Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - 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. critically and constructively reflect upon professional practice in education by demonstrating responsibility and accountability that makes a positive contribution to a more socially just society.
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.
10. identify and engage in professional learning and demonstrate personal literacy and numeracy competencies to the required accreditation standard.

Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. 

Applications for Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) (Humanities and Social Sciences Education - Geography) 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) 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. The teaching areas offered in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) are: The Arts (Visual Arts), English and Humanities and Social Sciences (Geography). 

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: 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 chosen from the list.

Students must successfully complete core, major and elective subjects 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.

• Open Enrolment Subjects - Level 1

• Restricted Subject - Level 1

• Restricted Subjects - Level 2

• Restricted Subjects - Level 3

• Restricted Subjects - Level 4

• HASS Education Major (Geography)

• Specified Elective Subjects

2025 Changes:

These transition arrangements may apply to any student who commenced study before SP1 2025. If you commenced study in SP1 2025 or later, you should follow the new degree structure.

Changes have been made to the degree structure and subjects including:

• Removing some subjects and adding new subjects to the structure;
• Changes to the recommended year level of some subjects; and
• Changes to the availabilities of subjects, meaning they will be available for enrolment in different study periods.

The Transition Tables below show subjects that will be changed in the new degree structure and recommendations regarding enrolment for transitioning students. A Transitional Enrolment Planner is also provided below, to help you to plan your own enrolment for the remainder of your degree. Transitional arrangements will depend upon the subjects already successfully completed (or for which credit has been granted) up to SP4 2024.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education) Transition Tables 2025 (will be available soon)

Secondary Education - [Major] Transition Planner for students admitted prior to 2025 (will be available soon)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Replacement subjects are not necessarily equivalent to the old subject and may be offered in different study periods to the old subject.
• You can only use the Transitional Enrolment Planner if you were admitted to the degree prior to SP1 2025.

For further information or advice regarding this change, please contact Curtin Connect at Ask Connect | Curtin University

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. 

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

Indicative total fee $27,985

The amounts shown here are 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 Teaching and Learning in the Digital World
• EDC135 Child Development for Educators
• EDC181 Communication Skills for Educators
• EDC190 Professional Teaching Practice 1

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.

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.

The non-academic suitability requirements will be assessed through the completion of an online questionnaire. This questionnaire is completed as part of the entry process, and you will need to demonstrate that you possess the key attributes and motivations associated with effective teaching. This is because all graduates from Initial Teacher Education courses are required to meet competencies associated with these attributes as outlined by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

For further information and access to the questionnaire follow the link to: Qualtrics Questionnaire

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, EDC181 and EDC190 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.

For further information please refer to English Language Requirements.

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at Study at Curtin.

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, one in each 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 first-year professional experience subject requires a placement of 10 consecutive days. The second-year and third-year professional experience subjects each contain block placements of 15 consecutive days and the fourth year has a full school term Internship of at least 50 consecutive days. 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 Calendars, please see below:

2025 Bachelor of Education Prof Exp Calendar (PDF)

2025 EDC450 PE4 The Internship Calendar (PDF)

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students will also be required to meet costs associated with Working with Children Checks and clearances and required assessments such as the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE).

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.