Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

English Language Proficiency

A candidate shall comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Literacy and Numeracy Requirements

Candidates undertaking the Secondary Mathematics specialisation are required to enrol on a non-award basis in the unit MTHS100 Introduction to Quantitative Skills and complete this unit within 12 months of commencing the Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus).

Candidates undertaking the Secondary Science specialisation are required to enrol on a non-award basis in the units MTHS100 Introduction to Quantitative Skills and CHEM100 Introductory Chemistry and complete these units within 12 months of commencing the Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus).

Additional Requirements

All students intending to undertake a professional experience placement in Australia whose work is categorised as 'practical training as part of an educational or vocational course'; in schools or other educational institutions (eg pre-schools, kindergartens and child care centres) must complete an International Criminal Background Check.

Working with Children Check*

All students intending to undertake a professional experience placement whose work is categorised as 'practical training as part of an educational or vocational course', in schools or other educational institutions (eg pre-schools, kindergartens and child care centres), must complete a Working with Children Check application or appropriate overseas equivalent eg Nauru police records check.

Child Protection Awareness Training*

All teacher education students must complete online Child Protection and Awareness Training prior to the commencement of their first professional experience placement in a school setting.

Anaphylaxis Training*

All teacher education students must complete a course in anaphylaxis management prior to the commencement of their first professional experience in a school setting.
*These requirements are subject to change. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for current information (including requirements for other states).

Fit for Practice/Informed Consent Information

Prospective candidates should only accept an offer of a place in this course if they are able to meet the following "Fit for Practice" requirements:

• abide by the relevant UNE Rules and Procedures, for example, Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, and any relevant School of Education Policies, for example, the Professional Experience Policy for professional placements;
• exercise sound judgement based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of teaching situations;
  
• demonstrate personal resilience and persistence to cope and maintain wellbeing under stressful situations;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progression prior to professional placement;
• safeguard the University's integrity and demonstrate duty of care to students/children while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students/children;
• communicate to students/children with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to their age profile;
• possess and model the literacy and numeracy skills expected of teachers in interactions they have within the classroom and broader settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of students/children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school/early childhood community.

Candidates who have or who develop a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact Student Support to see if reasonable adjustments are practicable.

Candidates who have difficulties in meeting some of the above professional experience requirements will be required to contact the Office for Professional Learning to put in place remedial and/or counselling activities through a pro-active approach to improve their teaching practice.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points which includes 50 days of embedded Professional Experience for Primary and Secondary specialisations, and 65 days of embedded Professional Experience for the Early Childhood Education specialisation.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus).

Exit Pathways

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the non-accredited, non-teaching qualification, Diploma in Educational Studies, on completion of 48 credit points at 100-level or above.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Diploma in Educational Studies must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Associate Degree in Teaching (Pacific Focus). This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University or external body requirements.

Progress and Conduct

1. Any candidate who has not met the above Literacy and Numeracy requirements prior to the end of year one of their candidature will be asked to show cause as to why their candidature should not be discontinued.

2. In addition to the above:
(a) any candidate undertaking the Secondary Mathematics specialisation, who has not completed the non-award unit MTHS100 prior to the end of year one of their candidature will be asked to show cause as to why their candidature should not be discontinued; and
(b) any candidate undertaking the Secondary Science specialisation, who has not completed the non-award units MTHS100 and CHEM100 prior to the end of year one of their candidature will be asked to show cause as to why their candidature should not be discontinued.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.