The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is an initial teacher education course usually studied over a period of four years. This course will qualify you for professional registration which is administered in Queensland by the Queensland College of Teachers. You will demonstrate evidence of meeting the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage) throughout the course of study. On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible for employment in secondary schools in two teaching areas.
In this course you will complete 125 days of planned teaching practice in secondary schools. Professional practice blocks are included in each year of the course structure, culminating in a ten week block placement which includes a teaching internship.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and consistent with external accreditation course requirements, you will complete:
Professional Studies in Education (20 units equivalent)
Discipline Studies (Discipline Teaching Area units) (12 units)
Discipline Teaching Area units are selected from the relevant Minor listing in this handbook based on unit availabilities by the relevant school that hosts the discipline area. Discipline Teaching Areas you can choose from in this course include:
Study undertaken for each Discipline Teaching Area is equivalent to a total of three-quarters of a year of successful full-time higher education study, comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years as required by the National Program requirements. In this course, this equates to six units, with no more than two at first-year level and no fewer than two units at third-year level. Annually, units are determined and advised by relevant Head of Course and/or Course Advisor from the various disciplines.
To be eligible for teacher registration, students in this course are required to undertake and pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Educators (ITE) prior to graduation.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) course can apply for registration as a secondary school teacher and are qualified to teach in State, Catholic and Independent schools throughout Australia with particular expertise in two discipline teaching areas.
The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is also recognised as a teaching qualification for employment in educational settings internationally, however additional requirements may apply in some locations.
Graduates of this course have developed significant skills that enhance employment opportunities in other sectors. In combination with work experience and personal qualities, graduates may pursue employment in a variety of career paths including:-
Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 192 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BEd(Sec) |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Rank Threshold | SR 62 | ATAR 62 |
QCAA Authority Senior English or equivalent (4, Sound Achievement) and at least one of Mathematics A, B or C (4, Sound Achievement) or equivalent OR
Successful completion of the STEPS course or recognised alternative (non school leavers).
International Students
In addition to the above requirements, international applicants must have a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing and a score of at least 8.0 for Speaking and Listening on an IELTS test undertaken during the 12 month period prior to submitting an application for admission or have successful completion of an AQF Level 7 equivalent qualification in an English speaking country.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CC23 - Associate Degree of Education CC15 - Diploma of Education CC21 - Bachelor of Teaching |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
EDFE11038 - 20 day supervised placement in an educational setting comprising five non-assessable contextual days and five assessable days completed on a one day per week basis throughout Term 2 of the first year and a 10 day continuous assessable block. Set tasks for this professional practice are outlined in an Information and Reporting Booklet supplied to mentor teachers in schools and/ or other educational settings. Students compile a working portfolio as a collection of evidence for demonstrating these tasks which are linked explicitly to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate level). They complete a self-evaluation against the assessment indicators midway through the 10 day block and receive an interim report from the mentor teacher at this stage. Final assessment is completed by a mentor teacher in the placement workplace in conjunction with a University staff member. Students are assessed on a Pass/ Fail basis at the completion of the 10 day block using the same indicators as the Interim Report. Students must pass the practical placement to pass the unit. Follow-up assessment requires students to make additions to an e-portfolio linking specific evidence from the placement to the professional standards. |
EDFE14020 - 25 day extended internship in an educational setting. Students receive an “Internship Authorisation” from the Queensland College of Teachers to be eligible to adopt up to but not exceeding 50% of the mentor teacher’s working load and engage in team teaching with the mentor for the remaining 50%. Full details of the placement are outlined in an Information and Reporting booklet. Students submit evidence of meeting the professional standards at graduate career stage to the mentor teacher and university staff member responsible for Professional Practice 5 on each campus. Mentor teachers are responsible for verifying the evidence statement. On completion of the internship, students present selected aspects of their final e-portfolio to an audience of their peers and pre-service teachers enrolled in the first and second year of the course at a time arranged by the relevant university lecturer on each campus. Distance students complete this activity via Blackboard Collaborate. |
EDFE12043 - 20 day supervised placement in an educational setting comprising five non-assessable contextual days and five assessable days completed on a one day per week basis followed by a ten day continuous assessable block. Professional Practice 2 provides opportunities for full immersion in all aspects of professional practice and critical reflection during a 20 day placement in a classroom environment. In particular they will focus on the implementation and application of the curriculum documents for their two teaching areas. During their placement students will take an active role in self-evaluation processes and actively seek constructive feedback to improve their practice and respond to identified learning needs to improve student outcomes during this placement. Students use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate level) as the basis for monitoring and documenting their professional learning and practice and for the purpose of setting professional learning goals. |
EDFE13033 - 25 day supervised placement in an educational setting comprising a five-week continuous block. In this unit pre-service teachers engage with the school community and key stakeholders in education in a productive way to achieve optimal personal, social and academic outcomes for students over a 25 day (five week) block placement. The unit investigates and critiques theory and skills for effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution as applicable to learning environments and teacher-student interactions. In addition, the unit examines the ethical tensions that arise in learning environments and ways of dealing with these dilemmas. The unit also involves focused observation of learning environments, design and implementation of pedagogical strategies, and evaluation of learning outcomes. Pre-service teachers analyse the nexus between teacher pedagogy and teacher-student dialogue in order to engage students in thinking that involves extension, refinement and meaningful use of knowledge. Pre-service teachers will be required to apply knowledge learnt in discipline units to design and implement learning experiences cognisant of student prior knowledge. |
EDFE14022 - 30 day supervised placement in an educational setting comprising five non-assessable contextual days and a 25 day continuous assessable block. Professional Practice 4 provides opportunities for full immersion in all aspects of professional practice and critical reflection during a 25 day (five week) placement in a classroom environment. Students take an active role in self-evaluation processes and actively seek constructive feedback to improve their practice and respond to identified learning needs to improve student outcomes during this placement. Students use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate level) as the basis for monitoring and documenting their professional learning and practice and for the purpose of setting professional learning goals. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 676 |
2023 | 665 |
2022 | 645 |
2021 | 634 |
2020 | 579 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Students must meet the inherent requirements for the chosen teaching area (minor) pathway selected and must ensure they adhere to any requirements within the scope of teaching these subjects within schools.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students, including disciplines other than healthcare that undertake professional experience placements.
Students must be in possession of a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check issued in other Australian states or territories) to be eligible for placement in a school site.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | |||||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | |||||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | |||||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | |||||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | |||||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | |||||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | |||||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | |||||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | |||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | |||||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 18 | Total credit points: 120 |
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Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE11024 | Teaching Youth | |
EDED11454 | Education as a Profession |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED11457 | Responding to Diversity and Inclusion | |
EDFE11038 | Professional Practice 1 - Introduction to Teaching |
Year 1 - Term 3 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED11458 | Indigenous Studies and Learning |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE12024 | Digital Pedagogies in Secondary Schools | |
EDSE12025 | Neuroeducation and Managing Challenging Behaviour |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE12021 | Middle Years Learning and Teaching | |
EDFE12043 | Professional Practice 2 (Secondary) - Application of Curriculum |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED13434 | Learning and Wellbeing in Middle School | |
EDED13435 | Students with Special Needs |
Year 3 - Term 3 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDFE13033 | Professional Practice 3 (Secondary) - Engagement with Others |
Year 4 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE14004 | Assessment and Reporting in Secondary Schools | |
EDSE14002 | Senior Years Learning and Teaching | |
EDSE14003 | Literacy and Numeracy across the Curriculum |
Year 4 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED14354 | The Ethical Professional | |
EDFE14022 | Professional Practice 4 (Secondary) - Learning and Teaching in Action | |
EDFE14020 | Professional Practice Specialisation |
In addition to the above, students are required to complete six units from Discipline Teaching Area 1 and six units from Discipline Teaching Area 2 as follows:-
Year 1, Term 1
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 2
Year 1, Term 2
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 2
Year 2, Term 1
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 2
Year 3, Term 1
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 2
Discipline Teaching Area 2
Year 3, Term 2
Discipline Teaching Area 1
Discipline Teaching Area 2
A list of units relating to the Discipline Teaching Areas can be found by accessing the information relating to specific minors in this course. Students should also refer to the More Details section for important information regarding completion of these units.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Accounting must complete and pass the two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ACCT11059 | Accounting, Learning and Online Communication | |
ACCT11081 | Introductory Financial Accounting |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ACCT19060 | Management Accounting | |
ACCT19061 | Advanced Financial Accounting | |
ACCT19062 | Intermediate Financial Accounting | |
ACCT19064 | Auditing & Professional Practice |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Biology (including Year 7-10 Science) must complete and pass the two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
BIOL11099 | Living Systems | |
BIOL11100 | Functional Biology |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 4 from the following units: | ||
BOTN19001 | Australian Botany | |
MBIO19012 | Microbiology | |
ZOOL19002 | Australian Vertebrate Fauna | |
ZOOL12009 | Invertebrate Zoology | |
MARN13007 | Coastal Marine Resources | |
BIOL13031 | Ecology: Theory and Application | |
BIOL12107 | Genomes, Genetics & Evolution |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Business must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
MRKT11029 | Marketing Fundamentals | |
LAWS11030 | Foundations of Business Law | |
ACCT11059 | Accounting, Learning and Online Communication | |
ECON11026 | Principles of Economics | |
MGMT11109 | Introduction to Business | |
HRMT11011 | Human Resource Management |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 4 from the following units: | ||
ACCT19060 | Management Accounting | |
ECON19031 | Environmental Economics | |
ECON19033 | Macroeconomics | |
LAWS19032 | Company & Association Law | |
MGMT19126 | Operations Management | |
MRKT19030 | Marketing Communications | |
MGMT13151 | Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Start-ups |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Chemistry (including Year 7-10 Science) must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM11041 | Chemistry for the Life Sciences | |
SCIE11024 | Science Investigation |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
CHEM19085 | Environmental Chemistry | |
CHEM12077 | Food Science & Analysis | |
CHEM13082 | Nanotechnology: Health and the environment | |
CHEM13081 | Biomaterials: Environmental and Medical Applications |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach English must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
LITR11055 | Popular Genres | |
LITR11043 | The Short Story |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
LITR19051 | Literary Theory | |
LITR19049 | Romantic and Contemporary Poetry | |
LITR19056 | Shakespeare Today |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
LITR19052 | The Modern Novel | |
LITR19057 | Contemporary Australian Literature |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Geography must complete and pass the two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
GEOH11001 | Introduction to Human Geography | |
GEOG11023 | Physical Geography of Australia |
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
GEOG11024 | Conservation in Australia |
Advanced Level Units:
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
GEOG13013 | Sustainable Regions and Cities | |
EVST19022 | Climate Change: Risk and Assessments |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
EVST19020 | Environmental Management Systems | |
GEOG19021 | Geographic Information Systems | |
EVST19007 | Environmental and Social Impact Assessment | |
GEOG19029 | Applied Demography | |
EVST19008 | Development and Environmental Policy |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Physical Education (including Year 7-10 HPE and Year 11-12 Physical Education) must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ESSC11003 | Skill Acquisition and Movement | |
ESSC11001 | Physical Activity, Fitness and Health |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 4 from the following units: | ||
ESSC12001 | Exercise and Sport Physiology | |
ESSC12004 | Exercise and Sport Biomechanics | |
ESSC12005 | Applied Exercise and Sport Physiology | |
NUTR12001 | Human Nutrition | |
HLTH12030 | Drugs in Society |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach History must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
HIST11037 | Dawn of Humanity: An Introduction to World History | |
HIST11038 | The Modern World Emerges: An Overview |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 4 from the following units: | ||
HIST19031 | Australia on the World Stage: History and Politics | |
HIST19038 | 20th Century: Crucible of the Modern World | |
EVST19015 | Australian Environmental History | |
HIST19035 | Modern South East Asia | |
HIST19029 | Modern Japan | |
HIST19032 | War and Australian Society |
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Home Economics and Hospitality must complete and pass the two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDVT11021 | Food Technology | |
EDVT11022 | Textile Technology |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE12023 | Individuals, Families & Communities | |
EDSE14001 | Fashion Design | |
NUTR12001 | Human Nutrition | |
EDSE13001 | Culinary Science for Teachers |
In addition to the on-line Moodle site requirements, EDVT11021 and EDVT11022 also include compulsory Residential Schools delivered face-to-face. Please consult the current handbook under "Residential Schools" for further details.
Trade Entry:- Students who enter the course with a relevant Trade Qualification can apply for up to six units credit towards Discipline Teaching Area 1. For these students, Discipline Teaching Area 2 must comprise the completion of the six units listed above.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Industrial Technology and Design must complete and pass the two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE11022 | Timber Technology and Design | |
EDSE11023 | Metal Technologies and Design |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE12027 | Industrial Furnishing Processes | |
EDSE12026 | Graphics, 3D Computer Aided Drafting and Design | |
EDSE14005 | Design and Manufacturing | |
EDSE13002 | Industrial Skills |
In addition to the on-line Moodle site requirements, all units that make up this Discipline Teaching Area also include compulsory Residential Schools delivered face-to-face. Please consult the current handbook under "Residential Schools" for further details.
Trade Entry:- Students who enter the course with a relevant Trade Qualification can apply for up to six units credit towards Discipline Teaching Area 1. For these students, Discipline Teaching Area 2 must comprise the completion of the six units listed above.
Number of units: 6 | Total credit points: 36 |
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Students wishing to teach Mathematics must complete and pass two Level 1 units from the list below plus four Advanced level units.
Level 1 Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MATH11160 | Technology Mathematics | |
STAT11048 | Essential Statistics |
Advanced Level Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MATH12223 | Calculus A | |
MATH12224 | Calculus B | |
MATH13217 | Linear Algebra and Vectors | |
MATH13218 | Advanced Applications of Mathematics |
Location of study
This course can only be studied within Australia.
Please be advised that units in this course may be delivered in a variety of ways including on-campus/face-to-face, online, in schools (placement) and intensive residential schools. Some units in the course may only be available to be studied online. Students are advised to check the handbook for unit availabilities and the requirements of each unit within the course prior to enrolling.
Mid-Year Entry
Students commencing mid-year in the Bachelor of Education courses (CC12, CC14, CC13) have the option to complete an accelerated course structure of 3.5 years. This course structure will align your course completion with those students who commenced in Term 1 of the same year. (Please note, this course structure does not apply to students commencing in Term 1)
To be eligible to follow the accelerated course structure, you will be required to enrol as outlined within the Term 2 (mid-year entry) study plans for your course. The mid-year entry study plan includes enrolment over Term 3 and some terms of over-enrolment (5 units per term). Please contact the Course Advice Team via email at spc@cqu.edu.au for a personalised mid-year entry study plan.
Please note, in the event that you receive a failed grade or do not wish to study the required units over Term 3, you will no longer be eligible to follow the accelerated course structure.
Course Planners
For Course Planners please refer to http://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/planners-and-profiles
Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE)
Students undertaking an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course must complete both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) with a result of “Standard Achieved” to be eligible for graduation.
You will need to have met this requirement to be eligible to register for the two linked final year placements of Professional Practice 3 and Professional Practice 4. Registration for these placements occurs in August of the year prior to their scheduled completion. You will not be able to enrol in EDFE14021 Professional Practice 4 or complete a placement for this unit if you have not submitted a registration form confirming successful completion of LANTITE.
NB: LANTITE is completed externally to the university and is a mandated component of all teacher education courses in Australia. For further details including how to register, prepare and sit the tests, the available test windows and associated costs, please visit the ACER website at: https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/
Professional Practice
Students will be required to complete 85 assessable supervised placement days in order to satisfy the course accreditation requirements.
EDFE11038 - Professional Practice 1: 15 day supervised placement
EDFE12043 - Professional Practice 2: 15 day supervised placement
EDFE13033 - Professional Practice 3: 25 day supervised placement
EDFE14021 - Professional Practice 4: 30 day supervised placement
As part of QCT accreditation, students must have passed ALL coursework, except EDED14354 The Ethical Professional, and EDFE14020 Professional Practice Specialisation before undertaking EDFE14021 Professional Practice 4 – Engaged Teaching and Learning.
Placements should be completed as per the structure identified in the Professional Practice Calendar which can be accessed from the CQUniversity Professional Experience website at the beginning of each academic year. In situations where variations to the calendar are unavoidable, the pre-service teacher should obtain approval by email from the Academic Director of Professional Practice (or their delegate).
All professional practice materials, including information and reporting booklets and placement calendars can be located on the following website: https://www.cqu.edu.au/about-us/structure/schools/ea/professional-experience
In order to have a placement sourced for you for any of the Professional Practice units, all pre-service teachers will need to register for a placement by completing an online form through the placement system Sonia. All summative reports are also completed through this platform and can be accessed through the following site: https://sonia.cqu.edu.au
Pre-service teachers must be aware that they cannot receive remuneration in any form for duties carried out as part of Professional Practice placements.
Working with Children Check
Pre-service teachers must be enrolled in a CQUniversity Professional Practice unit and be in possession of a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check issued in other Australian states or territories) to be eligible for placement in a school/early learning centre/educational site. Please log onto the placement system Sonia to access the online form to apply for a Working with Children Check.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit transfer will not be granted towards curriculum and pedagogy units within the Bachelor of Education courses on the basis of work experience and/or informal and non-formal learning.
Credit transfer will only be granted from formal learning where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQU unit, have been successfully completed as part of an accredited Initial Teacher Education Course.
It is an expectation that all pre-service teachers must be able to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate Career Stage to be registered in Queensland. Demonstration of the standards necessarily includes relevant knowledge planning, teaching, assessing and reporting in accordance with the mandated curriculum.
Core curriculum and pedagogy units are an essential component of the course to ensure that students have all the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage).
In addition, graduation from an Initial Teacher Education Course and eligibility for teacher registration requires the completion of a minimum number of assessable placement days in schools or other approved learning sites. For this reason, credit will not be granted for any professional experience other than days completed as part of a formal, supervised assessable placement within an Initial Teacher Education Course.
Credit is normally granted only for units satisfactorily completed in the last 5 years for practical placement units and in the last 7 years for curriculum units at a recognised educational institution.
Please note: CQUniversity does not accept qualifications that are lower than a Diploma level as a basis for credit towards undergraduate courses, with the exception of the Trade Entry outlined below. Refer to the Credit For Prior Learning website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process or contact the Academic Pathways Team at credit@cqu.edu.au.
Trade Entry – Credit Transfer for Trade qualifications:
Students entering the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) course with a recognised Trade qualification who wish to teach Secondary Industrial Technology and Design or Home Economics and Hospitality subject areas may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into this course of study.
Applicants must provide a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio to support an application for advanced standing of which a maximum of 6 units may be approved towards Teaching Discipline Area 1.
The advanced standing application must include a Trade experience portfolio of evidence, comprising the following:
Evidence of successful completion of a recognised Trade qualification, or a combination of other relevant qualifications suitable for your chosen discipline teaching area;
Evidence of successful completion of a recognised Australian apprenticeship and documented experience in the chosen teaching area; and
Documented evidence of 3 to 5 years verifiable post trade work experience in the relevant industry, in the form of a Statement of Service from the employer/s.
Unit outlines are not required for these qualifications.
IMPORTANT: Students who are successful in gaining six (6) unit credits for Teaching Discipline Area 1 from their trade qualification MUST complete the six (6) units outlined in the Industrial Technology and Design or Home Economics and Hospitality teaching areas as their Discipline Teaching Area 2.
For example, if your trade experience portfolio relates to Hospitality and you are successful in gaining credit for Teaching Area 1 you must then complete the 6 units outlined in the Home Economics and Hospitality Minor as your second teaching area. If you wish to complete two teaching discipline areas no credit from your trade qualification/work experience can be awarded. These requirements are set down by the accrediting body, the Queensland College of Teachers, and must be met in order for credit to be awarded.
Discipline Teaching Areas
Students to choose two Discipline Teaching Areas from the following list and complete 6 courses per teaching area:
Agricultural Science (including Year 7 - 10 Science)
Business
Biology (including Year 7 – 10 Science)
Chemistry (including Year 7 – 10 Science)
English
Geography
Health and Physical Education (including Year 7 – 10 HPE & Year 11 – 12 Physical Education)
History
Home Economics & Hospitality
Industrial Technology and Design
Mathematics
Psychology (including Year 7 - 10 Science)
Please note: There may be issues for students who choose both Home Economics & Hospitality, and Industrial Technology & Design together due to residential school clashes. Due to potential clashes, students may need to extend the length of their course to accommodate a clash free planner. Students are encouraged to seek advice from the Course Advisor regarding their course planner and enrol in the units in the order specified in the course planner.
Agricultural Science may not be offered as a school subject in all locations. Students who select this teaching area are advised that they may need to travel or relocate to complete placements. For information on current placement locations for Agricultural Science students, please contact the Academic Director of Professional Practice, Dr Kerry Aprile by emailing k.aprile@cqu.edu.au
Career Opportunities
Like other professions, the teaching profession is impacted by issues of supply and demand. It is therefore wise to investigate your employment prospects prior to deciding on a course specialisation. This is especially important if you are unable to relocate.