Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts
Award abbreviation: BEd/BA
QTAC code: 017001
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: AE301
CRICOS code: 056382G. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Earn two degrees in only four years to become an arts discipline teacher in middle (Years 7–9) and senior (Years 10–12) school.

This program prepares you to practise as a secondary teacher in Queensland. The education component develops professional knowledge and practice through courses on campus and at a variety of school/education sites. The arts component develops a background in chosen disciplines to support curriculum and co-curriculum studies in secondary schools. You study two teaching areas from English, geography, history, maths, science, and studies of society and the environment. Classroom field experiences start in your second year of study.

The University also offers a Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Science.

Additional admission requirement 

This program has higher English language proficiency requirements than most other programs at this level offered by the University. Refer to the English language requirements for more information.

Post-admission requirements

You must complete a minimum of 80 days of supervised professional experience, completed as full-time blocks. One major supervised professional experience must be completed in a Queensland school. You are also required to complete 20 days of wider field experience. You must obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before your first workplace experience. Refer to Requirements for placements.

Career opportunities

Teacher in secondary schools, positions in government, media, commerce, industry.

Professional recognition

Graduates may register with the Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools. 

Enquiries

• Contact Student Administration for application and admission information.
• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice

Program structure

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

• Complete 32 courses including 29 required courses and 3 electives.
• Complete no more than 5 introductory level courses, including core courses in the Bachelor of Arts component.
• Select and complete majors and minors as per the list of major and minor study combinations below.
• Register your selected Major and Minor with Student Administration.
• Complete a minimum of 16 weeks Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks.
• Complete 20 days of Wider Field Experience.

In order to commence field experience placement you must:

• Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
• Travel to attend field education placements.
• A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.

Program notes

• Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
• Electives can be used to increase curriculum knowledge in a Key Learning Area.
• Students completing a minor from the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering must complete all electives (3) from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
• Students completing a major in History must select HIS100 and HIS140 as the introductory courses for their major.
• Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
• Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
• When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.

Compatible major and minor combinations

Faculty of Arts and Social Science courses

Select a major teaching area (8 courses) from 1 of the following:

• English
• Geography
• History

Plus select a minor teaching area (4 courses) from 1 of the following:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment
• English

Plus select 3 advanced elective courses (Students completing a minor in Mathematics or Science must select three advanced elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences)

Core courses

1 required course: 
COR109 Communication and Thought

Plus select 1 course from:
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Education courses

13 required courses:
EDU100 Becoming a Teacher
EDU101 Learning about Learning
EDU201 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU202 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
EDU210 Professional Learning: Professional Practice
EDU220 Curriculum A Middle Years 4-10: Pedagogies for New Times
EDU221 Curriculum B Middle Years 4-10: Assessment for Learning
EDU301 Vocational Education and Training: Philosophy and Practice
EDU310 Professional Learning: Learning Engagement
EDU311 Professional Learning: Inclusivity and Diversity
EDU312 Professional Learning: Professional Engagement
EDU330 Senior Phase Curriculum
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

Plus select 2 education elective courses from:
EDU302 E-Learning Leader
EDU303 Learning for Sustainability in Schools
EDU304 Internship
EDU305 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU313 Learning Choices
EDU314 Vocational Education and Training: Learning Engagement
EDU340 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU341 Teaching Mathematics
EDU351 Alternative Schooling Pedagogies
EDU371 Contexts of Disability and Differences

Requirements for placements

As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), preservice teachers must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Suitability Card (Blue Card) by the Commission to allow them to undertake field experience in a school or centre where children under 18 years of age are present. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that preservice teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional workplace learning.

To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to apply for a Blue Card as soon as you have accepted your offer. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when you apply through USC’s Professional  Learning office (Level 2, C Building). Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the Supervised Professional Experience component of your program and you will be unable to meet graduation requirements.

Visit the Commission's website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.

Study Plan

The Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Arts Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Year 1

• Two (2) core courses:
  One core course must be studied in each semester
• One (1) required course
• Three (3) major courses
• Two (2) minor courses

Core courses (2)

Select 2 core courses from:

Required course (1)

Major courses (3)

Select 3 courses from your chosen major study area:

• English
• Geography
• History

Minor courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your compatible minor study area:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment
• English

Year 2

• Six (6) required courses:
  EDU202, EDU210, EDU220 and EDU221 must be studied in Semester 2
• One (1) major course: Must be studied in Semester 1
• One (1) elective course: Must be studied in Semester 1

Required courses (6)

Major course (1)

Select 1 course from your chosen major study area:

• English
• Geography
• History

Elective course (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 3

• Four (4) required courses: EDU301, EDU310, EDU330 and SCS130 must be studied in Semester 1
• Two (2) major courses: Must be studied in Semester 2
• One (1) minor course: Must be studied in Semester 2
• One (1) elective course: Must be studied in Semester 2

Required courses (4)

Major courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your chosen major study area:

• English
• Geography
• History

Minor course (1)

Select 1 course from your compatible minor study area:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment
• English

Elective course (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 4

• Two (2) required courses: EDU311 and EDU312 must be studied in your final semester of study and all discipline courses (majors, minors and electives) must have been completed prior to enrolment in both of these courses.
• Two (2) education electives
• Two (2) major courses
• One (1) minor course
• One (1) elective course

Required courses (2)

Education electives (2)

Select 2 Education elective courses from:

Major courses (2)

Select 2 courses from your chosen major study area:

• English
• Geography
• History

Minor course (1)

Select 1 course from your compatible minor study area:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment
• English

Elective course (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Why choose USC? 

It’s the best of both worlds. Students choose USC for its industry focused degrees, experienced academics, student support, overseas study opportunities and relaxed campus atmosphere.

Am I eligible for university study?

Find out what qualifications you need to apply for entry into your proposed study program. If you don’t have the required qualifications, there may be alternative pathways you can take to gain entry to USC.

If you have previously undertaken university or TAFE studies, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

If English is not your first language, you need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. This requirement applies to all students intending to study at the University.

How do I submit an application?

• Current Year 12 students—regardless of whether you are OP-eligible or not—apply for university using the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application service on the QTAC website
• Non-school leavers use the Apply by Web (ABW) online application service on the QTAC website
• Postgraduate applicants apply directly to USC
• International students apply directly to USC International
• All other applicants

When should I apply?

Check if the program is offered in Semester 1 and / or Semester 2, then follow the deadlines on the application calendar. The academic calendar provides all the key dates you need to know as a student at USC.

What happens next?

Accept your offer with QTAC (if applicable) and USC, enrol in your classes and attend Orientation.

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to apply:

• Online: find answers to commonly asked questions in the Student FAQs
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering

As a USC student, you will need to refer to your study plan to enrol in the appropriate courses each semester or session.

Find out more about how to enrol or follow these steps:

1. Check the open enrolment dates and the academic calendar for key dates
2. Refer to your Study Plan to plan your courses for the study period
3. Find your courses and decide on your classes in the class timetable 
4. Log on to USC Central and enrol in courses and classes
5. Register your major or minor with your faculty (if applicable)
6. Apply for credit transfer or cross-institutional study (if applicable)
7. Pay required study fees by the fee due date

Useful links

• Getting Started Guide
• USC Central Guide
• Common enrolment problems
• Class timetables
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty major and minor offerings
• Student-related policies, plans and procedures
• Contact Student Administration

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to enrol:

• Online: Refer to the USC Central Guide 
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering