The Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7)/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 (Primary R-7)/Bachelor of Arts requires completion of a total of 144 units.

A Lutheran pathway is available for students wishing to teach in that system (see Handbook). Specialist language education topics are available for those students who wish to teach a language(s) in Primary (R-7) schools.

Admission requirements

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

Limited credit may be granted for relevant topics taken at the University or other institutions.

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:

  • with the knowledge, technical and creative skills  to effectively  teach within and across learning areas in the primary years of schooling (Reception to Year 7)
  • who have studied in fields relevant to teaching in primary schools, with at least one learning area specialisation
  • able to apply their knowledge  creatively and skilfully in a variety of educational settings and with diverse groups of students
  • with the cognitive skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge
  • who are skilled professionals able to communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues and other professionals
  • who are able to work both independently and collaboratively
  • who can recognise the importance of ethical behaviour in the teaching profession
  • with an understanding of diversity as it applies in educational settings and in a range of educational contexts
  • motivated to undertake ongoing professional learning through a variety of pathways.

Learning outcomes

In undertaking the double degree program graduate students will:

  • develop knowledge of, and skills in, curriculum particularly related to their areas of study and with a focus on the learning areas for the primary years (R-7)
  • achieve the knowledge and understanding that different disciplines provide and also work across disciplinary boundaries to actively create cross-curriculum links
  • apply educational theory, knowledge and understanding to make informed professional judgements in diverse educational situations
  • develop the metacognitive skills to engage critically in the complex thinking required in learning and teaching
  • communicate effectively with school students in a range of engaging learning environments
  • engage collaboratively with school and local communities in conversations that promote wellbeing and inclusivity for all learners;
  • reflect critically on different teaching theories and practices, on their own teaching and on their lives, in order to strive for excellence and creativity in their teaching roles
  • work collaboratively with colleagues, school students, their families and the wider community towards achieving high quality learning outcomes
  • act ethically and responsibly in a professional role
  • use inclusive teaching practices that demonstrate an understanding and respect for diversity
  • establish a broad educational foundation for on-going professional development and life-long learning.

Credit

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

Program of study

To qualify for The Bachelor of Education (Primary R-7)/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 BA major sequence appropriate for teaching in the primary years and selected from the majors available as listed in the Introduction of the BA Course Rule and
  • 22.5 units of one BA minor sequence
  • EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students (4.5 units) and
  • 9 units of electives which can be selected from any of the BA majors/minors 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, minor and electives may be chosen from topics and topic sequences listed in the BA handbook.

Year 1 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC1120  Teaching and Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1222  English Curriculum Studies 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC1226 Professional Experience: Year 1 (Primary R-7) (0 units)

plus 9 units of BA Major topics

plus 9 units of BA Minor topics

plus 9 units of BA Elective topics

Year 2 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC2322  Learners and their Development (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2325 Professional Experience: Year 2A (Primary R-7) (0 units)
 EDUC2422  Mathematics Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC2425 Professional Experience: Year 2B (Primary R-7) (0 units)
 EDUC2420  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students (4.5 units)

plus 13.5 units of BA Major topics

plus  9 units of BA Minor topics

Year 3 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC3523  Expressive Arts Curriculum Studies: Visual Art, Drama, Media, Music and Dance  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3524  Health and Physical Education Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3529 Professional Experience: Year 3A (Primary R-7) (0 units)
 EDUC3620  Relationships for Learning  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3624  Science and Design & Technology Curriculum Studies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3625  Numeracy and ICT Across the Curriculum  (4.5 units)
 EDUC3641   Professional Experience: Year 3B (Primary R-7) (4.5 units)

plus 4.5 units of BA Major topics 

plus 4.5 units of BA Minor topics*

 *Language specialist teachers must consult with the Course Coordinator before choosing their BA Minor topics to ensure that EDUC3527  Investigating Languages Pedagogy in the Integrated Curriculum ( Primary R-7) is completed.  

Year 4 topics

36 units comprising

 EDUC4721  Differentiation for Diverse Learners (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4725  English Curriculum Studies 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4726  Social Sciences Curriculum Studies: History and Geography  (4.5 units)
 EDUC4741   Professional Experience: Final Assessment (Primary R-7) (4.5 units)
 EDUC4820  The Professional Educator  (4.5 units)

plus 9 units of BA Major topics 

plus 4.5 units of Education Elective Topics or

 *EDUC4831  Exploring Literacies and Intercultural Contexts in Languages Pedagogy (Primary R-7)  (4.5 units)

* topic taken by language specialist pre-service teachers only - in place of Education elective

The following majors or minors can be studied within the Bachelor of Arts component of the double degree: 

* 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/