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Primary Education Degree in 2010
3 October 2009
When we first commenced the academic planning for the University, it was evident that there was a great deal of local interest in professional programs in, for example, teaching and nursing.
However, the long lead-time to have such programs accredited by professional bodies, typically around two years, precluded them from early consideration as we had a lot less than two years available to us before opening in 1996, as well as too few staff to undertake negotiations.
Over recent years the balance has been redressed and a wide range of professional programs are now available at USC.
The most recently approved professional program will have wide appeal across the Coast, as so many people have been enquiring for so long. The program is a Primary Education Degree. It will be on offer in Semester 1, 2010.
The program has been developed in consultation with principals and staff on the Sunshine Coast, as well as the relevant State Department (Education Queensland) and of course, the accrediting authority, the Queensland College of Teachers.
The program will meet the needs of the modern teacher by carefully balancing theoretical understandings with practical experience in classrooms.
Students will spend one day of every week of the four year program working in schools. In addition they will undertake a major placement each year but with two in the final year.
In this program configuration students can forge strong professional relationships with school teachers, whilst also being able to immerse themselves in university work and life.
We know that until now, a significant number of students have been attracted to Brisbane universities, even though they expressed to us a desire to study at USC rather than travel south, often incurring much greater expense, as a result.
Hence we are hoping that there will be a strong demand for places, especially as the data suggests that large numbers of current teachers are reaching retirement age, opening up greater recruitment opportunities.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of the Sunshine Coast.