The Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Health Sciences may be taken as a double degree program in four years full-time (or the equivalent part-time). Students who study part-time would normally be expected to complete the double degree program within eight years. The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
The double degree program of Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Health Sciences requires completion of a total of 144 units.
In making provision for teacher education students to take a special interest in middle or secondary schooling there is no simple or sharp line of demarcation in the ideas discussed or the practices investigated in our programs. Rather we recognise that although middle and secondary schools may be located in the same physical space, the needs of students in early and later adolescence are different so that there ought to be different emphases placed on the approaches taken in teaching these groups.
In the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Health Sciences all students will undertake a common program of study in the first two years. At the conclusion of the second year of full-time study students will then opt to follow the Secondary Schooling Strand or the Middle Schooling Strand.
Students who commence, but subsequently do not wish to complete, either the full double degree program or the professional experience component of the double degree program may be eligible to:
- transfer into the four year Bachelor of Education Studies, Bachelor of Health Sciences double degree after at least 72 units of study have been attempted (excluding topics for which a Withdraw, Not Fail (WN) has been recorded); or
- transfer to the Bachelor of Health Sciences and apply for credit for topics already completed; or
- exit after successful completion of 108 units with the Bachelor of Education Studies provided they have met the course rule requirements for that award.
Admission requirements
The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.
Course aims
The course aims to produce graduates who:
- are prepared to participate in a world that requires high levels of scientific, mathematical and technological literacy
- can teach within and across learning areas
- have developed studies in depth in two or three specific school curriculum learning areas relevant to teaching at middle or secondary school levels
- are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of educational settings with diverse groups of students
- have the capacity to undertake ongoing professional study through a variety of pathways.
Learning outcomes
In undertaking this double degree students will be able to:
- demonstrate a commitment to working ethically and collectively with colleagues to achieve high quality, equitable outcomes for young people and the wider community
- appreciate that teaching is a collaborative activity conducted within a professional community
- recognise the ways that education can respond to the demands made by a complex and ever-changing world
- understand that their work as teachers is moderated by policy frameworks and legal requirements
- articulate an understanding of young peoples' development, and individual, social and cultural differences
- form mutually respectful relationships with young people that support their intellectual, ethical and social growth
- engage young people in informed decision-making with regard to their curriculum and learning environments
- utilise teaching strategies that will foster in young people deep understanding, a capacity for independent inquiry, and learning in cooperation with others
- apply the history, content and principles of their subject specialisations to construct academically rigorous, developmentally appropriate and socially equitable curriculum
- work both independently and collaboratively with young people, colleagues and communities to construct curriculum that spans disciplinary boundaries and focus on real-world applications
- develop authentic means for assessing learning and to inform their teaching and young people's learning
- be familiar with theories, factual content and research procedures in their major field of study
- be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems.
Strands
Secondary Schooling Strand
The secondary schooling strand in the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Health Sciences focuses on teaching students who are in Year 8 - Year 12. During their secondary years young people develop their plans for post-secondary education and work. As secondary schooling teachers, graduates of this four-year pre-service qualification will play a key role in developing the knowledge, skills and resources that young people need to meet their goals.
The secondary schooling strand allows pre-service teachers to pursue a teaching specialisation in more depth and deepen their understanding in topics and issues of personal interest. Graduates from the secondary schooling strand will be qualified to teach in at least two different school curriculum areas at secondary school level. The school curriculum subjects that are offered in the secondary schooling strand are:
English, Drama, Visual Art, Health Education, Physical Education, Information Technology, Digital Media, Junior Science, Mathematics, Languages other than English, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Middle Schooling Strand
The double degree Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Health Sciences - Middle Schooling Strand, is a four year pre-service teacher education program designed to effectively develop the specialist knowledge and skills required for teachers in the middle years of schooling (Year 6 to Year 9). This band of schooling encompasses the transition from primary to secondary schooling and requires teachers who have a specific understanding of the educational and personal needs of young adolescents. Graduates from this program typically seek employment in secondary schools, middle schools, R-12 schools or primary schools.
As part of the double degree program teacher education students will focus on preparing to teach in 3 different learning areas selected from the following:
Humanities and Social Sciences, Information and Design Technology, Drama, English, Visual Art, Mathematics, Science, Languages other than English, and Health and Physical Education.
Credit
Limited credit may be granted for recognition of prior studies undertaken at the University or other approved tertiary institutions. Further information is available on the credit transfer page.
Program of study
Full program of study details may be viewed at:
