Home - ACU (The Australian Catholic University)

Site Navigation

Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Indigenous Studies)

Qualify as a generalist primary teacher with a particular focus on Indigenous education.

If you are Indigenous and want to make a difference, contributing to improving Indigenous education this is the right course for you.

This course is community-based, enabling you to live and work in your local community while you study how to teach each of the key learning areas of literacy, mathematics, science and technology. In addition you may elect to study religious education.


Summary

This course is not available for international students except in limited cases.

Domestic Students

wishing to commence in 2010

Available at these campuses

  • Brisbane, Queensland
  • Sydney (Strathfield), NSW

Course Duration

4 year program, normally offered over 5 years full-time, maximum 9 years.

Deferment

Deferment is available for two years. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information

Delivery mode

  • On Campus

Commencement date

  • Semester 1 - February

Course Costs

  • Average first year fee: $5310 Commonwealth Supported (indicative only)

Important Note on Fees

All costs are based on current rates. A student's annual fee may vary in accordance with their choice of major and electives. The University reviews fees annually.

Credit Points

320 Including completion of the Associate Degree in Indigenous Education (160 cp)

Applying for Admission

Domestic Students

Eligibility

An applicant must also comply with the Admission Rules.
Apply directly to Australian Catholic University.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an Indigenous Australian applicant must have successfully completed the Associate Degree in Indigenous Education, which covers the first two years of the course.

How to Apply

Apply via Direct Application below.

Direct Applications

Select your study location and fee-type option:

Brisbane - Commonwealth Supported
Delivery Mode:
On Campus
Strathfield - Commonwealth Supported
Delivery Mode:
On Campus
 

Description

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Indigenous Studies) course is specifically designed for, and is only available to, Australian Indigenous people. To begin this course, students must have completed the Associate Degree in Indigenous Education or its equivalent which comprises the first two years of the course.

This course is offered in mixed mode. Students are required to attend two compulsory residential schools on campus each semester and to complete course work and assignments within their home communities. Professional experience is also a compulsory component of the course and is taken in block-periods that may extend from 1 to 10 weeks in NSW and 1-6 weeks in Queensland.

Indigenous students may also study the early childhood programs in this mode.
This course is a teacher education degree designed to prepare primary teachers to teach in Catholic, independent and government schools. The course aims to facilitate within a Christian tradition, teachers who:

  1. are reflective;
  2. are culturally aware;
  3. are responsive individuals;
  4. think deeply and critically about the issues of education; and
  5. are committed to working justly and collaboratively to make a positive difference in the lives of their students.

In particular, the course is designed to enable Indigenous students to develop and value skills and attitudes that will enhance their learning in formal education settings and enable them to take their place alongside other teachers in schools and society. Graduates will be enabled to take an active part in the debates that inform a modern, democratic society and to serve the wider community in its ethical, spiritual and cultural development.

This course is designed to cover all curriculum areas but to have a particular focus on:

  1. Indigenous culture;
  2. literacy;
  3. mathematics education; and
  4. understanding Indigenous education.

Graduates will have relevant and current knowledge in their subject areas; an understanding of themselves as learners and educators, and demonstrate, practice and exemplify a commitment to lifelong learning. They will strive to be reflective, independent, flexible thinkers who are open to new ideas and ways of learning; understand the purpose of research and be able to undertake research in a range of professional settings; be able to identify student needs, and plan effectively for their learning, incorporating strategies to make the curriculum more culturally responsive, particularly to Indigenous students.


Professional Experience

Students must complete professional experience units during which time they are required to be available full-time.


Other Prerequisites to Undertaking this Course

Students accepting a place in this course are required to participate in a number of professional placements throughout their program. In order to participate in professional experience it is the responsibility of each student to ensure that they are able to successfully complete the child protection screening required in their state. A Working with Children Check is compulsory for each student. This enables participation in compulsory professional placement, a requirement for course completion. In Queensland this is called a Blue Card.


Contacts for Future Students

Domestic Students An Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa holder


Related Links