This is a progressive course dedicated to producing future teachers ready to enter the Primary education profession. A variety of flexible admission options is available to suit applicants with different needs, all of which are required to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy as teachers require these skills to support the development of students. The course also includes the opportunity to complete a fast tracked final year and achieve eligibility for employment in schools from term 4 of that year.
 
A key feature of this course is the range and number of professional practice experiences offered to teaching students which ensure they can make the essential connection between theory and practice, while building both professional and generic employability skills in real teaching environments. Partnerships between the University and over 500 schools allow for teaching students to gain experience in diverse settings, including public, private, city or remote schools, working with children from differing economic, social, ethnic and educational circumstances.

Of particular importance within the course is an emphasis on the use of Information Technology in learning and teaching. As well as gaining the professional knowledge needed to successfully incorporate IT into learning programs, teaching students develop their own IT skills, ensuring graduates are professionally prepared for teaching. Likewise opportunities exist in the fourth year of the course for teaching students to focus on a specialised curriculum area. Successful completion of the course presents graduates with the opportunity to take up employment as outstanding teachers equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of young people and take on a classroom of their own.

Professional Practice: To undertake a professional practice in a school, ALL teaching students must have supplied ECU with evidence of the following valid clearance:

·         National Police History Check from the Department of Education WA.

In addition, all teaching students 18 years of age and over must have supplied ECU with evidence of the following valid clearance:

·         Working with Children Check from the Department of Child Protection WA.

Further information and application forms can be found at: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/screening/detcms/portal/

All Professional Practices are undertaken on a full-time basis and teaching students are required to give a full-time commitment to the school during the scheduled Professional Practice periods.

All Professional Practice units are designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once, unless otherwise determined by Board of Examiners. 

Mid Year Intake: In any given year that this course offers a mid year intake, initial enrolment mode for mid year applicants will be part-time only which may add an additional semester to their course duration.

NOTE: Students commencing study within the Bachelor of Education (Primary) course from 2012 onwards, and not entering with advanced standing, will be able to complete the entire course at the Joondalup campus. As units will become available at the Joondalup campus on a progressive basis, students entering the course with advanced standing may be required to complete some or all of the course units at the Mount Lawley campus.

NOTE: Graduates must meet the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Western Australia. Further information is available at http://trb.wa.gov.au/

Standard University admission requirements apply. Details are available at http://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/overview

Applicants who have received their qualifications from countries where English is not the only official language are required to demonstrate an Academic IELTS score with an overall band minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 6.5) or equivalent.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) is a 480 credit point degree. In the final semester of the course students may select one of three options:

Option 1: Students select 60 credit points consisting of two specified units (DTM4260 and EDU4260) and two Elective Specialisation units selected from one of the listed areas of specialty;

Option 2: Students select a School based project totalling 60 credit points; or

Option 3: Students undertake an internship totalling 60 credit points.

Please note the following:

1. Information regarding TRBWA's teacher registration requirements is available at http://trb.wa.gov.au/ 
2. Units are available in the Bachelor of Education degree which enable students to complete accreditation requirements to teach in Catholic schools.
3. In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory professional practice.
4. In the fourth year, students undertake an Assistant Teacher Program (ATP) comprising one term of approximately ten weeks of continuous teaching practice. The Assistant Teacher Program is conducted during the seventh semester of the course in the second term of the school year.
5. All students must adhere to the School’s Rule and Procedures in relation to professional practice. See http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/education/professional-practice.
6. This course has been designed to meet the needs of students wishing to fast track their studies.
7. Opportunities exist for students to complete a semester overseas through the Study Abroad Program.
8. All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) are required to demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy.