• synthesise their personal and professional beliefs into a worldview that enables them to be effective and ethical teachers;
• create quality learning experiences for all students;
• demonstrate the acquisition of a body of knowledge and skills specific to the creative and professional practice of chosen discipline areas;
• use personal competencies to enhance knowledge acquisition, communication, problem solving, creativity and sustainability;
• design, implement and evaluate curriculum and assessment for diverse learners;
• create sustainable, safe, respectful, socially just, and supportive learning environments;
• promote holistic wellbeing practices in personal and professional settings;
• address educational issues through research to improve teaching knowledge and practice;
• demonstrate and employ a philosophy of service and servant leadership in professional and personal spheres;
• reflect critically on professional practice, professional commitment, and ethical and moral responsibilities of the teaching profession.

There are many options for satisfying the entry requirements for our courses. An applicant needs to meet at least one of the following entry requirements to be given an offer to study at Avondale.

I have completed my secondary education in Australia or New Zealand and achieved:

• a selection rank of at least 63. A selection rank is calculated as the ATAR plus any adjustment factors that may be applicable; or
• a minimum of 24 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; or
• New Zealand Year 13 NCEA Level 3 results, identifying university entrance attainment; or
• appropriate scores in Avondale University-approved entrance exams; or
• the International Big Picture Learning Credential.

*Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.

I have completed a Vocational education and training (VET) course in Australia or New Zealand and achieved:

• an Australian Certificate IV or higher, or
• an equivalent New Zealand certificate, as approved by the Director, Student Administration Services.

I have already attended university in Australia or New Zealand and:

• successfully completed at least 2 units of a Bachelor’s degree; or
• completed a bridging or enabling course, or another recognised tertiary preparation course; or
• successfully completed at least three units of Avondale’s Undergraduate Certificate in University Preparation.

I have completed my secondary education or higher education qualification overseas:

• refer to the Admission Policy (HE) for specific information regarding both the minimum academic entry standards (Appendix 1) and the English language proficiency requirements (Appendix 2).

I have other work and life experience:

If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit Avondale University-approved entrance exams;

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic.

This course has additional entry requirements which are listed below:

Applicants must submit the Personal Statement for Initial Teaching Training (PSITE). The PSITE assesses the applicant’s suitability for becoming a teacher and consists of four questions with a maximum of 250 words per response.

If you plan to study any of the following secondary teaching areas, you must meet the relevant criteria for admission:

Chemistry

• Recent HSC Chemistry and Mathematics (Advanced) or equivalent; or
• Other qualifications may be acceptable. Students should contact the Course and Strand Convenor.

Mathematics

• Recent HSC Mathematics (Extension 1) or equivalent; or
• An alternative pathway is HSC Mathematics (Advanced) or equivalent plus MATH16400 General Mathematics.

Other qualifications may be acceptable. Students should contact the Course and Strand Convenor.

Music

Admission to the Avondale Conservatorium is by audition.

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Performance: AMEB Grade 6 (or equivalent) on instrument or voice; and
• Musicianship and/or Theory: AMEB Grade 4 (or equivalent).

Where an applicant does not meet the required minimum standard, admission is possible with other appropriate music experience upon approval from the Director of Music.

For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

To arrange an audition, email the Director of Music at [email protected].

International Students

This course is available to international students who meet the Australian government requirements for a student visa (subclass 500) to reside in Australia for the duration of the course.
* These students must study on campus in full-time mode to meet student visa requirements.
* International students in Australia on a student visa cannot enrol in this course by distance mode.
For information regarding visas refer to: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500.

This course is available online for international students who want to study from their home country.

International students on a visa other than a student visa with no study limitations, may choose to study full-time or part-time in any study mode.
(Students are considered a domestic student if they hold a permanent residency visa.)

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency one of the following:

1. achieving a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in reading and writing, and a minimum score of 8.0 in listening and speaking, or
2. one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE).

Advanced Standing

Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.

The Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) (BA/BTch (Sec)) consists of 32 units and requires 192 credit points (CPs) for completion. All units have a 6 CP value unless otherwise stated.

About this course

• This course is studied over 4 years in a full-time study load or equivalent part-time.
• Units can be studied either on campus or online although some units may not be available in both study modes.
• Some units may only be available in either odd or even years.
• Consultation with the Course and Strand Convenor when determining units to be undertaken, including availability, and order of enrolment is highly recommended.

Course Overview

The 32 units required to complete this course include:

• 1 Core Unit ~ All students must complete this unit
• 14 Discipline Units ~ Made up of Specialisations, Majors, Minors & Electives. These pre-set combinations are outlined in the Discipline Units and Combinations section below.
• 17 Education Units ~
  • 13 Core Units ~ All students must complete all 13 units.
  • 4 Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies (C&PS) units ~ aligning with the student’s chosen teaching area/s.

Core Unit

All students complete (WHPE1010) Foundations of Wellbeing. This unit is compulsory and provides students with a foundational understanding of holistic health.

Discipline Units and Combinations

Specialisation = either 8 or10 units

TAS Specialisation = 10, 13 or 14 units

Major = 6 or 8 units

Minor = 4 units

Students must achieve 14 discipline units usually using one of the following combinations to create two teaching areas. These can be modified with permission from the Course Convenor:

• One major and one minor – (6 + 4 units) + 4 electives
• Two majors ~ (6 + 6 units) + 2 electives
• Specialisation plus major ~ (8 + 6 units) + 0 electives
• Specialisation plus minor ~ (8 + 4 units) + 2 electives

• Specialisation plus minor ~ (10 + 4 units) + 0 electives
• TAS Specialisation 1 – (10 units) + 4 Electives (instead of a minor)
• TAS Specialisation 2 – (13 units) + 1 elective
• TAS Specialisation 3 – (14 units)
• HPE Specialisation (10 units – 2 units included in CORE units) + Major (6 Units)

Discipline Areas (or Teaching Areas)

The table below lists the discipline (or teaching) areas available for study. Y indicates where a specialisation (SN), major (MJ) or minor (MN) is available in each discipline area.

Technical and Applied Science (TAS) Specialisations

The options for TAS specialisations are as follows:

• **TAS Specialisation 1 ~ 10 units plus minor or electives (10 + 4 units)

This can be combined with a non-TAS minor or electives to total 14 units. Consultation with the Course Convenor and TAS Strand Convenor is recommended.

Students wanting to further specialise in TAS can elect to do one of the following TAS Specialisations:

• TAS Specialisation 2 ~ 13 units plus elective (13 +1 unit)
• TAS Specialisation 3 ~ 14 units (0 electives) ~ Home Economics only.

More detailed information about all the TAS Specialisations is included after the Specialisation, Major and Minor Unit Lists.

*Technology-based discipline areas

While these are included in the TAS specialisations, they can be studied independently and combined with other non-technology disciplines or teaching areas.

~ Non-NESA-approved Teaching Areas

These discipline areas can be studied to complement other teaching areas and/or career goals but are not approved NESA Teaching areas.

Non-Avondale disciplines and teaching areas

Teaching areas not offered by Avondale may be completed via cross institutional study after approval from the Course Convenor. These additional disciplines include but are not limited to:

Majors and minors from other degrees may be available, subject to timetable constraints and with the approval of the Course Convenor of the BA/BTch (Sec) and the Course Convenor of the Bachelor of Arts.

Education Units

Core Education Units

All students enrol in the core Education units listed below. These units cover a range of current educational topics designed to prepare pre-service teachers to successfully teach secondary school students. These are:

Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies (C&PS) Units

• C&PS units provide pre-service teachers with the opportunity to apply quality-teaching principles to specific teaching areas.
• C&PS units relevant to each teaching area are listed at the bottom of each Specialisation, Major and Minor unit list.
• C&PS units are selected according to the teaching areas chosen. Students normally complete two C&PS units for each of their teaching areas. In some teaching area combinations or where students only have one teaching area, four C&PS units may not be required, and electives may be substituted.
• Students with more or less than two teaching areas, should consult the Course Convenor in the selection of their C&PS units. C&PS units are offered on a two-year rotation as shown below:

Elective Units

Students are encouraged to use their elective units to strengthen their chosen teaching fields. Students may choose electives from any discipline area that is being offered to Education students or any undergraduate program, applicable to their year level. Students must select electives with due consideration to any pre-requisite requirements.

Professional Teaching Experience

Eight discipline units must be completed prior to the first scheduled professional teaching experience to ensure students have adequate knowledge to successfully complete their first teaching placement.

Cross Institutional Study

In some discipline areas, units are taken online through other universities. This is highlighted in the study area unit lists where applicable.

Winter School Units

Students enrolling in the Chaplaincy or Counselling Minor should note that some units are taught in an online study mode that includes a one week on-campus intensive (Winter School) which is a mandatory component of the unit. Students must ensure their availability (and eligibility to acquire a visitor VISA for overseas students) to attend.

Specialisations, Majors, and Minors

Ancient History Minor (4 units)

*If selecting HIST31100 for an Ancient History Minor, the content studied must be Medieval or Modern History.

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35122 and EDUC35103.

Biology Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35121 and EDUC35104.

Business Studies and Commerce Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35123 and EDUC35124.

Business Studies and Commerce Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35123 and EDUC35124.

Chaplaincy Minor (4 units)

As this is not a teaching area in NSW, students who complete this cluster of units do not complete any associated C&PS units. Elective units will replace these if needed to meet the required credit points to graduate.

Chemistry Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35121and EDUC35105.

Computing Technologies Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35140 and EDUC35141.

Counselling Minor (4 units)

As this is not a teaching area in NSW, students who complete this cluster of units do not complete any associated C&PS units. Elective units will replace these if needed to meet the required credit points to graduate.

English Specialisation (8 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35126 and EDUC35127.

English Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35126 and EDUC35127.

English Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35126 and EDUC35127.

Food Technology Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35142 and EDUC35143.

Food Technology Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35142 and EDUC35143.

Geography Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35128 and EDUC35129.

Health and Physical Education Specialisation (8 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35130 and EDUC35131.

The following units are a requirement of the HPE specialisation but are already completed as part of the core education requirements:

• WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing
• EDUC33101 Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Schools

Health and Physical Education Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35130 and EDUC35131.

The following units are a requirement of the HPE major but are already completed as part of the core education requirements:

• WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing
• EDUC33101 Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Schools

Industrial Technology Major (8 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35142 and EDUC35143.

Legal Studies Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35123 and EDUC35111.

Mathematics Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35132 and EDUC35133.

Mathematics Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35132 and EDUC35133.

Modern History Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35122 and EDUC35113.

Modern History Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35122 and EDUC35113.

Music Specialisation (10 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35134 and EDUC35135.

Music Major (8 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35134 and EDUC35135.

Outdoor Education Minor (4 units)

As this is not a teaching area in NSW, students who complete this cluster of units do not complete any associated C&PS units. Elective units will replace these if needed to meet the required credit points to graduate.

NB Requirements can also be satisfied (via advanced standing) by the completion of a Diploma of Outdoor Leadership

Religious Studies Specialisation (8 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35136 and EDUC35137.

Religious Studies Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35136 and EDUC35137.

Religious Studies Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Specialisation are: EDUC35136 and EDUC35137.

Textiles Technology Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35142 and EDUC35143.

Textiles Technology Minor (4 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Minor are: EDUC35142 and EDUC35143.

Visual Arts Major (6 units)

The Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units that students will complete with this Major are: EDUC35138 and EDUC35139.

Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) Specialisations

Introduction

There are three pathways available to students who elect to study Technology and Applied Studies as one or more of their teaching areas.

1. TAS Specialisation 1 – Design & Technology Core plus one Technology Option plus either a minor (another Teaching Area) or electives
2. TAS Specialisation 2 – Design & Technology Core plus two Technology Options
3. TAS Specialisation 3 – Design & Technology Core plus Home Economics.

TAS Specialisations and Teaching Areas

• In all TAS Specialisations, students must complete the Design & Technology Core Units outlined below.
• Students in all TAS Specialisations will have Design and Technology as a first teaching area.
• The other teaching areas a student will acquire is based on the specialisation chosen, and the options and units chosen within each specialisation.
• Consultation with the Course and Strand Convenors around TAS Specialisation and Option choices is highly recommended.

Design and Technologies Core (7 units)

Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies (C&PS) Units

Students will complete specific C&PS units in each TAS Specialisation. These are listed in the Overview section. Students should seek Course and/or Strand Convenor counsel to ensure the correct number of C&PS units are taken for each teaching area.

TAS SPECIALISATION 1

Overview

• Students must complete the Design & Technologies Core (7 units)
• Students must complete ONE of the Technology Options below (3 units):
• Students must complete the following Curriculum & Pedagogical units:
  • EDUC35142 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies I
  • EDUC35143 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies II

• Students will generally complete an additional two C&PS units that align with the teaching area associated with their minor.

Food Technology Option (3 units)

Textiles Technology Option (3 units)

Industrial Technology Option (3 units)

Graphics and Multimedia Option (3 units)

Computing Technologies Option (3 units)

NB Students preferring to have a major in Computing Technologies should consult with the Course and/or Strand Convenor about additional cross-institutional units. A further two Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies units will be required:

• EDUC35140 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies: Information Technology I

• EDUC35141 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies: Information Technology II.

TAS SPECIALISATION 2

Overview

• Students must complete the Design & Technologies Core (7 units)
• Students then choose TWO Technology Options (3 + 3 units) from either:
  • TAS Specialisation 1 above; OR
  • ONE from TAS Specialisation 1 PLUS ONE from the Technology Options below.
• Students complete two electives.
• Students complete the following C&PS units:
  • EDUC35142 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies I
  • EDUC35143 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies II
  • EDUC35144 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Technologies.

Mixed Technology Option (3 units)

Any three technology units not already selected in TAS Specialisation 2. These may include cross-institutional units selected in consultation with the TAS Strand Convenor.

VET Technology Option (3 units or 4 units elective included)

Advanced standing for up to four units for VET trade qualifications plus post trade qualification, industry experience, and Certificate IV in Training & Assessment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), based on meeting the requirements to teach VET in Schools such as Hospitality, Construction, and Information Technology.

TAS SPECIALISATION 3

Overview

• Students must complete the Design & Technologies Core (7 units)
• Students must complete the Home Economics unit set as outlined below (7 units).
• Students must complete the following C&PS units:
  • EDUC35142 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies I
  • EDUC35143 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Design & Technologies II
  • EDUC35144 Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies - Technologies

Home Economics (7 units)

Students seeking to add Textiles Technology as a teaching area must consult with the TAS Strand Convenor before selecting from these units.

Students have regular opportunities to practice their developing teaching skills in the classroom through Professional Experience Placements. For students in an undergraduate degree this is a minimum of 80 days. This provides opportunities to develop essential mastery of the Graduate Teaching Standards, required by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) prior to graduation.

It is important that teacher education students:

• Be available during regularly scheduled Professional Experience Placements, refraining from booking other events during this time
• Be willing to experience a variety of school contexts
• Take responsibility for any transport or accommodation costs associated with their Professional Experience Placement

Students must provide evidence of compliance on arrival at each school for their Professional Experience Placement. Evidence includes:

• Working With Children Check
• Child Protection Awareness Training and annual updates
• ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training
• NSW Department of Education Code of Conduct

If students become ineligible to visit schools for Professional Experience Placements or are barred from attending at a school for any reason, they will not be able to complete this degree.

Fitness for Teaching

Students need to demonstrate their fitness for teaching to complete a Professional Experience Placement. This means being able to:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progression before Professional Experience Placement
• Act in a way that demonstrates sound cognitive, mental, emotional and physical health, and be able to cope with the varying demands of classroom situations
• Demonstrate the ability to cope effectively with stressful situations
• Demonstrate the ability to maintain a duty of care while on Professional Experience Placement
• Relate to students in an age-appropriate and professional manner
• Be able to model appropriate literacy and numeracy skills in the classroom and beyond.

Conflicts of Interest

Teacher education students should seek Professional Experience Placements in schools where no relatives or friends are working or attending. This is to avoid a conflict of interest in mentoring and assessing teacher education students. Otherwise, any relationship must be disclosed, with Avondale reserving the right to make a decision regarding the Professional Experience Placement. Failure to disclose this information may mean that the grade for the Professional Experience Placement is subject to revision or annulment. Students cannot complete a placement at a school where they are a present or past employee.

Post Admission Requirements

Working with Children Check (WWCC)

Students will need to obtain a New South Wales Working with Children Check, as well as the equivalent Working with Children Check in any state or territory in which they intend to complete a Professional Experience Placement. Students enrolled in an initial teacher education degree will need to have obtained an NSW WWCC no later than the end of their first year.

Students need to apply for a Working with Children Check online through the Office of the Children's Guardian. After the application is complete, the application number and the expiry date must be emailed to the Professional Experience Placement Officer.
E: [email protected]

Child Protection Awareness Training

Students are required to complete the Child Protection Awareness Training within the first two weeks of the semester, before the first Professional Experience Placement. The training is a self-paced online e-learning course available through the NSW Department of Education. Students should save their evidence of completion as a PDF file and email it to the Professional Experience Placement Officer. E: [email protected].

Child Protection Update

When a student has completed the Child Protection Awareness training, they must register for MyPL, and then complete Child Protection Updates annually.

The specific focus of the annual Child Protection Update varies each year, depending on current needs as identified by the NSW Department of Education. The aim of the course is to provide a general refresher on recognising and responding to suspected risk of harm across a range of categories. It reminds those working in an education context of the actions to take when identifying and responding to students at risk of harm.

ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training

The NSW Department of Education mandates that students receive anaphylaxis management training before commencing their first Professional Experience Placement. Students are required to complete ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training for Australian schools.

Once completed, please print, scan, and email the certificate(s) to the Professional Experience Placement Officer.
E: [email protected]

National Literacy and Numeracy Test (LANTITE)

Government requirements stipulate that students must pass the Government Literacy and Numeracy Test (LANTITE) in order to commence their final Professional Experience Placement. It is advised that students sit this test in the first year of their course. The booking of and the payment for these tests is the responsibility of each student, being separate to tuition fees.

The Placement Officer is available to assist students with all post admission requirements and can be contacted at:
E: [email protected]
T: 02 4980 2180

At the completion of the course, students must register with the state professional teaching body before they are eligible to teach in a school. In New South Wales this accrediting body is the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA).