Which Course? Which University? - education - Australian Catholic University

Course Experience and Destinations of Graduates

Undergraduate Characteristics

Contact Details for Australian Catholic University

Australian Catholic University is the first publicly funded Catholic University in Australia. It was formed by the amalgamation of four Catholic institutions of higher education in Eastern Australia and commenced operation in January 1991, although its origins can be traced back as far as the 1880s. The university currently has a total enrolment of over eight thousand students and employs more than four hundred academic staff.

The University uses more than a hundred external agencies to assist in graduate placement, in addition to targeted placements in the public service. Australian Catholic University has received sponsorship by major employing bodies of three Chairs - in Educational Leadership (Endowed), Clinical Nursing, and Children's Sport and Exercise Science.

The great majority of academic staffs hold formal teaching qualifications and the University actively seeks staff members with achievements that are highly regarded internationally. The University places emphasis on innovations in teaching practice with a focus on practical strategies. The University is a public university, open to all, and is a member of the Unified National System of Higher Education, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

The Faculty of Education aims to offer students the opportunity to develop in a number of areas - intellectually, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. The Faculty seeks to create an environment of support and challenge, combining concern for personal enrichment, social progress and community development. The Faculty prepares teachers for work in Catholic, independent and government primary and secondary schools. It conducts specialist courses for those seeking to work in the area of indigenous education. The Faculty actively participates in literacy education, adult and community education, mathematics education, and visual and performing arts education. The Faculty operates across all states and territories along the eastern seaboard of Australia, and this has prompted the development of flexible delivery modes for learning "across borders" through the use of information technology and multi media delivery.

Diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

Course Description: The Faculty of Education offers an integrated 4-year Primary Teacher Education course with a common structure and common units in all the Schools of the Faculty, whilst recognising in both the structure and the units different contextual and registration requirements in each state. Bachelor of Education courses aim to facilitate, within a Catholic Christian tradition, the development of reflective, educated, culturally aware and responsive individuals, able to function effectively as beginning teachers in a variety of settings, and committed to their continuing professional development.

The course offers the opportunity to study religion and religious education which will enable students to gain accreditation to teach religious education.

Students who satisfactorily complete the course requirements attain the award of the degree of Bachelor of Education in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland, and the award of the double degree of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching in Victoria.

The degrees awarded in Victoria also allow graduates to teach in secondary schools. In New South Wales, students may choose to exit the course after satisfactorily completing three years of the course with the award of the degree of Bachelor of Teaching.

Principal areas of study: The course is structured with two principal areas of study: discipline studies and professional studies.

Christ Campus: Behavioural science, Italian Mercy St Patricks Campus: Behavioural studies, drama literature, Italian media, philosophy, psychology, theology studies, sociology, visual arts, literature, theology studies, science studies.

Other campuses: Elective studies, education studies, theological studies, curriculum focused units, curriculum studies, teaching studies, field experience.

Name of Campus: Signadou, Mount Saint Mary, McAuley, Aquinas, Christ and Mercy St Patricks campuses.

Year 12 Prerequisites: Aquinas, Christ & Mercy campuses( VIC): VCE Units 3 & 4 English (QLD)- English (Sound Achievement 4 semesters) (NSW)- recommended studies: any 2u of English and any 2u of Mathematics.

Other: NSW applicants under 21 years with Year 12: Applicants are normally assessed on the basis of performance in the best ten units presented at the NSW HSC examination. Students from states other than NSW should apply directly to the University, where they will be assessed individually, taking into account the TER level required.

Applicants are normally assessed on the basis of their Student Education Profile. The form, Personal Competencies, Knowledge and Skills: Australian Catholic University, available from the University, should be submitted with the QTAC application.

Professional recognition: Graduates are eligible for registration to teach in Catholic, independent and government schools.

Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Specialisation: Indigenous Studies Education)

Course Description: This community-based course is offered at regional centres in NSW and Queensland, and on campus in Sydney and Brisbane. It emphasises skills in communication, teaching and community development and liaison. The course meets the needs of students who, on graduation, may wish to teach in schools or work with communities where there are significant numbers of Aboriginal students and in schools offering Aboriginal Studies to all students. In content and mode of offering, the program gives an increasing emphasis to indigenous pedagogy and to the community context in which Aboriginal education is offered.

Principal areas of study: Indigenous studies, spirituality, expressive arts, teaching and classroom management, health and physical education, curriculum design and evaluation, children with special needs.

Mode of delivery: The course is offered in a mixed mode with ongoing support from tutors in students' home communities. Students are required to attend two compulsory residential schools each semester to be held in Brisbane or Sydney, as appropriate, and one compulsory Field Experience each year in their local area.

(QLD)- English (Sound Achievement 4 semesters) Completion of the Dip ATSI Education (or recognised equivalent) (NSW): None specified

Other: Applications for the course must be made directly to the University. Admission is based on an interview, and oral and written tasks, taking into consideration formal schooling, work experience, and other achievements and interests. Applications are considered from school leavers, as well as from those who have other forms of education or life experience. Applicants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent and mature age applicants are specifically encouraged to apply.

Professional Recognition: Graduates are eligible for registration to teach in Catholic, independent and government primary schools.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (Specialisation: Indigenous Studies)

Course Description: This course is designed for those intending to become teachers in secondary schools and provides specialist training for those intending to work within schools and communities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders children. This course is based upon a set of underlying themes which include social justice, change and social analysis. These themes address issues related to indigenous students in secondary schools and are integral to the educative approach which has been developed to meet the special needs of these students. This course uses an educational methodology which has been developed in cognisance of participants' current skills and needs. The methodology will also develop the participants' skills to work with students to maximise their educational potential in an environment of marginalisation.

Principal areas of study: Indigenous studies, career and work education, spirituality, teaching and classroom management.

Course Duration: 8 semesters (F/T), normally taken over 4 years or equivalent (P/T).

Mode of Delivery: The course is offered in a mixed mode with support from tutors in students' home communities. Students are required to attend two compulsory residential schools each semester to be held in Sydney. Field Experience will be based initially in the school that students are working in with an emphasis on field based learning.

Year 12 Prerequisites: None specified Proficiency in English and appropriate disciplines where required.

Other: To be eligible for Normal Entry an applicant is to be an indigenous Australian who has successfully completed the NSW HSC or equivalent.

Professional Recognition: Graduates are eligible for registration to teach in Catholic, independent or government secondary schools.

Bachelor of Teaching

Course description: The secondary teacher education course facilitates, within a Catholic Christian tradition, the development of reflective, educated, culturally aware and responsive individuals able to function effectively as beginning teachers in a variety of settings and committed to their continuing professional development.

Students entering the program without an Arts or Science degree, or approved equivalent, and who satisfactorily complete the course requirements receive the award of the combined degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Science in New South Wales, and the award of the combined degree of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching in Victoria (assuming appropriate major and minor studies are undertaken.). The degree awarded in Victoria also allows graduates to teach in primary schools.

Principal areas of study: The courses are structured with two principal areas of study: discipline studies and professional studies.

Year 12 prerequisite: NSW Applicants are normally assessed on the basis of performance in the best ten units presented at the NSW HSC examination. Students wishing to complete a Mathematics or Science major study must have studied 2u Mathematics or higher (not MIS or MIP). Victorian applicants are normally assesses on the basis of their TER. Satisfactory completion of English Units 3 and 4 is essential.

Other: NSW applicants under 21 years with Year 12: Applicants are normally assessed on the basis of performance in the best ten units presented at the NSW HSC examination. Students from states other than NSW applying for entry into a course in NSW should apply to the UAC. Students wishing to complete a Mathematics or Science major study must have studied 2u Mathematics. Students wishing to complete a Visual Arts major study must have studied 2u Visual Arts.

Victorian applicants under 21 with Year 12: Applicants who have satisfactorily completed the VCE including satisfactory completion of English Units 3 & 4 will be eligible for consideration for admission.

Professional Recognition: Graduates are eligible for registration to teach in Catholic, independent and government schools.

Diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education This community based course is undertaken for three years and emphasises skills in communication, teaching and community development and liaison. The course focuses on the community liaison and Aboriginal Education Assistant roles.

The course is offered in a mixed mode with on-going support from tutors in students' home communities.

Principal areas of study: Communications: Organisation and Presentation skills, Cultural Studies, Education and Society, Exploring Mathematics, Creative Arts Education, Information Technology, English Education.