• Charles Sturt University is preparing to begin its first session of a suite of new education degrees
• The Bachelor of Education (Primary) and the six Bachelor of Education (Secondary) courses are tailored to today’s dynamic education sector
• The new degrees have already welcomed approximately 430 collective applications

Charles Sturt University is preparing for the first session of its new targeted primary and secondary education degree offerings tailored to the needs of learners during critical developmental years.

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) courses are tailored to meet the needs of teacher education students via online-only and hybrid learning options and a dedicated placement team to ensure practical components of the courses can be completed close to home.

After recently opening for enrolments, the Bachelor of Education (Primary) already has more than 300 applications, while the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) has close to 130 applicants.

Course Review Lead in the Charles Sturt School of Education Ms Penny Stephens said the new offerings would prepare the next generation of teachers for a fulfilling career.

“The University has been teaching teachers for decades with a reputation for longevity, knowledge and success, and we aim to continue this with the new degrees,” Ms Stephens said.

Riverina Anglican College in Wagga Wagga Principal Mr Craig Mansour welcomed the new, targeted degrees and said it would go a long way toward helping create a positive learning environment.

“It’s clear to me as a school leader that staff who know and understand the different ages students are at and are trained to respond to the particular needs of each age group are best prepared to educate our students,” Mr Mansour said.

“I’m thrilled to see Charles Sturt University making this a priority by dividing the degrees, because we want senior staff to understand what the often-challenging teenage years are like. On the other side of the coin, it is also ideal to have primary teachers understand the great leaps in development of our younger students on a behavioural, psychological and intellectual level.”

Those studying the secondary education offerings will be able to select two teaching areas from a variety of choices to hone their skills in. Students will choose from Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), Science, Creative Arts, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), English and Mathematics.

“We understand that each of our students have different passions, skills and areas of expertise,” Ms Stephens said.

“Sso to be able to offer courses that are designed to develop their knowledge and skills through in-depth studies in two teaching areas will assist them to be able to meet the demand for skilled educators in these specific fields,” Ms Stephens said.

“Students will be prepared to teach using evidence-based pedagogical approaches that are responsive to the well-being needs of secondary school learners.”

The full list of secondary courses available include:

• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) English
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Mathematics
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Science
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Creative Arts

The Bachelor of Education (Primary) will qualify graduates to teach across the primary years of kindergarten to Year 6 with the opportunity to choose a primary curriculum area, such as PDHPE, Creative Arts, English, HSIE or STEM to specialise in.

Students can also focus on areas that complement and enhance their primary teaching abilities, such as psychology, early childhood education or literacy and ICT in education in their elective studies.

“Whether you aspire to guide the bright minds of students in kindergarten through to Year 6 or are drawn to the dynamic world of educating older students from Years 7 to 12, these new programs are tailored to fuel your passion and prepare you for success in shaping the next generation and making a difference in their lives,” Ms Stephens said.

The new degrees, beginning in 2025, will be available through a combination of online and on-campus learning, with the primary education course being offered at Charles Sturt in Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Port Macquarie, as well as a completely online option.

Similarly, the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) PDHPE will be offered in mixed mode on all campuses with the other secondary education courses being available online only.

For more information, visit the website.