At The University of Notre Dame Australia, we are committed to helping students become professionals who are in great demand in the workforce and this is especially true of our Education programs. The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) provides students with the qualifications to work with students aged from 12 to 17 years in Catholic, Independent and Government schools. As part of your studies, you will complete 32 weeks of school-based practical experience and also choose a Major and Specialisation teaching area.

Why study this degree?

Our Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is a well-rounded undergraduate program that combines theory, the latest teaching technology, and plenty of hands-on classroom experience. Working from a rigorous and practical curriculum, you will acquire the academic skills needed to teach secondary school students. In addition, you will be required to choose one major teaching area such as English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science or Religious Education. You will complete eight courses in your chosen major area, plus four courses in your chosen area of specialisation.

An integral part of your degree is the 32 weeks of supervised teaching (practicum) experience. This is divided into two weeks of classroom immersion and teacher assistance in your first year; one term with a special focus on your Learning Area Major in both your second and third years; one term with a special focus on your Learning Area Specialisation in your third year; and an internship in your final year which focuses on both your Learning Area Major and Specialisation, as well as Religious Education if you have chosen to complete your accreditation to teach Religious Education.

Year One

• Information Literacy Skills for Education Studies
• Introduction to ICT for Teachers
• Introduction to Teaching and the Curriculum Framework
• Developmental Psychology
• Classroom Immersion: Secondary (two weeks of classroom immersion and teacher assistance)
• Psychological Principles of Classroom Management
• Three Major Teaching Area Subjects
• One Specialisation Teaching Area Subject

Year Two

• Foundational Teaching Skills
• Catering for Difference
• School Experience 1: Secondary (10 weeks of school experience with special focus on your Learning Area Major/Specialisation)
• Transforming Learning Through ICT
• Teaching Method Major
• Education, Service & Community Engagement
• Principles of Secondary Religious Education 1
• Two Major Teaching Area Subjects
• One Specialisation Teaching Area Subject

Year Three

• Contemporary Issues in Secondary Schooling
• Teaching and Learning Strategies for Adolescents
• School Experience 2: Secondary (10 weeks of school experience with special focus on your Learning Area Major/Specialisation)
• Advanced Teaching Skills
• Teaching Method Specialisation
• Liturgy and Sacraments
• Two Major Teaching Area Subjects
• One Specialisation Teaching Area Subject

Year Four

• Principles of Secondary Religious Education 2
• Preparing for Internship and Transition
• Scripture and Church
• Working with Indigenous Students
• Professional and Legal Responsibilities of the Teacher
• Christology
• Teaching Internship: Secondary (10 weeks of school experience with an integrated program of teaching in both Learning Area Majors/Specialisations and Religious Education)
• One Major Teaching Area Subject
• One Specialisation Teaching Area Subject

Subject Major and Specialisations

• Human Behaviour
• Media
• English
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Religious Education
• Science
• Drama

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.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

The following careers are open to graduates of this program:

• Independent schools
• Government schools
• Catholic schools

Professional accreditation:

Teachers’ Registration Board of Western Australia.

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

A minimum overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic, with no score lower than 8.0 in speaking and listening, and no score lower than 7.0 in reading and writing.