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Bachelor of Education (Junior Primary and Primary)

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This program is not available externally.

Education brochure (PDF - 1099KB download Adobe Acrobat)

Aim

The program aims to develop skilled, committed and flexible education professionals who have the knowledge and pedagogical skills to promote effective and inclusive learning in junior primary and primary settings.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have one of the following qualifications:

Qualified for the SACE and:

• recorded achievement in five SACE subjects taken at Stage 2 level, and 
• included at least four Stage 2 subjects which are approved Higher Education Selection Subjects (HESS), and  
• obtained a competitive TER

Completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements

Completed the University Foundation Studies program

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission:

• English Language Test (see Note 1)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
    • Reading and writing - 6.0
    • Overall band score - 6.5
  • CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) (University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
    • Grade of C
  • CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) (University of Cambridge ESOL examination)
    • Grade of B
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
    • TOEFL iBT (internet based test) - 90 with no band less than 21
    • TOEFL PBT (paper based test) - 577 with TWE (test of written English) of 4.5
• English Language Programs
  • Successful completion of the CELUSA Academic English Program - Level 5
• Other qualifications
  • Successful completion of a secondary qualification in Australia within the last two years; or
  • Successful completion of at least one year of tertiary study in Australia within the last two years; or
  • Successful completion of one year of secondary or tertiary study conducted and completed in English within the last two years in a country in which English is commonly used, as determined by the University (see Note 2).

Note 1:  Results from IELTS, University of Cambridge ESOL examinations and TOEFL are valid for two years.
Note 2:  The University, through UniSA International, maintains a list of countries where English is commonly used and which would satisfy this criterion. This may include particular educational institutions within a given non-English speaking country where English is the language of instruction.
Note 3:  Where previous study was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution certifying that the language of instruction was English.

Applicants are advised that a successful criminal history screening clearance is required for all students prior to their undertaking any professional experience/practicum placement that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance will be provided with the letter of offer or may be viewed at the School of Education criminal history screening web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance may also be required for other courses, eg to enter any school, pre-school or childcare centre for any reason, including on placement, observation or visits, unless the students are already registered teachers.

Content/structure

The program is four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent, comprising 144 units distributed across four strands: Education Studies, Children's Learning and the Curriculum, General Studies and Electives. Students will complete a major in Education Studies which comprises three core courses, common to other undergraduate programs in Education, and a further five courses tailored to junior primary/primary teaching requirements. Learning Areas (Curriculum) comprises discrete courses in Learning Areas relevant to the core work of a generalist junior primary and primary teacher, and the physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of learners within these levels of schooling. General Studies provide opportunity for pre-service teachers to explore courses outside of education within a field of their own interest. The two electives comprise one Aboriginal Studies course, to be selected from a raft of courses, and one Professional Option elective which is to be selected from a raft of education-based courses offered in the School or Division.

Professional Recognition

Graduates will meet the academic requirement for registration as teachers in South Australia. However, applicants should note that there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia, which are outlined in the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004 and Teachers Registration and Standards. Regulations 2005.

Honours

The degree may be awarded with honours for meritorious performance. Students will be selected on academic merit at the end of their third year in accordance with University policy.

Fee information

Program requirements

Rules

1. Students are required to work sequentially through the core curriculum and practicum courses.
2. Credit will be considered for studies from incomplete awards, where comparable general, professional and curriculum studies have been completed within the previous ten years in a pre-service teacher education program from a recognised tertiary institution.
3. Students studying part-time should ensure they are available full-time during school hours for the practicum within the courses Professional Applications and Reflection 1, 2, 3 and 4. Dates will be specified in the practicum calendar on the School of Education website.
4. Students must adhere to the protocols for placement in the practicum which can be found on the School of Education website.

Notes

1. All students will be required to undertake a Professional Experience practicum in each year of the program. This is described in the program schedule as Professional Applications and Reflection (PAR). This title recognises that not only is the practicum an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills previously learned but it is also a context in which students will be assisted to reflect on their experiences. Such recognition takes into account current research and thinking about the processes involved in learning to become a teacher.
2. Students are selected into the Honours stream at the end of the third year in accordance with university policy. Students completing the Honours stream will enrol in EDUC 4172 Honours (Junior Primary, Primary) PAR A and EDUC 4098 Honours (Junior Primary, Primary) PAR B instead of EDUC 4099 Professional Applications and Reflection 4 plus the two electives.
3. The program may be taken part-time but classes are mainly held during the day.
4. Students will complete four general studies courses chosen from a range of general studies offerings currently accredited and available from within the Divisions of the University or outside the University as appropriate. A minimum of two courses is to be taken from the one field of study. Details of general studies and electives are available at Majors, minors/sub-majors information.
5. Electives: Students complete three electives, one of which must be the UniSA Free Elective course. All students complete at least one Free Elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. See undergraduate elective courses.
6. Elective 1 must be chosen from the following Aboriginal Studies courses from The Unaipon School:
   HUMS 1035 Aboriginal Cultures
   HUMS 1034 Contemporary Aboriginal Issues A
   HUMS 2010 Aborigines, History and Colonialism
   LANG 2007 Australian Society, Aboriginal Voices
7. Professional Option (Elective 2): Students should select a course from a range offered largely by the School of Education, which will provide opportunity for them to further extend their knowledge and skills in a particular learning area, education setting or educational pedagogy. This course will be located in the year in which students complete their final practicum. The list of courses available each year is published with enrolment information on the School of Education website.

Program director/s

• Dr Yvonne Zeegers (MBED - Junior Primary and Primary)

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