Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences - Geography)

On completion of the degree students will be able to:

1. apply discipline knowledge, principles and concepts associated with effective teaching of secondary school students
2. critically evaluate and synthesise theory, research and practice to apply knowledge of the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and across the full range of abilities to enhance learning
3. assess student learning and analyse diverse sources of data to support valid judgements of student learning
4. plan and deliver effective teaching and learning experiences with demonstrated impact
5. select, curate, use and create a range of digital resources and technologies to support learning and teaching
6. demonstrate responsibility and accountability for being a life-long learner, identify and engage in professional learning; demonstrate personal literacy and numeracy competencies to the required accreditation standard
7. engage in a continual cycle of improvement through critical and reflective practices including those based on local, national and global research and evidence-based practices
8. create, lead and maintain positive learning environments for all students, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds
9. communicate professionally and engage collaboratively with colleagues, students, parent/carers, and the community.

Applications for Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education) Geography major are only accepted for commencement in SP1 or SP3. Students wishing to commence their studies in other study periods can do so by enrolling in the Level 1 Open Enrolment Subjects.

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education) Geography major is designed for people seeking to attain an Initial Teacher Education qualification in order to register as a teacher in Australia and any other countries that recognise an Australian teaching qualification. Students will develop advanced critical skills, knowledge and understanding concerning best practice in education and in meeting the needs of 21st century learners. Students will have four opportunities to engage in professional practice in schools, culminating in a final professional placement of a block one full school term.

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education) Geography major will be chosen by those who wish to teach in Secondary schools in Years 7 - 12. Students in this degree will specialise in one Secondary school curriculum area and will be qualified to teach Years 7 to 12 in this major teaching area.

Please Note: The teaching areas offered in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) are: The Arts (Visual Arts), English and Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography).Applicants for admission will be required to choose their major teaching area from those offered.

Please note that this course is only available to applicants who are residing in Australia for the duration of their degree. As this course doesn’t hold CRICOS registration international students on a Student VISA are not permitted to undertake this course.

Recommended study pattern

The degree has been designed to be sequential and developmental in nature, meaning that students are expected to complete core and major subjects in each level of the degree before progressing to the subjects of the next level. For example, all level one core subjects should be completed prior to enrolling in any level two core subjects and students should have completed level one and two major subjects prior to enrolling in any level three major subjects. Students must complete any prerequisite subjects required.

The standard full-time study load is two subjects per study period.

See the enrolment planner below.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (HASS) enrolment planner (XLS)

Award requirements

Students must successfully complete all subjects. There are 29 subjects in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education). These are comprised of:

• Core Secondary education subjects
• Core Professional Experience subjects requiring block placements in school settings, including a final Internship placement of at least 50 consecutive days (1 full term)
• Major subjects (relating to the Major Teaching Area chosen on admission)
• 4 specified Elective subjects

Students must successfully complete all core, major and elective subjects in the degree prior to undertaking the Internship. Students will need specific clearance from Curtin University’s School of Education prior to enrolling in this subject.

Please note that students can be terminated from this degree if they fail to make satisfactory progress.

LANTITE Completion Requirement

Students are required to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE) prior to completing their degree. The test is managed by ACER and details of the test (for example, sample questions, the Test Window dates, and registration) can be found at: ACER Teacher Education Test. Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with taking these tests, which are a national requirement applicable to all teaching graduates. Students are expected to have successfully completed the LANTITE between the first and third professional experience subjects in their course.

Choose your subjects

Majors

You can download an enrolment planner via the link below that will allow you to determine the recommended sequence of enrolment based on the major you have selected and the study period in which you commenced your enrolment.

Subjects will not generally be offered in every study period and may not be available at the time that you wish to study them. Your progression in the degree may be impacted if you do not follow the recommended sequence of enrolment. If you wish to enrol in a part-time load then please select one unit from the two listed for each study period.

Electives

Students will complete four specified elective subjects. These subjects must be selected from the list specified by Curtin University’s School of Education.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Secondary Education Subjects - Level 1 Unrestricted

• Secondary Education Subjects – Level 2 Restricted

• Secondary Education Subjects – Level 3 Restricted

• Secondary Education Subjects – Level 4 Restricted

• HASS Geography Education Major

• Specified Elective Subjects

2024 Changes:

The following specified electives will be offered from 2024: 

• EDC430 Teaching About Jesus in Catholic Schools
• EDC435 Teaching About the Gospels in Catholic Schools

  They will replace the following, which will no longer be offered in 2024: 

• EDC483 An Introduction to Catholic Education
• EDC485 Prayer and Morality in Catholic Studies

 Students who have completed the above subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees. 

2020 Changes:

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences - Geography) major has undergone major change in 2019 and again in 2020.

The new degree structure implemented in 2019 included new subjects, updated subjects (which had changed titles and/or codes) and changes to the structure to better distribute the Professional Experience subjects throughout the degree.

The new degree structure to be implemented from 2020 includes new subjects, updated subjects (which have changed titles) and changes to the recommended sequence of subjects to ensure that students are able to progress with a full-time enrolment. This last change has resulted in some subjects being recommended in a different year level.

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences - Geography) prior to 2020 who need to undertake new subjects will not be disadvantaged by these changes. Those who have been following the recommended study pattern for their Major will not have their degree lengthened as a result of these changes.

Transitional arrangements for existing students will depend upon:

a) the major selected on admission to the degree; and

b) the subjects already successfully completed (or for which credit has been granted) prior to 2020.

The Transition Tables below show all subjects in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) that have been removed from the structure or undergone change since the degree commenced in 2017, and they show details of the recommended replacement subjects. Transitional Enrolment Planners are also provided below, to assist students to plan their own transitional arrangements.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) Transition Tables 2020 (PDF, 123Kb)

English Transition Plan for students admitted prior to 2020 (XLS, 51Kb)

It is important to note:

• Replacement subjects are not necessarily equivalent to the old subject
• Replacement subjects may be offered in different study periods to the old subject
• Transitional enrolment planners are only suitable for use by students who were admitted to the degree prior to SP1 2020
• Students must take care to use the appropriate Transitional enrolment planner for the Major they have selected (and notified Curtin OUA prior to 2020)

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $25,391

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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This degree has four open enrolment subjects, which students may enrol into without submitting an Application Form. These subjects are: EDC105, EDC135, EDS107 and EDS110.

Students who successfully complete at least two of these open enrolment subjects will meet academic entry requirements for admission to the restricted Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) degree. They will still be required to satisfy all other eligibility criteria.

Open enrolment subjects as electives in other degrees

Students who do not satisfy all of the Eligibility requirements for this degree or students who do not intend to apply for admission to this degree may study the Open enrolment subjects as electives. Please refer to the Award Requirements or Electives sections on your degree page for information about the maximum number of level 1 electives you may include in your degree.

Non-academic Entry Requirements for Teacher Entry

For entry to initial teacher education (ITE) degrees, you will need to meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements.

To meet the non-academic entry requirements, applicants must demonstrate they have the key characteristics outlined by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) as the attributes and motivations common to effective teachers.

To demonstrate this, you will need to complete an online questionnaire as part of your application. The questionnaire must be completed no more than 1 year prior to application.

Completing the online questionnaire

To complete the questionnaire you will require your TISC/OUA/Curtin ID and then follow the link to: Qualtrics Questionnaire

In the online questionnaire, you will be asked several questions to rate your motivation for teaching as well as your involvement in personal learning and/or leadership activities. You will also need to complete two written statements addressing the following categories:

• Category 1: Your Motivation and Suitability for Teaching
• Category 2: Your involvement in Personal Learning and Leadership Activities

Once submitted, you will not be able to log back in and change your responses, so please review your responses carefully before submitting.

Complete the questionnaire, review and then submit. Your responses will appear on the screen. Please download the PDF of these responses to your computer for use in your degree.

You will also receive an email confirming completion. Please attach this email to your application.

Assessment

Your responses in this questionnaire indicate the extent to which you meet the desired personal attributes for educators. Your profile in terms of these personal attributes will be considered along with the academic requirements for entry, when determining whether an offer of degree admission will be made. You will not receive individual results from this questionnaire, as there is no “pass or fail” mark: your results are considered holistically, in the same way as an interview for a job might be managed.

It is possible that your responses may show that the teaching profession may not be best suited to you right now. If this is the case, you should not consider this to be a personal failure in any way, and you are welcome to contact us to discuss your options.

Academic Entry Requirements

• Successful completion of four degree level subjects (equivalent to half a year full-time study) an Australian University (separate evidence of English competence is not required).

• Successful completion of two of the four OUA open enrolment subjects: EDC105, EDC135, EDS107 and EDS110 AND separate evidence of English proficiency OR
• Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level. (This satisfies the English language proficiency requirement.)

• Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent.
• Desirable subject pre-requisites: At least Mathematics Applications ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre Prerequisites

• Successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV AND separate evidence of English proficiency.

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Written English (WE) and Verbal and Quantitative (MC).
• Successful completion of Curtin’s UniReady Enabling Program
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which are equivalent to at least a half a year full-time study and which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution may be accepted as minimum academic entry requirements for this degree.

Additional information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• 50% minimum in English ATAR, English Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR (or equivalent)
• Successful completion of at least a half a year full-time (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian university
• Successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma, Advanced Diploma or an Associate Degree awarded by an Australian registered training organisation
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Written English (WE)*
• Achievement of the required score on the International English Language Testing System (Academic)* English proficiency test (or equivalent):
  • Listening 8.0
  • Reading 7.0
  • Writing 7.0
  • Speaking 8.0
  • Overall score 7.5

* Please note these tests are only valid for two years.

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes.***

Please note:Curtin School of Education courses embed both theory and professional experience within a unit. Credit for Curtin Professional Experience units requires a complex assessment that includes evaluation of how the unit learning outcomes have been met through both theoretical assessments and school-based application. The school-based application must meet Curtin requirements, which are informed by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

All students are required to complete four compulsory professional experience placements as part of designated subjects in the second, third and fourth year of the degree. These placements must be undertaken in a registered school where the language of instruction is English.

Placements must be undertaken on a full-time basis for the number of days shown in a continuous block and students need to plan carefully to ensure they are able to meet this commitment. There is a total of 90 days of professional experience in the degree, which satisfies all States' requirements for teacher registration.

No more than 50% of professional experience days may be undertaken in schools outside Australia.

None of the four professional experience placements can be broken or split into shorter periods.

The second year of the degree includes two professional experience subjects that require placements of 10 consecutive days and 15 consecutive days respectively. These two subjects are undertaken in consecutive study periods so that the placements are undertaken in the same calendar year in the same school. The third year professional experience subject contains a block placement of 15 consecutive days in a different school and the fourth year has a full school term Internship of at least 50 consecutive days in a third school. The final placement of 5 pre-visits and one full school term is the final subject in the degree and cannot be undertaken until all other subjects have been successfully completed. Clearance will be given to enrol in the Internship subject pending results of all other subjects in the degree.

Students must be able to complete placements in more than one school over the duration of the degree and will complete the majority of their professional experience in their major teaching area. Specific requirements for professional experience will be outlined in the Professional Experience Handbook. Students are expected to be able to travel a reasonable distance to these schools in order to undertake their placements. Students cannot complete their professional experience placement in an educational setting where there exists a conflict of interest. For example any setting in which the student or their close family members are employed or attend. Students are not permitted to be paid for a professional experience placement.

Further information about the professional experience placement requirements will be provided to students who have been admitted to the degree. Students who may seek to vary any of the stated conditions and requirements in the various professional experience subject handbooks must contact Professional.Experience@curtin.edu.au prior to enrolling in the subject.

In circumstances where the student is having difficulty securing a placement, Curtin University staff will assist and will seek input from the student to identify possibilities before making direct contact with the school. Students having difficulty should contact Curtin in sufficient time to ensure that they are not disadvantaged due to their personal inability to identify a site for professional experience.

To view the Professional Experience Calendar, please see below:

2024 Bachelor of Education Prof Exp Calendar (PDF)

2024 EDC450 PE4 The Internship Calendar (PDF)

Working with Children Clearances and Certifications

Students will be required to have a current and valid Working with Children Check as required in the state or country in which the placement provider is located. They will also need to meet any other relevant State requirements before engaging in any work with children or professional experience.

If students have any doubt about their eligibility to acquire these clearances they should contact the local Teacher Registration Authority.