Skip to content
Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

161510 v.8 Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education)

BEd(Curtin) OR BEd(Hons)(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 003910D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor honours degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications. The honours component prepares students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This pre-service course provides a qualification for those intending to teach at the secondary level of education. It prepares graduates to teach students aged 12 years and over in secondary schools. During the first three years of the degree, students are required to study at least two secondary school learning areas, such as History, Maths or Science. An important part of this degree is at least 17 weeks of teaching internship.


Professional Recognition

This course is recognised nationally and internationally as an initial pre-service teaching qualification.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways. Admission to the Honours stream is by invitation and follows high achievement within this bachelor degree.


Applicants require study in a TEE subject appropriate to teaching area. For teaching maths, Applicable Mathematics and/or Calculus are desirable. STAT elements considered are E, V and Q.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates with a bachelor degree may qualify for entry to some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master by coursework degrees. Graduates with a bachelor degree with honours may also qualify for entry to a master or doctorate by research. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Specific Course Completion Details

The School of Education requires all Secondary Education students to pass a literacy competence test in the first year of the Course.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Students will need a Working with Children card and a Criminal History Record Check before they attend a school placement in Semester 1.



Course Organisation

Embedded bachelor honours degrees typically comprise an honours stream equivalent to one year of full-time study undertaken during the last year (or two) of study.


This course includes professional practice units and optional units. Core studies are undertaken concurrently with optional units and electives. Units cater for the different needs of secondary students. In consultation with a course adviser, students select sequenced pathways designed to support and enrich individual knowledge and skills. Students are encouraged, where possible, to undertake electives from other areas of the University. During the first three years of the degree, students study at least two secondary school learning areas, such as History, Maths or Science. Students undertake at least 17 weeks of teaching internship. In the third year, students are selected for the honours program or continue with the standard course stream.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. make informed decisions regarding teaching and learning based on a comprehensive understanding of the learner and application of the curriculum

2. be reflective, creative and critical in the approach to teaching and learning

3. decide what information is needed and find it from a range of sources using appropriate technologies, Make valid judgements regarding teaching

4. communicate effectively and work collaboratively in educational contexts

5. use technologies appropriately to engage students ineffective learning and for other educational purposes

6. be self-motivated, critical, and reflective in their practice based on ongoing professional learning

7. think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives and apply international standards in teaching and other educational situations

8. teach effectively in ways that are responsive to the diverse needs of students through integrating socio-cultural context and values within educational scholarship and practice

9. demonstrate proficiency in the range of skills required by effective teachers, Apply high standards in all aspects of their work as teachers, Value professional and community partnerships and demonstrate leadership in education


Duration and Availability

This course is four years' full-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
301179 v.5   Child Development for Educators 151 3.0 25.0
307363 v.4   Introduction to Secondary Teaching 120 3.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
301184 v.6   Learning Theory for Educators 155 2.0 25.0
311444 v.1   Professional Practice in Secondary Education 125 3.0 25.0
311448 v.1   Teaching Literacy in Secondary Schools 135 2.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
312668 v.1   Technologies to Engage Learners 260 2.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
309300 v.3   Assessment in Secondary Schools 235 2.0 25.0
311445 v.1   Professional Practice in Secondary Education 225 2.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
309271 v.3   Inclusive Education 251 3.0 25.0
311446 v.2   Curriculum and Culture in Secondary Schools 310 2.0 25.0
309281 v.4   Teacher as Researcher 460 2.0 25.0
  SELECT ELECTIVE UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
305783 v.4   Honours Secondary Education Stream 200.0
  OR  
305784 v.3   Secondary Education Stream 200.0
  200.0
Year 4 Quarter 3
301192 v.4   Internship 425 100.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
311457 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- The Arts (Lower Secondary) 425 3.0 25.0
311458 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- English (Lower Secondary) 435 3.0 25.0
311459 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Languages (Lower Secondary) 445 3.0 25.0
311460 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Mathematics (Lower Secondary) 455 3.0 25.0
311461 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Science (Lower Secondary) 465 3.0 25.0
311462 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Society and Environment (Lower Secondary) 475 3.0 25.0
311464 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Vocational Education and Training 495 3.0 25.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
311450 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- The Arts (Upper Secondary) 420 3.0 25.0
311451 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- English (Upper Secondary) 430 3.0 25.0
311452 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Languages (Upper Secondary) 440 3.0 25.0
311453 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Mathematics (Upper Secondary) 450 3.0 25.0
311454 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Sciences (Upper Secondary) 460 3.0 25.0
311455 v.1   Curriculum and Instruction- Social Sciences (Upper Secondary) 470 3.0 25.0

*    These streams are undertaken over 2 semesters - Year 3, Semester 2; Year 4, Semester 1




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.