Edith Cowan University

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

This nationally accredited course is dedicated to producing future teachers ready to enter the primary education teaching profession.

A key feature of this course is the range and number of professional practice experiences offered to Pre-Service Teachers, ensuring they can make the essential connection between theory and practice, while building both professional and generic employability skills in real teaching environments. Partnerships between ECU and over 1,000 schools and early learning centres allow for Pre-Service Teachers to gain experience in diverse settings, including public, private, metropolitan, regional, rural or remote schools, working with children from diverse economic, social, ethnic and educational backgrounds. Final year Pre-Service Teachers can apply for a place in the internship program in a school. Pre-Service Teachers also have the opportunity to complete a formal specialisation in their Primary Education qualification. This enables you to obtain a deeper and broader level knowledge and understanding in a particular Learning Area at the graduate level. Units are also available in the degree that enable students to complete accreditation requirements to teach in Catholic schools.

Important course notes

Non standard timetable requirements
Students have the opportunity to complete a fast-tracked final year and achieve eligibility for employment in schools from Term 4 of that year.

Internship option

The internship unit (EDU4227) enables final year Pre-Service Teachers to fulfill a diversity of roles and/or assume increasing responsibility for the tasks and duties normally performed by employees in an approved context that may include school, community or industry. 

Attendance requirements
Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements

Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required
The Department of Education Western Australia and cooperating non-government schools have the right to determine 'fit and proper persons' to enter and practice in schools. For these reasons, all Pre-Service Teachers 18 years of age and over will be required to have a current Department of Education ationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and a current Working with Children Check (Bluecard mandatory), or the equivalent clearance issued by the relevant State authority before commencing this period of Professional Practice.

Professional practice rules
During the placement, it is imperative that Pre-Service Teachers always demonstrate professionalism and respect for industry partners. Pre-Service Teachers must abide by the professional standards set out in the ECU Student Code of Conduct and comply with the applicable University policies and rules.

Registration
Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession.
Graduates must meet the Teacher Registration Board of WA (TRBWA) literacy and numeracy proficiency requirements prior to graduation for teacher registration in Western Australia.