Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) – BEd(S) – is an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program, designed to meet the Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptors – professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement at undergraduate teacher level, equipping them for provisional registration as teachers in high schools.

Domestic students commencing any of AC’s Bachelor of Education courses in 2023 or 2024 may qualify for a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) or scholarships. Find out more.

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Course Description

Do you connect with the youth in your church? Are you excited about working with young people who want to reach their full potential? This course is for those who sense a calling to secondary (high) school teaching and is accredited by TEQSA and NESA. We tailor our learning and teaching to your individual needs, in small classes where you are known and mentored by your lecturer. Most students choose a blended learning delivery: on campus for a one-week face-to-face seminar for each subject and completing the remainder of your study online. However, all of our subjects can now be studied fully online.*

The BEd(S) – is a four-year pre-service teacher education program, designed to meet the Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptors – professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement at undergraduate teacher level, equipping students for provisional registration as teachers in high schools. It provides a core of knowledge and understanding and pedagogy for the student’s area of specialisation and professional experience. Candidates will complete two designated teaching specialisations from the following learning areas or subjects: English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Religious Studies. Through a university partnership, you may also choose subjects or specialisations from other disciplines. Your skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication will be developed, and you will be equipped with theoretical knowledge in curriculum development and pedagogy, as well as skills in education areas, to equip you for classroom teaching.

*With the exception of the professional experience placements.

Course Highlights

You can apply to study in one of our “Hubs” with partner schools. This complements our regular practical placements, which you can complete in a range of local or international schools. The hub model is an apprenticeship style of "on the job" learning where a student becomes part of a local school and has a mentor teacher. AC pioneers this program, based on the internationally renowned Clinical Teaching Model, for training the next generation of teachers. This is a global first initiative which flips the conventional educational structures and trains students onsite in partner schools.

This course structure applies to students admitted into the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) from Semester 1 2024 onwards. For previous iterations, please view the Student Handbook.

The course structure is based on eight semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in each semester. A placement block of four weeks is included in each semester. This is separate to 13 weeks of academic study. The course consists of:

10 cp from Christian Studies
120 cp from Education Specific units
40 cp from Curriculum Studies
60 cp Discipline Studies – Major
40 cp Discipline Studies - Minor
30 cp Professional Experience
20 cp from any Alphacrucis faculty course (elective)

CRS235 Curriculum Studies - Visual Arts: Part A

CRS240 Curriculum Studies - Music: Part A

CRS241 Curriculum Studies - Drama: Part A

CRS250 Curriculum Studies - Commerce

CRS330 Curriculum Studies - English: Part B

CRS331 Curriculum Studies - Personal Development, Health and Physical Education: Part B

CRS332 Curriculum Studies - Geography: Part B

CRS333 Curriculum Studies - History: Part B

CRS334 Curriculum Studies - Mathematics: Part B

CRS335 Curriculum Studies - Visual Arts: Part B

CRS338 Curriculum Studies - Information Processes and Technology

CRS340 Curriculum Studies - Music: Part B

CRS341 Curriculum Studies - Drama: Part B

CRS350 Curriculum Studies - Business Studies

CRS352 Curriculum Studies - Studies of Religion

For a full list of elective subjects please view the full list of subjects for this course.

For more information please see the student handbook for this course.

Admission Criteria

Academic Entry Requirements

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

Applicants admitted on the basis of their recent secondary education must demonstrate the completion of NSW Higher School Certificate with an ATAR of no less than 65 (or the completion of the interstate or overseas equivalent qualification and result) for admission into this course. This must include a minimum of three Band 5 HSC results, including one in English and a Band 4 in Mathematics. Students who do not meet these requirements are granted provisional entry and must pass the first 8 units of the course before progressing into their second year.

Special admission is also available for Year 12 students whose ATAR (or equivalent) falls within 5 points of the published lowest ATAR to receive an offer but have done well in subjects relevant to the course of study. These Special Admission Pathways are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director and then tabled for approval by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a complete Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification (Certificate IV or higher) are advised to seek entry through AC’s admission pathways.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a complete or partially complete higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of an AQF Level 5 Higher Education Diploma qualification (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

If you are over the age of 21 at the time of commencement, you can apply for admission into this course on the basis of provisional entry, and complete the provisional entry qualifying period to become a full candidate.

Language

If English is not the applicant’s first language or if their first degree was awarded in a non-English speaking nation, they will be required to show proficiency in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (or equivalent). Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.5 (with no score below 7 in any of the four skills areas, and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening), either on entry to or on graduation from the program. For full details of the policy on the ‘English Language Proficiency for Teachers see the NESA English Language Proficiency Policy.

IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have successfully completed at least two years of full-time study (or equivalent) of a secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher, where the medium of study was English and completed no earlier than two years prior to the commencement of the course of study to which the student seeks admission.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the International Student Office if they are unsure of the equivalence of their English language proficiency test scores.

Essential Requirements for Admission

Pre-admission student statement of motivation and/or interview or student statement of motivation: All students complete a statement of motivation to demonstrate suitability to teaching. This statement aims to assess the key capabilities associated with successful teaching. In cases where students do not present a strong motivation then the Director of Studies or Course Convenor conducts a pre-admission interview (either face-to-face or phone or via video conference) with them. All international students are interviewed.

Literacy and Numeracy Test: AC students are required to sit the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) at least once in their first year and to have passed this prior to their final Professional Experience Placement.

Child Protection Check: NSW students are required to complete the Working with Children Check online. Students are classified a ‘volunteer’ in Education. Students who will undertake their professional experience in other states need to complete the equivalent check. This should be completed prior to census date in their first semester.

Anaphylaxis e-Training: Training is provided free online by the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) http://etraining.allergy.org.au/ On completion of the online module participants receive a certificate of completion which must be included with your application. The training is required to be successfully undertaken every two years. This is the only training for anaphylaxis management in schools that New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) will accept. Students are required to complete this prior to their first Professional Experience.

NSW Department of Education Child Protection Awareness Training: All students are required to complete the NSW Department of Education Child Protection Awareness Training (or the training required by their state) before enrolling in a Professional Experience unit. Students who have met the academic and essential entry requirements can progress into the course prior to completing this training.

For Teaching School Hub Applicants

To be considered as part of a teaching school hub you should first enquire/apply with your preferred teaching school. This is a separate application to applying with AC. As teaching school hub places are in high-demand, there are limited places so it's advised you should apply early to the school(s) that you'd like to be placed with. Regardless of whether you are successful or not with your Hub application, you can still study a teaching course with AC as long as you meet the admission criteria as mentioned above.

Below are the 2024 Application Deadlines for Teaching School Hubs and links to their websites to apply.

7th September 2023 - Sydney Christian Schools Teaching Hub
22nd September 2023 - Christian Education Ministries (CEM) Teaching Training School
22nd September 2023 - Tasmanian Christian Education Network (CEN) Teaching Hub
11th October 2023 - Teaching Schools Alliance Sydney Teaching Hub
1st November 2023 - St Philip’s Teaching School
Confirm with school – King’s College Teaching School

Study Modes

Locations: Online, Teaching School Hubs and Placements
Full-time Duration: 4 years
Part-time Duration: Up to 12 years
2024 Intakes: Sem 1, Sem 2

See the timetable to confirm individual subject location, delivery type and other details.

Professional Experience Placement subjects are delivered face-to-face only.

Fees & Timetable

Fee-Help information and a complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students, please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Demonstrate:

A broad and coherent knowledge of teaching, learning and schooling with depth of knowledge in the underlying principles and concepts of key areas.
Integrate personal and professional beliefs into a worldview that strengthens their professional practice and influence as teachers.

Skills

Demonstrated ability to:

Critically review, analyse and interpret theory and practice, and synthesise key findings and observations.
Apply critical thinking and sound judgement in identifying and creatively solving problems with intellectual independence.
Communicate independent, respectful and coherent ideas that demonstrate an in-depth understanding of knowledge and ideas.
Engage in critical reflection and rational inquiry to contribute to scholarship and evidence-based practice in education.

Application of Skills and Knowledge

Demonstrated ability to:

Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice.
Design, implement and evaluate engaging and quality learning experiences that respond to diversity and unique learner needs.
Design, implement and evaluate assessments that respond to diversity and unique learner needs.
Create, manage and sustain safe, respectful and supportive learning environments.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) may find employment in schools (faith-based, government and non-government schools), not-for-profit and mission-focused organisations, community service-orientated positions, and positions that require research skills, academic knowledge, practical experience and critical thinking. This includes careers such as corporate trainers and development managers, curriculum consultants and developers, educational administrators, educational researchers, government policy advisers, community educators, education publication writers or editors, or education policy analysts. Additionally, graduates may progress further along the pathway toward Level 8 and 9 (postgraduate studies) upon completion of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary).

Student Story

“It is refreshing and encouraging to be able to learn to teach through the Teaching School Alliance, and to be able to have hands-on experience under a mentor teacher in my first year of study. I was so fortunate to have great teachers around me in my schooling and to be helped to develop academically and beyond. I want to be able to help other students grow academically and personally, as a way to thank my own teachers and to honour them, but also to work in a way that serves others, and contributes to God’s bigger picture.”

Joshua Hales,

Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Student

Work-integrated Learning

To qualify for award of the degree of Bachelor of Education (Secondary), all teacher education students will complete 3 subject (30 credit points) of Professional Placement and 10 Observation Days included in EDU117:

EXP210 Professional Experience 1
EXP313 Professional Experience 3
EXP314 Professional Experience 4

In addition, the teacher education student, once admitted into the course, may apply for a Clinical Teaching Module (CTM) placement. This is a mode of study that places the student, typically one day a week in a host school under a Host Coach(es), where they can practice their new skills and understanding without the pressures of assessment. They are encouraged to seek modifications to many of their subject assignments for their CTM context and so create synergy with their CTM commitment and their academic study.

Professional Accreditation

Please see Applying for Accreditation with NESA for more information.

Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 099281A