The Bachelor of Education prepares primary teachers for the twenty-first century. There are opportunities to gain expertise in areas such as the arts, the middle years, and physical education. There is also an opportunity to gain expertise in early childhood education leading to primary-early childhood qualifications.

Teaching as a profession

Teaching is a unique and rewarding profession. The Bachelor of Education program equips you with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for a career in a range of educational settings and contexts. The program recognises that graduates are likely to undertake a variety of careers throughout their working lives, and multiskills you accordingly.

If you believe that you have the qualities and de-sire to work in educational settings, and are pre-pared to accept the responsibilities and challenges of a teacher, then you should consider this pro-gram.

Role of teachers

Teachers are involved in analysing learners’ needs, designing, implementing and evaluating curriculum programs, and liaising with parents, employers, professional colleagues and others interested in the education sector.

A key role is to foster the development of positive attitudes towards learning and an ongoing desire to continue with lifelong learning.

The program prepares graduates to confidently approach the challenges of an increasingly diverse profession.

Early childhood expertise

There is an early childhood education pathway within the Bachelor of Education, which leads to registration as a four-year trained early childhood and primary school teacher. Students who undertake this option complete four electives and four core courses with a combined 60 days of professional practice in early childhood settings.

Work Experience

Preservice Teachers are on Professional Practise placement each semester for twenty days per semester. While the placement model varies across the program, generally there is a combination of single site days during the semester followed by consecutive day programs (e.g. two week full-time placement). At the beginning of the fourth year of the program you may organise your own placement. Some students select rural placements, placements in the Northern Territory and overseas. (See www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/education/blazing/ for further information and personal reflections about Professional Practice.)

Duration

Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Full-time students attend lectures and tutorials during the day. Some classes may extend into the evening.
Part-time students usually have six hours of classes per week in the same classes provided for full-time students. Like full-time students, part-time students must also be available to undertake the practicum component (known as Professional Practice).
Professional Practice is incorporated into the program and adds a further twenty days per semester at school or relevant workplace settings.

Pathways

Graduates of the Diploma of Community Services (Childcare) from another institution who have been successful in gaining a place in the Bachelor of Education may be eligible for exemptions of up to three courses. Other relevant TAFE/Higher Education studies may be eligible for exemptions if appropriate. This is considered on a case-by-case basis with the academic progress coordinator.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates are not restricted to working in traditional educational settings. They have the skills, knowledge and experiences to also work in private enterprise, government agencies and community service organisations.

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching in primary teaching. Through reciprocal arrangements between registration authorities, graduates can practice as a teacher nationally and overseas.

Entrance Requirements

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 1 & 2—two units of General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods; or units 3 & 4—two units of Mathematics (any) and a study score of at least 25 in English (any).

Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and may be required to have relevant employment or evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information .

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time/part-time applicants—VTAC application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

Extra requirements

Selection mode current Year 12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%

Middle-band: A study score of at least 35 in English (any) = 1.5 points higher per study. Completing one LOTE (any) = 1.5 points higher per study. Consideration may be given to the SEAS application.

Selection mode non-Year 12: Form.

Selection procedures (Semester 1 2009 VTAC applicants)

Non-Year 12: Applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Pi form.

All successful applicants must complete a Working With Children (WWC) check form prior to commencing the program.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information .

Fees

Degree

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees ranged between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Changes to fee paying undergraduate places in 2009
The Australian Government has announced that it will phase out fee paying domestic undergraduate places from 1 January 2009 in public universities. However, the Government has announced that it will replace fee paying places with up to 11,000 new Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) by 2011. Therefore, expectations are that there will be more HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) places on offer at RMIT University in 2009.

There will be no full-fee places at RMIT University offered through VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) for new domestic students in undergraduate programs in 2009. There are some exceptions to the Government’s prohibition on new full-fee undergraduate places which will affect a very small number of students.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered

Or you can go to the Federal Government’s Going To Uni web site www.goingtouni.gov.au or phone the hotline: 1800 020 108.

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information .

Program Structure

The program consists of five components:

1. Professional Studies (PS)

This component provides pre-service teachers with knowledge and an understanding of professional responsibilities and standards in the work of teachers.

Courses focus on professional activities and practices including:

understanding and managing learning and teaching;
creating effective learning environments;
curriculum, policy and legal responsibilities; and

collegiate behaviours and career development.

2. Education Studies (ES)

This component provides pre-service teachers with knowledge and an understanding of the historical, theoretical and philosophical debates that underpin decision-making and inform change in education.

Courses focus on 'big picture' concepts and issues including:

education history, philosophy, thinkers, ideas, trends and key debates;
economic, social and political influences in education;
learning stages, cognitive development, learning styles, diversity and difference, curriculum and assessment, inclusive practices; and

integrated learning, new technologies and education futures.

3. Essential Learnings (EL)

This component provides pre-service teachers with essential pedagogy and content knowledge for:

literacy/English;

numeracy/mathematics;
science and technology;
health and physical education;
the arts; and

the humanities.

Course content is linked to education studies and professional studies courses. The use of ICT is embedded in all courses.

4. Professional Practice (PP)

Conducted onsite at an educational setting and at RMIT, the focus of this component is practical and experiential. Links will be made to the education studies, professional studies and essential learnings courses offered in the same semester.

Professional Practice aims to:

link theoretical and practical aspects of teaching and learning;
develop communication, organisational and management skills;
build upon and maintain partnerships between teachers and the university including shared delivery of courses;
develop high levels of expertise for pre-service teachers through working with mentors;
provide links between theory and practice through university and site experiences; and

provide links between Essential Learning courses and their application in professional practice.

5. Electives for Expertise

Courses for expertise will be offered in the following areas in years 2, 3 and 4:

early childhood education;
middle years' education (years 5-9); and
ICT, the arts, and physical education.

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Helen Tsui
School of Education
Tel. 03 9925 7461
Email: helen.tsui@rmit.edu.au

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Owning School

Education

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.