Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) and Arts
About the degree
The Bachelor of Education (Secondary: Humanities and Social Sciences) and Bachelor of Arts degrees offer students a qualification teaching in secondary schools. Students can study a range of disciplines and subject areas with the added opportunity to complete a second teaching area, including TESOL (Teaching English To Speakers of Other Languages) and Aboriginal studies. This five-year degree covers professional teaching, special education, international education, and information and communications technology. School observations and practice teaching are integral components of the professional experiences in this degree.
The first teaching area can be taken from these subject areas: Aboriginal studies; Ancient History; Commerce/Economics; English; Modern History; Drama; Languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Classical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek and Spanish. Students can also take a second teaching area from the list of subject areas above, as well as Geography, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Commerce/Business Studies or Mathematics.
Requirements for completion
In order to complete this combined degree, the students must complete 240cp worth of study as described in the unit of study table.
First year
In the first year, students begin the discipline and content studies for their respective teaching areas. Students are expected to complete at least 12 credit points worth of study for each potential teaching area, with priority given to their expected major and the Education core units, of which there is one each semester. Semester One provides an introduction to the work of teachers and teaching, and education more broadly while Semester Two is devoted to human development and education, focusing on children and adolescents.
Second Year
In second year, students are expected to continue their discipline and content studies in the second year. Students will be introduced to social, psychology and diversity perspective on Education. Pedagogical practices such as different teaching styles and best teaching practices are also explored.
Third Year
In third year, students are to complete curriculum studies within each teaching area and exploring teaching different subject areas. Students will learn the effects of information technology in a classroom. As well as complete their first 20 days of professional experience.
Fourth year
In fourth year, students will learn the importance of evidence-based teaching which related to the mandated professional standards of teaching. They will also learn about diversity in the classroom with two units on Aboriginal Education and Special Education. Students will also continue their teaching area studies including finishing their Bachelor of Arts major. 25 days of professional experience will also be completed.
Fifth year
In fifth year, students will have access to complete some general interest elections. Students will explore further into education areas of interest relating to current educational issues, global perspectives, Australian schooling systems, creativity and artistry, aboriginal community, cultural diversity, diverse needs or teaching international English. Two areas can actually become a third teaching area if so desired; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Aboriginal Studies. Students also complete their final internship with 35 days of professional experience.
Honours
Education Honours is an integrated program undertaken during the final three semesters of an undergraduate degree. It consists of two enrolled units Education Honours Preliminary (Year 4, Semester 2) and Education Honours dissertation (Year 5, Semester 2).
Contact and further information
Dr Alison Grove O’Grady
Phone: 02 9351 7044
Email: