be accepted to the Honours program. Upon successful completion, they will have an excellent chance of being admitted to a PhD program through the School of Education. Some Honours graduates may also be able to obtain scholarships for their PhD studies.
The Honours degree includes units in educational research skills and research methodology that assists students to conduct a significant research project on a topic of their interest. Generally this research project will be presented in the form of a written thesis. A supervisor (an experienced academic) will closely guide and support Honours students in undertaking their research project (thesis) from concept through to completion. In all respects, Honours students in the School of Education will be regarded as budding researchers where they will contribute significantly to the research culture in the School.
Further information, including details about the two School of Education scholarships available for Honours students, can be accessed from the Honours Information page.
Download the Honours Handbook.
Domestic snapshot
| Duration | Location | Session |
|---|---|---|
1F/2P | Online | 1, 2 |
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 advanced knowledge of theoretical concepts of Education Demonstrate the ability to undertake research and scholarship under supervision |
| Creativity | Demonstrate the ability to identify and investigate solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence Demonstrate and apply critical thinking and judgement in developing new understandings and creative responses to challenges in Education |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate an appreciation of the value of a commitment to social justice, human rights, ethics and sustainability in scholarship, research and professional practice Adhere to the ethical issue(s) relevant to research questions and methodologies |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate and apply an advanced mastery of a body of knowledge and of related theoretical concepts in an area of Education Demonstrate an ability to apply competently technical skills related to research project design and methodology |
| Lifelong learning | Demonstrate an appreciation of the value of professional learning and reflective practice to ongoing personal and professional development. Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of autonomy, well developed judgement, adaptability, responsibility and accountability in educational settings |
| Communication and social skills | Demonstrate an ability to present a lucid exposition of knowledge and ideas to various audiences, orally and in written format |
| Cultural competence | Apply educational practices that are informed by cultural awareness and cultural competence, global perspectives, inclusivity and respect for the rights of all persons. |
The coursework units are assessed through two assignments each, evaluated by the unit marker, as per the published rubric in the Unit Information Guide and on the unit site. The results in the coursework units constitute 25% of the final Honours level calculation. The thesis that is produced by the candidate is examined by two examiners, chosen by the Honours supervisor. One or more of these examiners may be external to Southern Cross University. The thesis is evaluated according to a rubric in the Honours Handbook, published in the Honours Handbook.
This program is delivered online, including the course work units and consultation with supervisors. Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit and with each individual supervisor.
A key aim of the Honours degree is to foster the next generation of academics in education. An Honours degree enables graduates to:
- specialise in a field of education whereby working towards becoming an expert teacher
- gain entry into a PhD program
- work as an educational officer or coordinator in departments of education or non-profit education providers
- work towards becoming a junior academic in a school or faculty of education.