Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) is an integrated program leading to the award of two degrees. It was developed in discussion with the NSW Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Department of Education to meet the growing need for qualified English teachers in high schools.

CSU's Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) was developed to address the current shortage of secondary English teachers in both Victoria and NSW as these shortages are projected to increase over the next 10 years.

This course includes practical experience through workplace learning.

Meritorious students may also apply for acceptance into the Bachelor of Educational Research (Honours) or the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program.

CSU's Bachelor of Educational Research (Honours) allows students to select from a wide range of methodologies providing considerable flexibility in research design. Entry to this course is via the Graduate Certificate in Educational Research, which provides an introduction to educational research, an overview of common educational research methods, followed by a more in-depth focus on qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and the development of a research proposal and a literature review.

CSU's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) builds on analytical and critical thinking skills in a specialised field chosen by the individual student, enhancing communication and research skills and preparing for further postgraduate study.

Further details are available from the Course Coordinator.

Additional admission requirements

• Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership - Secondary
• National Criminal Record Check 

Practical requirements

The course provides opportunities to apply knowledge and skill gained from the academic components to real-life teaching situations. Students undertake placements in schools early in the course, culminating in an extended internship, which bring students into direct contact with the teaching profession and its various facets.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) is accredited with the NSW Institute of Teachers to 31 December 2013.

Special admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership - Employment Requirement

AITSL has introduced changes to the assessment criteria for English language proficiency to be consistent with teacher registration requirements in Australian states and territories, as per below:

English Language proficiency requirements

An Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test Report Form (TRF) that shows:

• a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing; and
• a score of at least 8.0 for Speaking and Listening.

The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS TRF and be the result of a test undertaken during the 12 month period prior to submitting an application.

OR

An applicant has completed study assessed by AITSL as comparable to at least four years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education (university) study, that results in a qualification/s comparable to the education level of an Australian bachelor degree or higher, (must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification) in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.

New South Wales Institute of Teachers - Employment Requirement

ACCEPTED ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS
The tests and results which are accepted by the NSW Institute of Teachers are listed below.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The IELTS test for academic purposes is an appropriate test for prospective teachers. The Institute requires that the applicant needs to attain a minimum overall score of 7.5 including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing. The test is widely accepted as an international standard for English language skills. Testing and locations can be found at www.ielts.org.

Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT)
The applicant must have Band A in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing. This test has been developed for teachers intending to teach in the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). DET requires relevant teachers to undertake the PEAT. The DET has advised that Band A is required for teaching in government schools. It is available at the University of NSW Institute of Languages. The website is www.lang.unsw.edu.au/PEAT/. Only the DET may refer teachers to undertake PEAT.

International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR)
The applicant must have a score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing. This test was originally developed as the ASLPR (Australian Second Language Proficiency Rating). It was developed at Griffith University and is available in a form specifically designed to test language proficiency in the teaching context. The website is www.islpr.org.

EXCEPTIONS
The following applicants generally do not need to complete one of the approved language tests:

• applicants for whom English is their first language
• applicants who have gained the majority of their qualifications in English, in a country where English is the main language. These countries are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), Republic of South Africa and the United States of America
• applicants who can provide evidence that they have successfully taught in English in a school in a country where English is the main language for a substantial period of time

CURRENCY OF RESULTS
The Institute has accepted the advice of the test providers regarding the length of currency of results. Applicants who submit results from IELTS must submit results from a test taken within a period of two years of their application for provisional or conditional accreditation. Applicants who submit results from ISLPR must submit results from a test taken within a period of twelve months of their application for provisional or conditional accreditation. A successful PEAT does not lose currency.

See the Workplace learning tab for special requirements for Professional Experience Placements.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2