Course summary
A great teacher is to be cherished. Teachers can have lasting impact on the lives of their students, and the very best can inspire students toward greatness.
This combined degree qualifies you to teach up to two secondary subjects from among Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, English, Mathematics, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Physics, Modern History, Geography, Society and Culture and Aboriginal Studies.
Your foundation year will feature units across the general capabilities and broader school curriculum. This is in addition to core studies in literacy and numeracy, equity and diversity, supporting learners with diverse needs, assessment, and the use of information and communications technology in education.
You'll complete a program of in-school professional teaching experiences, culminating in an extended in-school development experience to demonstrate your capabilities as a secondary school teacher. As a graduate you'll be qualified to teach secondary school in Queensland and New South Wales. Please note your application must include a personal statement outlining your non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements.
Students can tailor the course to study two of the following teaching majors or one teaching major with a specialisation and electives.
Teaching majors (and locations: L = Lismore, O = Online)
- Biology (L, O)*
- Chemistry (L)
- Physics (O)
- Earth and Environmental Science (L, O)**
- English (O)
- Mathematics (O)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (L)
- Modern History (O)
- Geography (L, O)
- Society and Culture (for students who complete Modern History or Geography) (L, O)
The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is primarily delivered in online mode.
Please note: some units require attendance at on-campus workshops.
* Two units are each offered as a three-week intensive and both include one week at the University’s National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. Contact the University for more details.
** One unit is offered as a three-week intensive that includes a one-week field trip.
All students will need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the first professional experience placement.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate analytical thinking, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Demonstrate cognitive and technical skills which show broad understanding and depth relevant to the education profession. |
| Creativity | Demonstrate an ability to identify and solve problems with intellectual independence. Demonstrate an ability to develop innovative and creative responses to challenges in an educational setting. |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate knowledge of ethical, legal and human rights principles in education settings. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the relevant curriculum frameworks. Demonstrate a solid knowledge of the pedagogy of effective educational practice. |
| Lifelong learning | Demonstrate the capacity for self-reflective learning and critical thinking with responsibility and accountability in professional practice. Demonstrate skills in maintaining or advancing information and literacy skills to keep currency with pedagogical practice and professional development. |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate clearly, coherently and independently with exposition of knowledge and ideas in both oral and written forms. Demonstrate teamwork skills and leadership in professional and learning community settings. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement. |
Students complete a program of in-school professional teaching experiences during the course, culminating in an extended in-school development experience, to demonstrate their capabilities as secondary school teachers.
This course is currently undergoing its five-year reaccreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) for national accreditation through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, but students need to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding accreditation requirements.
All Initial Teacher Education students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). At Southern Cross University the test needs to be successfully completed prior to undertaking the first professional experience placement.
Course overview
Course code
3207311
Course abbreviation
BA/BEd (Sec)
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Domestic duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
International duration
4 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Session | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Gold Coast | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Lismore | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Online | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Domestic fees
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary), students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- 15 core units (180 credit points),
- 1 First Teaching Subject,
- the remaining units from an additional Teaching Subject, and/or electives, and
- both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.
Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will be at the discretion of the Dean of Education.
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Bachelor of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points).
Students may be eligible to exit with the Associate Degree of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points).
Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points).
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | Note 5 | Note 5 | |
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| ELECTIVE UNIT | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT I | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Study Period 1 | |||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 5 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 5 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT I | |||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 6 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 6 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | Note 5 | Note 5 | |
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| EDU10693 - Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of Young People | Advanced | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| BIO00209 - Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | Intermediate | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| BIO10493 - Motor Control | Intermediate | ||
| EDU01021 - Curriculum Specialisation: Personal Development, Health, Physical Education I | Intermediate | ||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| EDU10691 - Physical Education Studies I: Athletics and Aquatics | Intermediate | ||
| EDU01022 - Curriculum Specialisation: Personal Development, Health, Physical Education II (Lifestyle) | Advanced | ||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT Curriculum Specialisation Unit 1 | |||
| EDU10694 - Contemporary Health Issues for Young People | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| EDU10692 - Physical Education Studies II: Dance and Gymnastics | Intermediate | ||
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT Curriculum Specialisation Unit II | |||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | Note 5 | Note 5 | |
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | ||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 3 | |||
| GLY00232 - Coastal Biogeochemistry | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| CHE00073 - Environmental Chemistry | Intermediate | ||
| EDU01246 - Curriculum Specialisation: Science I | Intermediate | ||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | ||
| EDU01247 - Curriculum Specialisation: Science II | Advanced | ||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| EDU30007 - Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy I | Advanced | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT I | |||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| EDU30008 - Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy II | Advanced | ||
| SECOND TEACHING CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | ||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | Note 5 | Note 5 | |
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Study Period 6 | |||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT 1 | |||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 5 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 5 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT 1 | |||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| FIRST TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 6 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 6 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
| Year 5, Session 1 | |||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
| Elective Unit | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Study Period 6 | |||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| BIO00209 - Musculoskeletal Functional Anatomy | Intermediate | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| EDU10693 - Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of Young People | Advanced | ||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| EDU10691 - Physical Education Studies I: Athletics and Aquatics | Intermediate | ||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT 1 | |||
| EDU10694 - Contemporary Health Issues for Young People | Advanced | ||
| EDU01021 - Curriculum Specialisation: Personal Development, Health, Physical Education I | Intermediate | ||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| EDU10692 - Physical Education Studies II: Dance and Gymnastics | Intermediate | ||
| EDU01022 - Curriculum Specialisation: Personal Development, Health, Physical Education II (Lifestyle) | Advanced | ||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
Year 5, Session 1 |
|||
| BIO10493 - Motor Control | Intermediate | ||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| ENG10004 - Foundations: English | Introductory | ||
| HUM10001 - Foundations: Human Society and its Environments | Introductory | ||
| HEA10003 - Foundations: Personal Development, Health and Physical Education | Introductory | ||
| SCI10003 - Foundations: Science and Technology | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Study Period 6 | |||
| MAT10002 - Foundations: Mathematics and Numeracy | Introductory | ||
| ENG10010 - Foundations: Language & Literacy | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| CAR10003 - Foundations: The Arts | Introductory | ||
| EDU71002 - Foundations for Education | Introductory | ||
| BIO00201 - Biology | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 1 | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| CHE00201 - Chemistry | Introductory | ||
| BIO00202 - Ecology | Introductory | ||
| EDU20001 - Literacy, Assessment and Information & Communication Technology | Intermediate | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 2 | |||
| Year 2, Session 3 | |||
| GLY00232 - Coastal Biogeochemistry | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| CHE00073 - Environmental Chemistry | Intermediate | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 3 | |||
| EDU01246 - Curriculum Specialisation: Science I | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| BIO10124 - Ocean Change Biology | Advanced | ||
| EDU10514 - Understanding Children and Young People | Introductory | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT UNIT 4 | |||
| EDU01247 - Curriculum Specialisation: Science II | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| TCH10014 - Professional Experience I: Becoming a Teacher | Introductory | ||
| EDU30007 - Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy I | Advanced | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT I | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| BIO10126 - Marine Pollution | Advanced | ||
| TCH20001 - Professional Experience II: Effective Teaching | Intermediate | ||
| EDU30008 - Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy II | Advanced | ||
| SECOND TEACHING SUBJECT CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION UNIT II | |||
| Year 5, Session 1 | |||
| TCH30002 - Professional Experience III: Transition to the Profession | Advanced | ||
| EDU10712 - Supporting Learners with Diverse Abilities | Intermediate | ||
| EDU83003 - Inclusive Teaching | Advanced | ||
Notes
| Note 1: | Students who complete Geography and Modern History, Geography and Society and Culture, or Modern History and Society and Culture or Modern History and Aboriginal Studies or Geography and Aboriginal Studies need to complete the following two units: EDU30007 Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy I and EDU30008 Advanced Secondary Curriculum Pedagogy II. |
| Note 2: | Society and Culture or Aboriginal Studies needs to be completed with either Modern History or Geography. Where units remain, another teaching subject may also be completed, e.g. English. For further information, please contact the Student Advice Team. |
| Note 3: | Enrolment in units in the PDHPE and Science streams may require attendance at classes on campus. |
| Note 4: | Students undertaking the Elective option must complete at least 6 Advanced Units throughout the course. |
| Note 5: | Alternate course progressions may be available depending upon your Teaching Subjects. Please contact the Student Advice Team for more information. |