The School of Education and Tertiary Access is a vibrant hub of energetic, passionate and knowledgeable staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and doctoral candidates committed to quality studies in the discipline of Education, Outdoor Environmental Studies and Tertiary Access Pathways.
The School has an established history in the region, extending from the north of Brisbane at Petrie through the Sippy Downs campus at the Sunshine Coast to Gympie and further north to Hervey Bay and our Fraser Coast campus. Many public and independent schools throughout this large region closely align to the University by providing mentoring for our pre-service teachers, many community organisations partner with us to develop and deliver quality programs and research outcomes and our outreach connections encourage student access to tertiary learning.
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Programs
We offer nationally accredited undergraduate and post graduate initial teacher education programs in early childhood, primary and secondary education including double degree bachelor programs in secondary education together with Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies. We offer a Master of Teaching Primary and Secondary, as well as a postgraduate Master of Education for inservice teachers.
We offer a three year Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies that you can then add a Master of Teaching Secondary program.
We offer a full suite of pathway courses to ensure access to and success in your chosen tertiary program.
We offer nationally accredited undergraduate and post graduate initial teacher education programs in early childhood, primary and secondary education including double degree bachelor programs in secondary education together with Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies. We offer a Master of Teaching Primary and Secondary, as well as a postgraduate Master of Education for inservice teachers.
Initial Teacher Education Programs
ED303 Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
ED304 Bachelor of Primary Education
AE304 Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Arts
SE303 Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Science
ED315 Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies
ED707 Master of Teaching (Primary)
ED706 Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Postgraduate Education Programs
ED705 Master of Education
ED511 Graduate Certificate Education Research
ED508 Graduate Certificate Education
ED510 Graduate Certificate Steiner Education
UN901 Doctor of Philosophy
We offer a three year Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies that you can then add a Master of Teaching Secondary program. We also offer a four year double degree to work as secondary teacher, or share your love of the great outdoors. The one year Diploma in Outdoor Environmental Studies is offered to international students only.
ED312 Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies
ED315 Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies
ED112 Diploma in Outdoor Environmental Studies (International Students)
We offer a full suite of pathway courses to ensure access to and success in your chosen tertiary program.
TP000 Tertiary Preparation Pathway
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Research
Education is a diverse interdisciplinary field. The SETA investigates Education across a wide range of contexts (including home, early childhood, compulsory school years, senior secondary, higher education, professional education, community, transitional and adult learning). We are committed to building a collaborative and inclusive community of research scholars and practitioners. We generate and explore new knowledge about the political, social, environmental, cultural, historical, philosophical and psychological aspects of Education theory, policy, pedagogy and practice. We particularly contribute our work to FOR codes 1302 (Curriculum and Pedagogy) and 1303 (Specialist Studies in Education).
Our 8 areas of Research
Teacher education research is interpreted as working in, on, about and with initial teacher education and educator professional development. Teaching and teacher education research is multi-dimensional and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of curriculum, pedagogy, policy and theory. Our research is drawn on a broad range of methodologies for example, quantitative survey, action research, narrative inquiry, case study and critical discourse analysis.
Curriculum and assessment research uses qualitative and quantitative methods to design, review and analyse theories and approaches to designing teaching and learning, and evaluating outcomes. The research is often pragmatic and has applicability to multiple disciplines.
Sustainability, environmental, and outdoor education research explores human-nature relationships and approaches to facilitating education on a range of social, cultural, environmental, and health issues. Research examines the processes and outcomes of experiences focused on learning about self, others, and natural/cultural histories, in contexts such as nature play with young children, school-based programs, pre-service teacher education programs, and other university courses. The experiential pedagogies used, such as fieldwork and place-based learning, feature strongly in our research.
Key Researchers: |
Dr Phyllis Araneo |
Dr Ali Black |
Robyn Fox |
Dr Noni Keys |
Dr Mandie Miller |
Brendon Munge |
Dr Luke Ryan |
Dr Joseph Scott |
Dr Glyn Thomas |
Educational psychology is the scientific study of how people learn and how teachers can foster such learning. In the School of Education and Tertiary Access at USC we couple this agenda with an emphasis on student and teacher well-being and resilience, and the creation of healthy learning environments. Our research methodologies vary according to context, drawing on a multiplicity of approaches.
Key Researchers: |
Dr Shelley Davidow |
Natalie McMaster |
Associate Professor Mike Nagel |
Majbritt Petersen |
Dr Tracey Sempowicz |
Dr Alison Willis |
Community and Regional Education research focuses on socio-cultural perspectives in teaching and learning which relate internally to the USC multi-campus network and externally to rural and remote teaching and learning environments. Outcomes within this area of research relate to driving knowledge and learning and building capacity within and across communities and regions.
Key researchers: |
Professor Shelley Dole |
Dericka Frost |
Dr Peter Grainger |
Dr Craig Johnston |
Dr Sharon Louth |
Natalie McMaster |
Tracey Sanderson |
Dr Alison Willis |
Our Educational Policy and Leadership research explores the experience of leadership, and policy-(re)formation in schools and education systems. It is enriched by theoretical investigation and research partnerships with practitioners. Key areas of focus include: activist approaches to educational policy; leadership practice; health and wellbeing of leaders; enacting change in educational policy and culture/s.
Key Researchers: |
Dr Susan Simon |
Dr Carol Smith |
Dr Alison Willis |
Tertiary access research focuses on transitioning to higher education, encompassing pathway and bridging programs, enabling courses, and the first-year experience in undergraduate programs. As research practitioners, we research to build our capacity for partnering with students from diverse social and educational backgrounds to improve their educational experiences and facilitate their success. Our research frameworks are underpinned by attention to social justice issues, equity and inclusion and recognise the transformative potential of education to expand students' skills, knowledge, opportunities and life choices.
Key researchers: |
Dr Bruno Basic |
Dr Aruna Devi |
Sandie Elsom |
Ann Robertson |
Dr Luke Ryan |
Erin Siostrom |
Janet Turley |
Judi Warmerdam |
Marguerite Westacott |