The Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts may be taken as a double degree program in four years full-time (or the equivalent part-time). Students who study part-time would normally be expected to complete the double degree program within eight years. The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.

The double degree program of Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts requires completion of a total of 144 units.

In making provision for teacher education students to take a special interest in middle or secondary schooling there is no simple or sharp line of demarcation in the ideas discussed or the practices investigated in our programs. Rather we recognise that although middle and secondary schools may be located in the same physical space, the needs of students in early and later adolescence are different so that there ought to be different emphases placed on the approaches taken in teaching these groups.

In the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts all students will undertake a common program of study in the first two years.  At the conclusion of the second year of full-time study students will then opt to follow the Secondary Schooling Strand or the Middle Schooling Strand.

A Lutheran pathway is available for students wishing to teach in that system.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Students who commence, but subsequently do not wish to complete, the double degree program may be eligible to exit with a Bachelor of Education Studies (108 units) or a Bachelor of Arts, but only on completion of 108 units of approved Bachelor of Arts topics.

Course aims

The course aims to produce graduates who:

  • are prepared to participate in a world that requires high levels of scientific, mathematical and technological literacy
  • can teach within and across learning areas
  • have developed studies in depth in two or three specific school curriculum learning areas relevant to teaching at middle or secondary school levels
  • are able to apply their knowledge and skills in a range of educational settings with diverse groups of students
  • have the capacity to undertake ongoing professional study through a variety of pathways.

Learning outcomes

In undertaking this double degree students will be able to:

  • demonstrate a commitment to working ethically and collectively with colleagues to achieve high quality, equitable outcomes for young people and the wider community
  • appreciate that teaching is a collaborative activity conducted within a professional community
  • recognise the ways that education can respond to the demands made by a complex and ever-changing world
  • understand that their work as teachers is moderated by policy frameworks and legal requirements
  • articulate an understanding of young peoples' development, and individual, social and cultural differences
  • form mutually respectful relationships with young people that support their intellectual, ethical and social growth
  • engage young people in informed decision-making with regard to their curriculum and learning environments
  • utilise teaching strategies that will foster in young people deep understanding, a capacity for independent inquiry, and learning in cooperation with others
  • apply the history, content and principles of their subject specialisations to construct academically rigorous, developmentally appropriate and socially equitable curriculum
  • work both independently and collaboratively with young people, colleagues and communities to construct curriculum that spans disciplinary boundaries and focus on real-world applications
  • develop authentic means for assessing learning and to inform their teaching and young people's learning
  • be familiar with theories, factual content and research procedures in their major field of study
  • be able to analyse and critically evaluate ideas and solve problems.

Strands

Secondary Schooling Strand

The secondary schooling strand in the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts focuses on teaching students who are in Year 8 - Year 12. During their secondary years young people develop their plans for post-secondary education and work. As secondary schooling teachers, graduates of this four-year pre-service qualification will play a key role in developing the knowledge, skills and resources that young people need to meet their goals.

The secondary schooling strand allows pre-service teachers to pursue a teaching specialisation in more depth and deepen their understanding in topics and issues of personal interest.  Graduates from the secondary schooling strand will be qualified to teach in at least two different school curriculum areas at secondary school level. The school curriculum subjects that are offered in the secondary schooling strand are:

English, Drama, Visual Art, Health Education, Information Technology, Junior Science, Biology, Earth Science, Mathematics, Languages other than English, Geography, History, Legal Studies, Society and Culture, Psychology and Business Education.

Middle Schooling Strand

The double degree Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts - Middle Schooling Strand, is designed to effectively develop the specialist knowledge and skills required for teachers in the middle years of schooling (Year 6 to Year 9).  This band of schooling encompasses the transition from primary to secondary schooling and requires teachers who have a specific understanding of the educational and personal needs of young adolescents. Graduates from this program typically seek employment in secondary schools, middle schools, R-12 schools or primary schools.

As part of the double degree program teacher education students will focus on preparing to teach in 3 different learning areas selected from the following:

Humanities and Social Sciences, Information and Design Technology, Drama, English, Visual Art, Science, Mathematics, Languages other than English, and Health Education. 

Credit

Limited credit may be granted for recognition of prior studies undertaken at the University or other approved tertiary institutions. Further information is available on this page.

Program of study

BEd(MSS)BA Secondary Strand Program of Study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

  • a Bachelor of Education component of 72 units
  • a Bachelor of Arts component of 72 units.

The Bachelor of Education component must include:

  • 9 units of Education topics at First Year level
  • 9 units of Education topics at Second Year level
  • 27 units of Education topics at Third Year level including professional experience
  • 27 units of Education topics at Fourth Year level including professional experience.

The Bachelor of Arts component must include:

  • 36 units of one Arts major sequence appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and

    EITHER
  • 27 units of Teaching Major and 9 units of Arts electives* 

    OR
  • Teaching Minor 1 plus a Teaching Minor 2.

Teaching Major

Students undertake a sequence of 6 topics appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule. The Teaching Major will consist of

  • 9 units of Year 1 topics;
  • 9 units of Year 2 topics; and
  • 9 units of Year 2 or Year 3 topics. 

Teaching Minor 1

Students undertake 22.5 units comprising:

  • 18 units of a minor appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and comprising:

                 9 units of Year 1 topics; and
                 9 units of Year 2 topics.

  • plus EDUC3531 Curriculum Specialisation A1: Curriculum Development in the Middle Years (4.5 units)

Teaching Minor 2

Students undertake an 18 unit minor appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and comprising:

  • 9 units of Year 1 topics; and
  • 9 units of Year 2 topics.

*BA electives can be selected from any of the BA majors/minors at any level provided the entry requirements are met.

Except with the permission of the Board:

  • no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice
  • professional experience topics may not be attempted more than once.

Students should note that teaching practicum topics require full-time commitment for their duration.

LIST OF TOPICS

The BA major and electives may be chosen from topics and topic sequences listed in the BA handbook. The minor strand of studies will be chosen from the BA handbook but choice of topics will be guided according to the course rules for this double degree.

Year 1 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1223  Middle Schooling Philosophy and Pedagogy  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1227 Professional Experience: Year 1 (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)

plus 9 units of BA Major topics

plus

9 units of Teaching Major topics AND
9 units of BA Elective topics

OR

9 units of Teaching Minor 1 topics AND
9 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics

Year 2 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC2320  Learners and their Development - Middle and Secondary Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2326 Professional Experience: Year 2A (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2426 Professional Experience: Year 2B (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)

plus 18 units of BA Major topics 

plus

9 units of Teaching Major topics

OR

4.5 units of Teaching Minor 1 topics AND
4.5 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics

Year 3 topics

 EDUC3531  Curriculum Specialisation A1: Curriculum Development in the Middle Years (4.5 units)
 EDUC3526  Literacies Across the Curriculum in the Middle and Secondary Years  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3530  Professional Experience: Year 3A (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)
 EDUC3620  Relationships for Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3627  Contemporary Issues in Secondary Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3642  Professional Experience: Year 3B (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3643  Curriculum Specialisation B1: Curriculum Context in the Middle Years (4.5 units)

plus

4.5 units of BA Major topics AND
4.5 units of Teaching Minor 1 topics  

Year 4 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC3628  Numeracy and ICT Across the Middle and Secondary Curriculum  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4720  Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4730  Curriculum Specialisation: Senior Years 2  (4.5 units)
 
EDUC4729  Curriculum Specialisation: Senior Years 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4742   Professional Experience: Final Assessment for Registration (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4820  The Professional Educator  (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units of BA Major topics

plus 4.5 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics 

BEd(MSS)BA Middle Schooling Strand Program of Study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Education (Middle and Secondary Schooling)/Bachelor of Arts, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

  • a Bachelor of Education component of 72 units;
  • a Bachelor of Arts component of 72 units.

The Bachelor of Education component must include:

  • 9 units of Education topics at First Year level
  • 9 units of Education topics at Second Year level including professional experience
  • 27 units of Education topics at Third Year level including professional experience
  • 27 units of Education topics at Fourth Year level including professional experience.

The Bachelor of Arts component must include:

  • 36 units of one Arts major sequence appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and
  • Teaching Minor 1 plus a Teaching Minor 2.

Teaching Minor 1

Students undertake 22.5 units comprising:

  • 18 units of a minor appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and comprising:

                 9 units of Year 1 topics; and
                 9 units of Year 2 topics.

  • plus EDUC3531 Curriculum Specialisation A1: Curriculum Development in the Middle Years (4.5 units)

Teaching Minor 2

Students undertake an 18 unit minor appropriate for teaching in the secondary years and selected from the relevant and available majors as listed in the BA Course Rule and comprising:

  • 9 units of Year 1 topics; and
  • 9 units of Year 2 topics.

Except with the permission of the Board:

  • no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice
  • professional experience topics may not be attempted more than once.

Students should note that professional experience topics require full-time commitment for their duration.

LIST OF TOPICS

The BA major and electives may be chosen from topics and topic sequences listed in the BA handbook. The minor strand of studies will be chosen from the BA handbook but choice of topics will be guided according to the course rules for this double degree.

Year 1 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1223  Middle Schooling Philosophy and Pedagogy  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1227 Professional Experience: Year 1 (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)

plus 9 units of BA Major topics

plus 9 units of Teaching Minor 1 topics

plus 9 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics

Year 2 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC2320  Learners and their Development - Middle and Secondary Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2326 Professional Experience: Year 2A (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2426 Professional Experience: Year 2B (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)

plus 18 units of BA Major topics 

plus 9 units of Teaching Minor 1 topics

Year 3 topics

36 units comprising 

 EDUC3531 Curriculum Specialisation A1: Curriculum Development in the Middle Years (4.5 units)
 EDUC3526  Literacies Across the Curriculum in the Middle and Secondary Years  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3530 Professional Experience: Year 3A (Middle and Secondary Schooling) (0 units)
 EDUC3620  Relationships for Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3626  Contemporary Issues in Middle Schooling  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3642  Professional Experience: Year 3B (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3643  Curriculum Specialisation B1: Curriculum Context in the Middle Years (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units of BA Major topics       

plus 4.5 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics  

Year 4 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC3628  Numeracy and ICT Across the Middle and Secondary Curriculum  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4720  Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4728  Curriculum Specialisation: Middle Years 3  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4729   Curriculum Specialisation: Senior Years 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4742   Professional Experience: Final Assessment for Registration (Middle and Secondary Schooling)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4820  The Professional Educator  (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units of  BA Major topics 

plus 4.5 units of Teaching Minor 2 topics

The recommended Bachelor of Arts majors or minors are:

* Secondary School Strand only
** Students can choose either English or Creative Writing but not both together
^ Only available as a Chinese Beginners stream. Advanced level students can enrol in the Advanced Chinese stream available cross-institutionally at the University of Adelaide. Please refer to : http://hss.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/undergrad/majorsminors/
# German and Japanese are available cross-institutionally at the University of Adelaide. Please refer to http://hss.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/undergrad/majorsminors/