Bachelor of Teaching/
Bachelor of Arts (Ourimbah Campus)

Summary

Enrolment Grid Primary

Enrolment Grid Secondary

The Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts program prepares students to teach in primary schools or in secondary schools in the area of English (with a second teaching area in History or Drama).

This double degree program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for the teaching profession and at the same time develop strengths in the area of the teaching specialisation. A feature of the double degree comes from the interaction of teacher education students with students from other degrees, especially Arts and Social Sciences. The study of common courses allows for broader understanding and provides opportunities for a range of alternative careers.

The Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts is a four year full-time (or equivalent part-time) program. The specialisations of Primary teaching, Secondary English teaching and Special Education are offered by the School of Humanities at the Ourimbah campus.

Career opportunities

Graduates qualify for employment with the NSW Department of Education and Training, and Catholic and Independent schools. They may also gain employment in other areas such as administration, marketing, training or journalism.

Entry requirements

Assumed knowledge: Two units of English.

Additional entry requirements: All teacher education students must complete a Working with Children Check and a Prohibited Employment Declaration to be able to undertake practical course requirements.

How to apply

Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on:

• previous Year 12 studies and/or
• Higher education, tertiary or post-secondary qualifications and/or
• Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
• Relevant vocational experience.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:
- an Australian Year 12 in Australia
- an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
- an International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC.
Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions.
Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirements.

Description

IMPORTANT! You must read the Undergraduate Degree Rules. Click here to view.

The Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts degree is a four year integrated double degree program that prepares students for one of the following teaching areas: Secondary English (with Drama or History) and Primary. It is administered and conducted on the Ourimbah Campus.

Credit Transfer Agreements

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University’s website, at www.newcastle.edu.au/credit/

Program Structure

The program requires the completion of 320 units.

Prescribed Sequence

Many course areas require students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses. This means that students must enroll in courses in a particular order to satisfy the requirements. Such requirements are mandatory when they lead to professional accreditation or when they involve the progressive acquisition of knowledge and/or skills. Before enrolling, students must consult the School responsible for the course area to ensure that they are satisfying its requirements. Failure to undertake courses in the required sequence may result in timetable clashes and/or inability to complete the award in the minimum time.

Program Requirements - General

Professional Experience and Internship

The professional experience and internship courses for each specialization area in all double degree programs must be completed in the prescribed sequence, with at least one professional experience course relating to the specialization of the Internship. All students will be required to complete Child Protection Training before being allowed into schools. Additionally all students must sign a declaration stating they are not a prohibited person before being allowed into schools or other service organizations. Students must complete the professional experience courses in the prescribed sequence. Students are required to do practicum components as part of their program and may be required to do these at various times throughout the program.

The Internship in the double degree programs can only be undertaken after the successful completion of 270 units of double degree specialisation, including required practica, prior to the semester of internship enrolment.

Department of Education and Training requirements

Prior to graduation the Department of Education and Training requires evidence that students have developed computer competencies in the areas of basic skills and pedagogy. Students are required to satisfactorily demonstrate these competencies in the program.

Special Education

Students may apply to complete an alternative program commencing in Year 4 in order to qualify for employment as a Special Education teacher, in addition to qualifying in the chosen area of specialisation (Primary or Secondary).

Honours-Double Degree Programs

To qualify for admission to the double degree with Honours in Teaching, a student must achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) equal to or greater than 5.5 over the final two years of their program.

From 2009, for students entering their third year of study embedded honours will be assessed under the new rules.

Approved Courses

Not all courses will be offered each semester. To establish offer status click on the course code for the course and follow the links to timetabling information.

Program Requirements - Primary Teaching

In the Education component of the degree, students will undertake courses offered under four strands: Learners and learning (including Special Education), Teaching, Specialist Curriculum/Teaching Method, and Professional Experience. The Arts component consists of some prescribed courses as foundation subjects for specific KLA study and at least 40 units in a particular key learning area.

Key Learning Area (KLA) Discipline Study:

Course areas available for KLA study on the Ourimbah Campus include: English, Government & Society, Creative Arts, Australia Asia - Pacific studies and Sociology & Anthropology in the School of Humanities & Social Science as well as courses available in Ourimbah Campus Faculties of Science& IT, Health & Business and Law. KLA choices vary each year. See Program Coordinator for recommendations.

• 2 x 1000 level primary Teaching KLA courses (INFO1010 must be completed by Primary students to meet requirements of computer competencies).
• 5 x 2000 & 3000 level Primary Teaching KLA courses
• Secondary Teaching KLA courses

Special Education

Students may elect to complete an alternative program commencing in Year 4 in order to qualify for employment as a Special Education teacher in addition to their first specialisation.

Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts - Primary/Special Education (Ourimbah Campus only)

This option is open to all students at the 4000 level completing the Primary specialisation.

Program Requirements - English Teaching

This specialisation prepares students for teaching English at the secondary level with a second method in Drama or History. Students undertake an Education and an Arts component in the program.

In the Education component courses will be offered under four strands: Teaching; Learners and Learning (including Special Education); Specialist Curriculum/Teaching Method and Professional Experience.

The Arts component consists of 90 units of courses to support the first teaching method (English) and additional 50 units of study in an area that supports a second teaching area (either Drama or History). It is not necessary for Secondary English teachers to take a second teaching area and therefore candidates may choose to do more than 90 units in English. However it is recommended that students have a second teaching area to enhance their employment opportunities as teachers.

The following table sets out the approved program for students commencing in 2005. Continuing students should contact the Program Convenor for advice on course selection. Please consult the Program Convenor in the School of Humanities for further information.

Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts - Secondary English/Special Education Specialisations (Ourimbah Campus only)

This option is open to all students at the 4000 level completing a secondary specialisation.

Schedule

The relevant program schedule is available within the Degree Rules and Schedules section of the Policy Library.