If you have a passion for sport and physical health and want to teach secondary students during their formative teenage years, The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree is ideal. It will give you the qualifications to teach Health & Physical Education to students aged from 12 to 17 years in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools. So contact us today to start making a difference.

Why study this degree?

Suppose you want to make a difference by improving high school-aged children's health, well-being and physical literacy. In that case, the Health & Physical Education degree, a four-year specialist teaching qualification, is a perfect choice.

In addition to the compulsory Health Science courses, you will complete nine general education courses to give you a well-rounded teaching qualification.

This degree will provide you with essential knowledge, and practical skills to enable you to teach others to manage their health and well-being through physical activity. This degree is also available with a primary education focus.

The Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree is an accredited initial teacher education program (AITSL). Graduates are eligible for professional accreditation with the Teacher Registration Board of WA to teach in Western Australian schools.

20 required courses – Health Sciences

• Health Communications
• Physical Activity and Health
• Human Structure and Function
• Physiology of Exercise
• Applications of Function Anatomy to PE
• Developmental Psychology
• Motor Development & Learning
• Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
• Sports Events Management for Teachers
• Adapted and Inclusive Practice in HPE
• Exercise Biomechanics
• Health Education One
• Health Education Two
• Outdoor Education One
• Outdoor Education Two
• Physical Performance Laboratory One
• Physical Performance Laboratory Two
• Physical Performance Laboratory Three
• Physical Performance Laboratory Four
• Physical Performance Laboratory Five

Nine required courses – Education

• Transforming Learning Through ICT
• Foundational Teaching Skills
• Introduction to Teaching and the Curriculum Framework
• Psychological Principles of Classroom Management
• Advanced Teaching Skills
• Internship Preparation
• Professional Responsibilities of the Teacher
• Educating Indigenous Students
• Transition to Teaching

Four teaching practicum placements

• Classroom Immersion – Two weeks
• School Experience One – Five weeks
• School Experience Two – 10 weeks
• Teaching Internship – 10 weeks

Additional courses for Secondary degree

• Teaching Methods (Minor Teaching Area)
• PLUS four electives courses from minor teaching area

Core Curriculum

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
  • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
  • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
  • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
  • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
  • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

Teachers graduating with a Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree will be able to work in Australian high schools as specialist Health & Physical Education teachers in high Catholic, Independent and Government schools or as Health Education Consultants.

Applicants must meet High school qualifications (or equivalent) to apply for undergraduate program. Academic minimum entry requirements for international applicants vary from country to count

IELTS Academic: 7.5 overall, with no score lower than 8.0 in speaking and listening, and no score lower than 7.0 in reading and writing