Handbook 2010

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Education (BEd) [Early Childhood and Primary Teaching] (Four Years)

School of Education

Qualification:
Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Early Childhood and Primary Teaching

Availability:
Murdoch campus (internal)
Murdoch campus (external) (except for one school experience [not EDU101] and one week intensive for EDU207)
Rockingham campus (internal) (may require some external study)

Restriction:
Enrolment in this course is subject to restriction.

Duration:
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) will prepare graduates to teach in any primary classroom from kindergarten to Year 7. Students will study general primary curriculum as well as that specific to early childhood teaching and will be placed in both early childhood and general classrooms for their school experiences.

Students who want to graduate with a Bachelor of Education degree in Early Childhood and Primary Teaching will need to complete a four-year Bachelor of Education degree (BEd).

Students who already have a non-education bachelor degree can complete the Bachelor of Education (Primary) Graduate in a minimum of two years full-time or part-time equivalent: see that course description for the specific requirements.

Employment Prospects:
A recent survey of all Murdoch teacher education graduates for the past decade showed that almost all were employed in teaching within a year of graduating. Murdoch graduates are employed in government and non-government schools and other education-related occupations.

Admission Requirements: Onshore course offerings:
As per normal undergraduate admission requirements.

English competence.

Internet access is required for students studying externally; exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Special Requirements:
All people wishing to work with children must have two checks to enable them to teach in Western Australian schools.

The first is the WA Department of Education Criminal History Record Check. Refer to the Study at Murdoch section of this Handbook for details on this important matter. Application forms for this check are available on the WA Department of Education web site or from the Murdoch University School Experience Office.

The second is the Working with Children Check from the Department of Community Development. The application forms are available from the Murdoch University School Experience Office.

It is important to understand that these two checks are mandatory and students are not permitted to enter schools without obtaining them.

Recommended Minors:
Ethics; Media Studies; Science Communication

Excluded Majors:
Education (BEd) [Primary Teaching] (Four Years) + Australian Indigenous Studies (BA); Education (BEd) [Primary, 1-10 Health and Physical Education]; Education (Graduate) (BEd) [Primary Teaching] (Two Years)

Exemptions/Credit and School Experience:
Students seeking exemptions must be able to provide documentary evidence in support of their application.

Students who have had at least two years of full-time recent relevant and satisfactory teaching experience in an Australian school context may seek partial exemption from the School Experience unit/s. Whilst Murdoch recognises that some students may have prior and/or current teaching experience, it requires that a student's classroom competence be assessed before exemptions from School Experience can be given.

Students who have been employed as a teacher and have had at least one year of full-time equivalent recent, relevant and satisfactory teaching experience in an Australian school context may seek exemption from EDU101 Introduction to Teaching.

Students cannot receive exemption from the School Experience component of EDU379 Professional Internship Prelim: Primary BEd/ECE, EDU378 Professional Internship: Primary BEd, EDU387 Professional Internship prelim: Secondary BEd or EDU389 Professional Internship: Secondary BEd but those who are currently employed in relevant teaching positions may seek permission to complete Primary or Secondary practicum in their school. Students must contact the School Experience Office.

If seeking uncredentialled credit students must submit a case in writing, with supporting documentary evidence to explain how the outcomes of units have already been achieved through prior experience. All applications for exemption and credit must be directed to the Accreditation Officer.

External Study:
Not all required units in these majors are offered completely externally. Some are offered as short-term sessions on-campus or in Perth metropolitan schools.

a) External students must undertake the first School Experience unit (does not include EDU101) in a Perth metropolitan school and under the guidance of a Murdoch University Supervisor. Subject to satisfactory completion of this unit, students may arrange, in consultation with the School Experience Office, to complete their subsequent school experience in a non-metropolitan school.

b) For students enrolled in Primary and Early Childhood Teacher Education, on-campus attendance is required for a one-week intensive workshop during winter term (date to be announced) for EDU207 Primary Curriculum IIA (external BEd students).

Alternative Entry Pathway (Rockingham campus):
An alternative entry pathway exists via the Primary Teaching Combination from Challenger TAFE (Rockingham) to Murdoch University Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary Teaching). This pathway will provide applicants with advanced standing once they enter the University.

For more information see here

Students should ensure they are familiar with the University's internal legislation, including provisions specifically relevant to their studies. See the University Regulations and Rules.

Cancellation of Courses, Minors and Units
The University reserves the right to cancel, without notice, any course, major, minor or unit if the number of students enrolled falls below limits set by the University.

Document Contact: Webmaster

Expiry date: 31/12/2010

Authorised by: Darren Munday, Director, Office of Student Life and Learning

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