Undergraduate
Bachelor of Education Secondary
2021
The Bachelor of Education Secondary prepares you to become a secondary school teacher, and teach year 7 to year 12. In this role, you will be responsible for educating and guiding students as they prepare for the real world. If you are a good communicator, love having fun with children and are passionate about sharing a love of learning, then this may be the career for you!
At CDU, you can study a Bachelor of Education Secondary online or on campus, part time or full time (for a majority of specialisations). This makes it easier to fit study into your existing commitments. When you graduate, you'll be qualified to register as a teacher anywhere in Australia.
The course focuses on the skills and knowledge and you will need to teach in high schools, as outlined by the Australian National Curriculum. It meets both the national and local need for teachers committed to improving educational outcomes for children in year 7 to year 12.
You will learn about:
- the school curriculum
- contemporary approaches to issues in education, such as inclusivity
- child and adolescent development
- promoting positive behaviour
- improving the teaching-learning relationship in the classroom
- indigenous perspectives
- raising awareness of issues surrounding Indigenous education
- developing an informed, evidence-based approach to learning and teaching in secondary school settings.
As a secondary teacher, you will specialise in teaching certain subjects. As part of your degree, you will choose two specialisations: a major and a minor. You can choose from a range of options, including:
- digital technology
- health and physical education
- humanities
- indigenous knowledges
- languages
- mathematics
- music
- science
- visual arts
The course is a mixture of discipline-specific curriculum and pedagogical studies, general education studies and professional experience.
When you graduate, your levels of personal literacy and numeracy will be broadly equivalent to the top 30% of the Australian population.
Students are encouraged to review the employer eligibility requirements as they can vary state to state.
Career opportunities
Graduating with a Bachelor of Education Secondary prepares you to teach in high schools. It also prepares you to work in associated educational areas, such as:
- curriculum development
- educational planning
- educational research
- policy development.
Professional recognition
This course has been accredited through the Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory consistent with the standards established by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership for the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.
When you graduate, you'll be eligible to register as a teacher in schools across all Australian State and Territory jurisdictions (subject to meeting other eligibility criteria such as the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Registration Requirement, English proficiency and suitability to teach).
Credit transfers & pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
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There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate IV level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 135 (or a score of 145 if prior to May 2010).
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must complete the Teaching Capabilities Statement used to demonstrate suitability for study and work in the teaching profession.
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.5 |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Minimum overall score of 176 with no skill below 176 |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Navitas Academic English (option available only for entry into S1, 2021) | Minimum overall score of 65% in Academic English 3 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | Minimum overall score of 58 with no score less than 58 in listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | Minimum overall score of 80 with no score less than 22 in speaking, writing, reading and listening |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Criminal History Check
You must have cleared a Police Check and/or Working with Children Check before you can undertake your practical placements. If your Police Check and/or Working with Children Check are not cleared by the education sector, you will not be able to undertake practice teaching placements and therefore, will not meet the requirements of the course.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 320 credit points (cp), including 2 common units, 10 core units, and 18 specialist electives units.
Within the specialist electives, students select a first teaching area (major) (totalling 110 credit points - with exception of Health and Physical Education) and second teaching area (minor) (totalling 60 credit points) from the following areas:
- Biology; Chemistry; Chinese; English; Environmental Science; Geography; Greek; Health and Physical Education; History; Indigenous Knowledge; Indigenous Languages; Indonesian; Digital Technology; Legal Studies; Mathematics; Music; or Visual Arts.
All first teaching area (major) elective options are also available for second teaching area (minor) specialisation.
The following teaching areas are only offered as second teaching areas (minor):
- Economics and Physics.
First teaching area (major) must be different from the second teaching area (minor).
When Health and PE is elected as first teaching area (major) there is no second teaching area (minor) specialisation or general elective are required.
Students will also select (with the exception of Health and PE) one unit (10 credit points) as general elective from undergraduate units offered by the University.
All students must pass prior to graduation the ACER Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). The cost of the testing will be met by the student. Refer to https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/
Please check the offerings, pre-requisite and assumed knowledge requirements prior to enrolment. 100 level units are initial level units, 200 level units are medium, and 300/400 level units are advance level units. Ideally, ECM units need be done after a few specialist elective (content) units.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 320 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
This course has a requirement of 80 days of Professional Experience.
Professional Experience units MUST be undertaken in the following sequence: EPR100, EPR200, EPR211, EPR301.
EPR301 is a 30 credit point unit and can only be taken with one other unit for a full semester load.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Common Units (2 units) |
20cp | Common units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below.
CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability Select Common Units to find out more about individual units and advanced standing options. |
| Core Units (10 units) |
120cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 120 credit points as per the list of units detailed below.
EPR100 Professional Experience 1: Teacher as Learner |
| Major Specialist Electives (11 - 18 units) |
110cp or 180cp |
Specialist Elective units selected from one of the Major Teaching Areas EITHER: Science Complete all 50 credit points of: Plus one of the following Majors: BIOLOGY Major CHEMISTRY Major (Internal Only) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Major In case your first (Major) and second (Minor) teaching areas are both from science you must do two extra relevant subjects or education units (due to Science ECM units being common). OR: Languages Complete all 50 credit points of: Plus one of the following majors: CHINESE (Mandarin) Major GREEK Major INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (Yolngu) Major INDONESIAN Major In case your first (Major) and second (Minor) teaching areas are both from languages you must do two extra relevant subjects or education units (due to LOTE ECM units being common). OR: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Major OR: ENGLISH Major OR: GEOGRAPHY Major OR: HISTORY Major OR: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Major OR: LEGAL STUDIES Major OR: MATHEMATICS Major OR: VISUAL ARTS Major OR: MUSIC Major OR: HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Major |
| Minor Specialist Electives (0 or 6 units) |
0cp or 60cp |
Students who have selected the Health and Physical Education Major cannot undertake a minor area. Students must select a minor teaching area different from their Major teaching area. Where ECM units are common to the major and minor choices, students must replace the units with the relevant elective units. In general, for minor electives students elect at most 20 credit points at 100 level and at least 20 credit points at 200 or higher-level specialist second teaching area SUBJECT units. A minor may be selected from one of the majors above not already completed or from one of the Minors detailed below. Not every combination of Major and Minor can be achieved. Please contact the Course Coordinator for further information. ECONOMICS Minor HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (Arrernte) Minor (cannot be taken with a Language Major) MUSIC Minor PHYSICS Minor |
| General Electives (0 or 1 unit) |
0cp or 10cp | One unit totalling 10 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University.
Students who have selected the Health and Physical Education Major are not required to undertake a general (or minor) elective. |
| 320cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.
Of the total 320 credit points: (unless specified in the specific course structure above)
* not more than 120 credit points may be taken from 100 level units
* a minimum of 80 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Course Changes - 2021
SPE205 Biomechanics and Movement Analysis, unit title change from 2021. Unit previously titled Biomechanics 1.
SPE206 Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology, unit title change from 2021. Unit previously titled Exercise and Sport Psychology 1.
SPE330 Physical Activity in Special Population, unit title change from 2021. Unit previously titled Exercise and Health.
SBI245 Biochemistry is no longer offered from 2021. Students who have not completed SBI245 can complete SBI150 Cellular Biology as suitable replacement. Students who have completed SBI245 should not complete SBI150.
Course Changes and Transition Arrangements - 2019
EPR211 has replaced EPR201. Students who have already completed EPR201 should not complete EPR211.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit CO/P = Practicum/Placement |
SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
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HPE = Health and Physical Education |
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| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | EPR100 Professional Experience 1: Teacher as Learner | CO/P |
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| EST200 Child and Adolescent Development | CO | EPR200 Professional Experience 2: Teaching in Context | CO/P |
| EST203 Teaching Indigenous Learners | CO | EST304 Diversity and Inclusive Education (recoded to EST305 Socially Inclusive Pedagogy 2020) | CO |
| ECM Junior Secondary - Major Teaching Area | SE | ECM Senior Secondary - Major Teaching Area | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| EPR211 Professional Experience 3: Classroom Practice (replaces EPR201) | CO/P | Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| EST300 Assessment, Moderation and Reporting | CO | Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| ECM Junior Secondary - Second Teaching Area OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | ECM Senior Secondary - Second Teaching Area OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| EST303 Special Needs in the Classroom (recoded from EST301 2018) | CO | EST302 Researching Classroom Practice | CO |
| Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | EPR301 Professional Experience 4: Classroom Ready (30cp) | CO/P |
| Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | E/SE | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit CO/P = Practicum/Placement |
SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| HPE = Health and Physical Education | ||||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | ||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| EPR100 Professional Experience 1: Teacher as Learner | CO/P | EST200 Child and Adolescent Development | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | EST203 Teaching Indigenous Learners | CO |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| EPR200 Professional Experience 2: Teaching in Context | CO/P | EST304 Diversity and Inclusive Education (recoded to EST305 Socially Inclusive Pedagogy 2020) | CO |
| ECM Junior Secondary - Major Teaching Area | SE | ECM Senior Secondary - Major Teaching Area | SE |
| ECM Junior Secondary - Second Teaching Area OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | ECM Senior Secondary - Second Teaching Area OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 4 | |||
| EPR211 Professional Experience 3: Classroom Practice (replaces EPR201) | CO/P | EST300 Assessment, Moderation and Reporting | CO |
| EST303 Special Needs in the Classroom (recoded from EST301 2018) | CO | Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE |
| Minor Specialist Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | SE | Elective OR HPE Specialist Elective | E/SE |
| Year 5 | |||
| EST302 Researching Classroom Practice | CO | ||
| EPR301 Professional Experience 4: Classroom Ready (30cp) | CO/P | ||
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $26,712.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.