Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
Undergraduate | CSU-PRI-DEG | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Teach and support primary school students
Stack this teaching qualification with your current degree to become a primary school teacher. Explore curriculum and the classroom environment. Become a dynamic educator skilled in teaching English, creative arts, maths, science and more.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 17
- Price from
- $7,936
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)
About this degree
You'll develop effective teaching skills across the full range of subjects taught in NSW primary schools: English, creative arts, health and physical education, mathematics, studies of society and the environment, and science and technology.
The Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) from Charles Sturt University is for those who already hold an undergraduate degree, and provides a further teaching qualification in two years of full-time, or equivalent, study. This education degree prepares you to teach children aged five to 12, helping them develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to provide the best possible start in life.
Recommended study pattern
For students who enter the course with credit package EDU38C (64 points), having fully met the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) requirements for appropriate prior studies, the course consists of entry-level credit plus 17 core subjects (a total of 128 points) comprising the following:
14 core education subjects
Three professional experience subjects
Students who enter the course with credit package EDU37C (56 points) must complete one additional bachelor-level subject in order to fully meet NESA requirements for extended studies in a primary curriculum area in one of the seven curriculum areas.
Students who enter the course with credit package EDU36C (48 points) must complete an additional two further bachelor-level subjects in order to fully meet NESA requirements for extended study in a primary curriculum area in one of the seven curriculum areas.
Students admitted into the Languages primary curriculum area course who lack a prior approved Language curriculum method subject will be required to complete EML451 LOTE Curriculum Studies 1 and their entry credit package will be reduced by 8 points accordingly.
All subjects have a value of 8 points, with the exception of two subjects which have a zero point value and the final placement subject which has a 16 point value.
CORE SUBJECTS
Education Subjects
EEB435 Indigenous Australian Studies for Teachers
EEB446 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Education Program (0)
EED409 Learning and Development K-6
EEP427 Social Justice, Ethics and Inclusion in Classroom Practice
EMA410 Teaching and Assessing the Creative Arts
EMH419 Curriculum Studies: HASS
EML439 English Curriculum: Pedagogies in the Primary Years
EML449 Everyday Language and Literacies: Learning and Practice
EMM410 Mathematics in the Primary Years
EMM418 Mathematics: Content & Pedagogy
EMM420 Mathematics for Primary Teachers (0)
EMR408 PDHPE Curriculum and Pedagogy
EMS406 Science and Technology Curriculum
ESS419 Principles of Inclusive Education
Professional Experience Subjects
EPT455 Primary English Curriculum: Understanding Language and Literacy
EPT447 Professional Experience: Positive Primary Classroom Environments
EPT448 Final Professional Experience: Effective Teaching and Assessment in the Primary Years (16)
The placement components of the subjects EPT455 and EPT447 can be completed in an approved overseas school, where the mode of instruction is English, usually in an International School. The final placement subject, EPT448 , must be completed in Australia.
All students must complete a total of 60 days of professional experience placement across the degree, unless they have prior alternative placement approval from the Course Director.
NOTE: All initial teacher education students are required to pass both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) before commencement of the final professional experience placement as part of the accreditation requirements of this course. Further information about the LANTITE including how to register can be found on the LANTITE website of https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/
Restricted Electives
EML451 LOTE Curriculum Studies 1 – for Language students only
EMH409 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary Arts, Humanities and Languages - optional for Language students only
EML447 Highly Effective Teaching: Issues in Primary English - optional for English students only
EMS407 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary STEM - optional for Mathematics or Science & Technology students only
Extended Primary Curriculum Area Pathway
To enable a deeper focus in one curriculum area, the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) course features an Extended Primary Curriculum Area pathway which further develops teacher education students’ pedagogical content knowledge in a KLA. The ability to apply this specialist capability is assessed in the course’s capstone assessment task, the Teaching Performance Assessment which is completed as part of their final teaching placement.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study
The course has been designed and accredited to provide all students with an AITSL recognised ‘Primary Specialisation’ (referred to at Charles Sturt as an AITSL Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area) based on completion of the course requirements for the course that they are enrolled in inclusive of each Primary KLA: Creative Arts, English, HASS/HSIE, Mathematics, PDHPE, Science & Technology and Language.
AITSL Creative Arts, English, HASS/HSIE, Mathematics, PDHPE and Science & Technology
Students with in-depth study in these KLA areas will graduate with an AITSL Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area by completing the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) in the respective curriculum area.
AITSL Languages
Students must in-depth study in this KLA must also complete one curriculum method subject in Languages (EML451 ) and complete the TPA in the primary curriculum area Languages.
Students will be permitted to complete the subject EML451 LOTE Curriculum Studies 1 within the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree, however their credit package will be reduced by 8 points to ensure total points for the degree are not higher than 192 total points in line with the Enrolment Policy.
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study (Optional for NSW students)
There are four KLAs in which NESA endorse KLAs for in-depth and extended study: English, Mathematics, Science & Technology and Languages.
Graduates who have completed the requisite subjects for a NESA Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area receive recognition as part of their NSW teacher registration which may advantage them when seeking a teaching position in a NSW school.
NESA Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area: English, Mathematics and Languages (optional)
Where students choose to qualify with the NESA Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area, their credit package will be reduced by 8 points to enable them to complete their appropriate KLA subject from the following list, and also complete the TPA in that primary curriculum area:
EMH409 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary Arts, Humanities and Languages
EML447 Highly Effective Teaching: Issues in Primary English
EMS407 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary STEM
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area: Science & Technology (optional)
Where students choose to qualify with the NESA Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study in Science & Technology they must complete two additional subjects; ESC407 Classroom Technologies and EMS407 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary STEM, and also complete the TPA in the Science and Technology primary curriculum area.
Students will have the option to complete ESC407 and EMS407 within the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree, however their credit package will be reduced by 16 points to ensure total points for the degree are not higher than 192 total points in line with the Enrolment Policy.
Award requirements
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
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How to apply
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Entry requirements
Primary school teachers are qualified to teach all of the primary curriculum areas (also referred to as the Key Learning Areas or KLAs), and are required to have extended knowledge of one of these curriculum areas (which is determined in the application process which is detailed below).
Applicants for the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) must meet the following admission requirements:
A completed Bachelor’s Degree
Successful completion of acceptable undergraduate and or/postgraduate study that is equivalent to one year of study (1.0 Equivalent Full Time Study Load - EFTSL), usually equating to eight subjects, that fall under one or more of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) primary curriculum KLAs.
To ensure applicants have an extended depth of knowledge in one curriculum KLA, a minimum of four of the eight subjects must be within one of the following seven primary curriculum KLAs:
- English*
- Mathematics *
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS/HSIE)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Creative Arts (Music, Drama, Dance & Visual Arts)
- Science and Technology*
- Languages*
The program for which the applicant will be eligible for entry is therefore based on the applicant’s previous study in the respective primary curriculum KLA.
Charles Sturt takes a holistic approach to understand each applicant’s potential for academic success. Each student is assessed on a range of factors including academic readiness, previous study, work and life experience, motivation to succeed, and an awareness of the demands of tertiary study.
Applicants who do not fully meet these requirements may be offered a place in the Bachelor of Educational Studies course. This will enable completion of the required KLA subjects to meet entry requirements and permit re-application to the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary).
Upon entry to the course, a standard credit package will be given based on the extent to which the student's undergraduate and/or postgraduate study meets the requirements of NESA for prior discipline and curriculum method study. Refer to the Credit and Pathways information for further details.
NOTE* All Students will graduate the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree with an AITSL ‘primary specialisation’, referred to in this course as the Extended Primary Curriculum Area. In additional to this, NESA have developed additional criteria for students to voluntarily complete a ‘primary specialisation’ in areas of high demand in NSW (see the NESA website for more detail). Students can elect to complete additional subjects to graduate with a NESA recognised ‘Primary Specialisation’ in English, Mathematics, Science and Technology or Languages. Students wishing to pursue a NESA Recognised Extended Primary Curriculum Area should make contact as early as possible in the course.
English Language Proficiency Standard English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.
Refer to https://study.csu.edu.au/international/apply/course-entry/english-language-requirements
This will apply to both domestic and international applicants. Offer may be conditional on ELP but applicants will be required to provide evidence of meeting these requirements before the start of studies.
- A minimum overall Academic IELTS score of 7.5 (with no score below 7 in reading and writing, and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening) or a qualification deemed equivalent. Testing results must be obtained within two years from the date of your application for admission.
OR
- Completing a TOEFL IBT with an overall score of 102 (with a score of 23 or above in reading and writing, and a score of no less than 27 for speaking and listening). Testing results must be within two years from the date of your application for admissions.
OR
- International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) with a score of Level 4 in all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, undertaken at approved testing sites where the assessment is teacher focused. Testing results must be within two years from the date of your application for admissions.
OR
- Were born in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom or South Africa and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English.
OR
- If you were not born in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom or South Africa but have completed senior secondary study or at least a diploma in one of these countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English.
- Supplementary forms
- Teaching questionnaire
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.
More about credit
The credit packages which are awarded upon entry to the course are based on:
- The extent to which the applicant's previous academic background meets the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements for appropriate studies in a primary curriculum area. These requirements can be viewed in full at the NESA website.
- The Primary curriculum extended study program. All courses include an approved AITSL Primary Specialisation Pathway which is referred to as a Primary Curriculum Extended Study Program. Students in the Language course are required to complete an additional Language curriculum subject.
Students who elect to complete an approved NESA recognised Extended Primary curriculum Area Program in Mathematics or English will be required to complete an additional ‘Highly Effective Teaching’ subject. Students who elect to complete a NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Program in Science and Technology will be required to complete two additional subjects, a Technology Curriculum subject and a ‘Highly Effective Teaching’ subject. Students who elect to complete a NESA Extended Primary curriculum Area Program in Languages will be required to complete two additional subjects, a Language Curriculum subject and a ‘Highly Effective Teaching’ subject.
Upon admission, all students who meet the entry requirements in full are awarded 64 points of entry-level credit in recognition of prior completed relevant undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies. This is indicated as credit package EDU38C (64 points).
If one further subject is required to meet the NESA specifications, credit package EDU37C (56 points) is awarded, which permits an additional subject to be undertaken within the course.
If two further subjects are required to meet the NESA specifications, credit package EDU36C (48 points) is awarded, which permits two additional subjects to be undertaken within the course.
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Programs
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study Programs: English
Credit is awarded as outlined above. However, where students choose to qualify with the NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Program, their credit package will be reduced by 8 points to enable them to complete EML447 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary English within this degree.
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study Programs: Mathematics
Credit is awarded as outlined above. However, where students choose to qualify with the NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Program, their credit package will be reduced by 8 points to enable them to complete EMS407 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary STEM within this degree.
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study Programs: Languages
Credit is awarded as outlined above. However, where students have not completed the additional curriculum subject of EML451 LOTE Curriculum Studies 1 and EMH409 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary Arts, HASS/HSIE and Languages, their credit package will be reduced by 16 points to enable them to complete these subjects within this degree.
NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Study Programs: Science & Technology
Credit is awarded as outlined above. However, students will have the option to complete the additional curriculum subject of ESC407 Classroom Technology and EMS407 Highly Effective Teaching: Primary STEM to qualify for the NESA Extended Primary Curriculum Area Program in Science & Technology. If choosing this option, their credit package will be reduced by 16 points to enable them to complete these subjects within this degree.
Proficiency Credit or Reduction in Placement Hours based on professional experience
Students are required to complete a total of 60 days of professional experience in the course to meet accreditation requirements. Three subjects in the course include embedded professional experience days: EPT455 includes 10 days; EPT447 includes 20 days and EPT448 includes 30 days.
Students must be teaching in a primary school and will have usually have taught full time for at least one term at 80% teaching load. A proficiency credit application and a Principal Report verifying the applicant’s teaching against the professional standards will need to be completed and assessed by the Course Director.
For any student who is conditionally employed within a primary school setting and is successful in gaining Professional Experience Credit, the credit will only apply to the placement component of EPT455 Primary English Curriculum: Understanding Language and Literacy and/or EPT447 Professional Experience: Positive Primary Classroom Environments. The subject EPT455 includes learning outcomes aligned to K-2 English curriculum and the subject EPT447 includes learning outcomes aligned to the priority area Classroom Management.
It is a NESA course requirement that students must complete professional experience in a minimum of two diverse settings, as such, the student must then complete the remaining placement days in EPT447 and/or EPT448 Final Professional Experience: Effective Teaching and Assessment in the Primary Years placement requirements at a different school setting than the setting in which credit was awarded for.
Any student who completed professional experience as part of another incomplete degree may apply to have that professional experience recognised as equivalent in the same manner that they would apply for credit for other subjects.
The first two placement subjects (EPT455 and EPT447 ) can be completed in an approved overseas school where the mode of instruction is in English, usually in an International School. The final placement must be completed in Australia.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Study method requirements
Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:
EEB446 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Cultural Education Program
EPT447 - Professional Experience: Positive Primary Classroom Environments
EPT448 - Professional Experience: Consolidating Effective Teaching and Assessment in the Primary Years
EPT455 - English Curriculum: Understanding Language and Literacy
Career opportunities
Our Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) will qualify you for a range of exciting and rewarding employment opportunities.
- Work in public and private schools
- Primary school teachers work professionally as classroom teachers, executive teachers, principals and assistant principals.
- Impact lives
- Become a teacher who makes a real difference to the lives of young people in Australia. Explore your passion for education in an ever-changing world and provide children with a learning experience that will see them develop and take form as tomorrow’s leaders.
- Want to see the world?
- Teaching qualifications can lead to employment in a variety of settings around the globe.
Professional recognition
Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs including the Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) are accredited according to national standards prescribed by the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). These include both the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and the ITE Program Standards.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is the state-based regulator responsible for ensuring the implementation of the AITSL standards in NSW. In addition to being the NSW ITE program accrediting authority, they also administer teacher accreditation.
The Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) is accredited until 31 December 2024.
Career outlook
- Primary School Teachers:
- $93K to $120K