Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Course information for - 2024 entry
Offered at 2 locations
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 0102077
- IELTS
- 7.0 minimum score in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking
- Fees (first year)*
- $25568
- Start dates
- February 2024, July 2024, February 2025, July 2025, February 2026, July 2026
Overview
Step into our classroom, with world-leading experts, to become a leader in your own right. You will learn the craft of teaching from mentors across a wide range of educational contexts. Gain the confidence, skills, and practical experience to teach across all stages of secondary school in two teaching areas. These teaching areas enable the development of deep knowledge and highly effective classroom teaching. Build strength in your skills over time, from observing your mentor teacher, to co-teaching, through to planning for and teaching multiple classes a day. Studies may be extended by pairing this course with other degrees allowing you to graduate with diverse career options.
Achieve your goals with a scholarship.
A generous Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship is available to support new undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolling in an initial teacher education (ITE) program to help meet the costs of their study. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.
Get paid to learn with a Victorian Government ITE scholarship. Victorian students enrolling in a secondary school initial teacher education (ITE) program in 2024 or 2025 can apply to help cover the cost of studying. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here.
Professional experience
Gain expertise in your practicums over a total of 80 days in schools. Year 1: Community engagement in an educational setting, minimum of 35 hours. Year 2: 15 days, 15 days. Year 3: 15 days. Year 4: 5 days, 30 days.
Work placement
All initial teacher education programs must include a defined period of professional experience, where pre-service teachers practise teaching in a school under the direct supervision and guidance of an appropriately qualified teacher.
Supervised professional experience is at the heart of all our pre-service teacher education courses and the faculty will find appropriate placements to suit the needs of your course.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for registration as secondary teachers in government, independent, Catholic, and other faith-based schools. This program has been listed on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) accredited programs list and meets the teacher education component of the qualification requirement for registration (accreditation) as a secondary school teacher in all states and territories.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- secondary school education
- community centre education
- private colleges
- inclusive education settings
- policy development
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Education (Secondary), a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Course map
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has successfully completed the requirements of a course listed below may exit from the course with that qualification. Note that none of these qualifications qualify a student to teach in Australia.
- Non-Award Certificate in Educational Studies
- Diploma in Educational Studies (Tertiary Preparation)
- Bachelor of Educational Studies
- Diploma in Liberal Arts
- Certificate in Liberal Arts
A student who does not meet the LANTITE requirements may access an appropriate exit point if they meet the requirements of that award.
Overseas study available
Our undergraduate education students can undertake professional experience and community engagement in locations like Kiribati and Solomon Islands. Students work with communities to raise the level of student engagement and offer professional development to local teachers. This intensive professional learning for teachers increases flexibility and adaptability as an educator and provides a global perspective for a better understanding of differences within classrooms.
Entry requirements
View transparency admission information
International applicants
International students applying must have an IELTS minimum of 7.0 in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking.
English language requirements
A minimum of 7.0 in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 7.5 in listening and speaking.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for international applicants
If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.
Find out more about English language programs
Further study
ACU offers further opportunities to advance your education career.
| Master of Education/Graduate Certificate in Education | Enhances career advancement opportunities for teachers and other professionals engaged in lead educational roles such as education administrators, researchers, policy makers, career counsellors, psychologists, members of the defence forces, youth ministers and family/parish educators. |
| Master of Educational Leadership/Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership | Participants explore theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to their own contexts including Catholic and faith-based educational organisations defined as those organisations affiliated with a religious group or established Church. |
| Graduate Certificate in Religious Education | For primary and secondary school teachers who want to teach religion. |
Fees
Course costs
- Unit fee: $3196
- Average first year fee: $25568
- Estimate total cost: $102272
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
International applicants
Direct application
Apply nowInformation on the application procedure
International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.
Staff Profile
Dr Melissa Cain
National Head of Discipline for Secondary Education, School of Education
Dr Melissa Cain (SHFEA) is a senior lecturer in the School of Education at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane teaching units on Inclusive Education and Arts education. She is National Head of Discipline for Secondary Education and Course Coordinator for the suite of secondary teaching courses in Queensland. Melissa's doctorial research centred on the challenges teachers in Australia and Singapore face when implementing culturally diverse Arts education. Melissa's current research examines the voices of students with vision impairment at mainstream schools, learning the creative arts online, and the impact of teaching and learning in modern global times. Melissa has received several higher education teaching awards and is the recipient of the Callaway Doctoral Award.
Dr Kylie Kerr
First Year Course Coordinator (Melbourne), School of Education
Dr Kylie Kerr is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Australian Catholic University, Melbourne. Her research interests include the aims of education, Humanities education, and the role of education in human flourishing. Having taught Philosophy, English and the Humanities, Dr Kerr began her research career with an exploration of a Deweyan contribution to positive education. Her PhD work used qualitative methods to critically examine the philosophical underpinnings of positive education practices, including adolescent beliefs about success, the good life, and the purposes of schooling. Dr Kerr has subsequently explored the value of Humanities education and its contribution to flourishing, the nature of resilience, the teaching of controversial issues in schools, and the transformative role of education in nurturing global flourishing.
Testimonial
"I enjoy the freedom of university and ACU has given me the opportunity to be responsible for my own learning. I have also loved studying what I love. In comparison to high school, where your schooling is quite structured, ACU allows you to invest your time in subjects that you enjoy. My course also provided me with great communication skills due to the increase in classroom engagement in my teaching classes."