Initial teacher education
For students wishing to become primary or early childhood teachers, the School of Early Childhood and Primary Education offers three-year undergraduate programs leading to the awards of Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood). To gain professional registration as a primary teacher in Victoria, students will also need to complete a fourth-year Bachelor of Education. A combined degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Teaching, taught in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, was introduced in 1992. The school also offers, for those who are graduates in subjects other than education, a one-year Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary). The School of Education, Gippsland offers four-year programs in a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Education for both primary and secondary teachers. For many students who wish to become secondary school teachers, their professional education will often begin with their undergraduate course. This, at Monash, will usually comprise a degree in the faculty of Arts, Science, Business and Economics, or Law. This first degree will then be followed by a further full-time year in the School of Graduate Studies studying for the Graduate Diploma in Education or by on-campus or part-time distance education studies in the School of Education, Gippsland.
Because the GradDipEd courses include specific training in the teaching of particular school subjects, it is important for intending teachers to include subjects cognate with these `methods' in their undergraduate degree. In this regard, the prerequisites shown for the various methods and practice of teaching subjects described in the GradDipEd sections of this handbook have been set to meet faculty needs and, as far as possible, the requirements of employing bodies, including the Department of School Education. In cases of doubt, inquires should be made to the appropriate school of the faculty.
In addition to making certain of these prerequisites, undergraduates should seek advice from their own faculties regarding other subjects which may be seen as especially relevant to preparation for teaching.
Post-initial teacher education
The faculty also provides many opportunities for the further professional education of teachers after they have gained their initial qualification, whether the latter was gained at Monash or another university or tertiary institution. The faculty offers a range of graduate diplomas, coursework masters and research-based degrees on each of its three campuses. Information regarding these can be found in this handbook. In addition, the faculty has a long history of involvement with the professional education of teachers through the provision of short courses and other non-award courses, seminars and programs which are constantly revised to maintain relevance and currency for practising professionals. Increasingly the faculty is also shaping programs for professionals in related fields of expertise.
In addition, the Faculty of Arts offers a masters degree in music education.