Monash University

Undergraduate courses - Faculty of Education

Initial teacher education

Pre-service education of teachers is available at undergraduate and graduate levels, offering qualifications in early childhood, primary, primary/secondary (P-10 and special education), secondary and adult learning. The faculty offers undergraduate programs leading to the award of a three or four-year bachelor degree, or four-year programs leading to the award of two bachelors’ degrees; one in education and the other from partner faculties including Art, Design and Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, and Science. While all double degrees can be completed in four years some will require students to overload as the program comprises units which total more than a standard four-year load. There is also a program within the faculty leading to the dual award of an education and a sport and outdoor recreation degree. Students should note that the single sport and outdoor recreation course does not prepare them for teaching unless studied in a double-award program with an education degree that leads to a teaching qualification, or by subsequently completing a pre-service Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching.

Early childhood

Early childhood education is offered on the Peninsula campus and off-shore in Singapore. These courses prepare students to work in preschools, childcare centres, mobile kindergartens, family day care centres and hospitals as play specialists.

The four-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is an innovative degree that prepares people to teach across the early childhood and primary years.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies has been designed as a pathway for students to upgrade their Diploma of Children’s Services (or equivalent) to a professional degree qualification. The program is only available to students with the relevant diploma qualification. All other applicants must undertake the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

The Faculty grants the equivalent of one year of block credit for the Diploma of Children’s Services (or equivalent) and has devised a course structure that permits the completion of the degree with two further years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). Further recognition of prior learning is possible for professional placement units based on the student's work history in the early childhood industry. An honours year may be undertaken by graduates of either course.

Primary teaching

Primary school teacher education is a four-year, full-time course offered on the Peninsula and Gippsland campuses. This bachelor degree focuses on teaching and children's learning in the learning areas of arts, English, mathematics, health and physical education, science, humanities and technology. Students undertake a range of practical experiences in primary schools and other appropriate settings, with the opportunity to include discipline studies options during the course.

Middle school specialism (Gippsland)

Gippsland students have the option of completing a middle school specialism where their four education electives are replaced with two middle school units and two specialism units related to their chosen discipline sequences. These students will be required to do a minimum 25 days’ placement in a secondary school, and a minimum 55 days’ placement in a primary school. Students who complete this option are qualified to teach from Prep to Year 10.

Double degrees

Undergraduates can take a double degree combining a Bachelor of Education (Primary) specialising in primary education with another bachelor degree. These double degrees are offered in collaboration with another faculty at the home campus of Gippsland or Peninsula or across several campuses (i.e. Peninsula and Clayton, or Peninsula, Clayton and Caulfield). The Bachelor of Education (Primary) is available with bachelor degrees in Arts, Arts and Social Sciences, Music, Science, Sport and Outdoor Recreation, or Visual Arts. An honours year may be undertaken by graduates of any of these courses.

Primary/Secondary teaching

P-10

The Bachelor of Education (P-10) is a four-year, full-time course offered on the Berwick campus. This course prepares students for careers as teachers across the years Prep to Year 10 and provides graduates with the essential understandings relating to child and adolescent development, learning and teaching. Students study units that cover each of the learning areas of the primary school curriculum together with discipline study of two subject specialisms. Students undertake a range of practical experiences in primary and secondary schools.

Special Education

The Bachelor of Education (Special Education) is a four-year, full-time course offered on the Berwick campus. This specialised course prepares students for careers in special education (special schools and classes), as well as facilitating inclusion in regular schools. It will provide graduates with a comprehensive background in educating school students with diverse needs and working with their families. Students study a range of units that cover topics in legislation, policies, assessment and intervention for students with diverse needs. The degree qualifies students to teach across the years Prep to Year 10 in regular and special education settings.

Secondary teaching

Secondary teacher education courses are offered on the Clayton campus. Undergraduates can undertake a four-year double degree combining a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with another bachelor degree in Arts, Commerce, Music, Science, Sport and Outdoor Recreation, or Visual Arts. An honours year is available on completion of the double degree program.

Secondary teaching method units

Each student must choose two secondary teaching method units for study in the fourth year of a double degree. Secondary teaching method units require a minimum minor sequence of tertiary undergraduate study (usually two units at first year and two units at second year). Students choose their secondary teaching method units based on their major and minor studies in their companion undergraduate degree. Students are advised to consult the following list of secondary teaching method units together with the outlines for each unit and their prerequisites. Students in doubt about the suitability of their qualifications for employment should check with the Registration and Accreditation unit of the Victorian Institute of Teaching on telephone +61 3 8601 5800, or at PO Box 531, Collins Street West, Melbourne, Victoria 8007, Australia.

With the permission of course advisers, students may undertake the study of teaching method units in a combination of on-campus and off-campus modes.

Note: the availability of any of the secondary teaching method units from year to year is dependent on the faculty's ability to provide appropriate tutorial assistance, supervision and teaching practice facilities.

Full-year secondary teaching method units

  • EDF4812 Accounting education
  • EDF4813 Biology education
  • EDF4814 Business management education
  • EDF4815 Chemistry education
  • EDF4816 Drama education
  • EDF4817 Economics education
  • EDF4818 English as a second language (ESL) education
  • EDF4819 English education
  • EDF4820 General science education
  • EDF4821 Geography education
  • EDF4822 Health education
  • EDF4823 History education
  • EDF4824 Information and communication technology education
  • EDF4825 Jewish studies education
  • EDF4826 Languages education 1
  • EDF4846 Languages education 2
  • EDF4827 Legal studies education
  • EDF4828 Mathematics education
  • EDF4830 Music education 1
  • EDF4831 Music education 2
  • EDF4832 Outdoor education
  • EDF4833 Physical education
  • EDF4834 Physics education
  • EDF4835 Psychology education
  • EDF4836 Social education
  • EDF4837 Visual art and design education 1
  • EDF4838 Visual art and design education 2

Adult learning

The Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development is designed specifically for people working in the field of adult learning and development who wish to upgrade their formal qualifications, gain recognition for prior work experience, and improve their theoretical knowledge and practical expertise. Completion of the course leads to a recognised tertiary degree in adult education and training that places graduates at the forefront of professional knowledge and practice and gives them a competitive edge in the employment market. The course aims to develop highly qualified educational professionals and leaders who can facilitate the learning and development of individuals and enterprises within local and global communities. Opportunities exist for further study at honours or master’s level.

Sport and outdoor recreation

The sport and outdoor recreation courses offered on the Peninsula campus prepare students to work in a variety of recreation and outdoor settings. The faculty offers the Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Recreation as a single degree, or in double degrees with either a Bachelor of Education (Primary), Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or  Bachelor of Business, which also provide opportunities in traditional education and business settings.

Honours degree in education

The Honours degree of Bachelor of Education provides a foundation for students wishing to pursue a higher degree by research. A one-year full-time honours degree is available to students who have completed an undergraduate education degree with strong academic results.

Course and student advisers

Course advisers are located in the Admissions and Student Services Office at each campus and assist students from point of admission to course completion; all course enquiries should be directed to them.

Student advisers (academic staff members) work with and support students, including developing and maintaining systematic processes for student transition, monitoring, pastoral care and advice relating to academic content.

For routine inquiries, students should initially contact the Admissions and Student Services Office on their campus at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/contacts/courseenquiries.php.