Disability Studies

Description

Teaching is a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy being part of children's development. The professional skills learned will be valued by the community and will bring teachers into contact with people of all ages. Teachers are members of one of the largest professions of our society. The degree will give students the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become a successful secondary teacher. Students are encouraged to be independent learners who are able to adapt efficiently and constructively to meet the changes which occur in the teaching profession.

Teacher Registration: Students should note that teacher registration requirements vary from state to state. UNE bases its degree structures on the NSW Institute of Teachers guidelines, under the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership framework for teacher registration. It is the responsibility of each student to check their eligibility to teach with the relevant state authority (including students who intend to teach in NSW).

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Special Education(Primary)/Bachelor of Disability Studies prepares teachers to work in an inclusive setting (local primary school) or a special class (within a local primary school or within a special school). In addition, this degree builds graduates' capacity to work in disability services as a programme coordinator, educator or supervisor and in other roles related to community participation, recreation and leisure, accommodation, employment and day programs for individuals with a disability.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline You are advised to apply as early as possible Tuition fee

• EUR 12680 Year (National)
• EUR 12680 Year (International)

Start date February,October 2015 Credits 192
Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode Online Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible Attendance No Attendance Teacher support Continuous support with feedback on request

Course Content

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Special Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Disability Studies aims to provide candidates with:

(i) a professional qualification that meets the well accepted requirements for primary initial teacher education in Australia, including the accreditation requirements of the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership; and

(ii) UNE Graduate Attributes:

• - knowledge of discipline;
• - communication skills;
• - global perspective;
• - information literacy;
• - life-long learning;
• - problem solving;
• - social responsibility; and
• - team work.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

know their subject/content and how to teach that content to their students;

know their students and how students learn;

plan, assess and report for effective learning;

communicate effectively with their students;

create and maintain safe and challenging learning environments through the use of classroom management skills;

continually improve their professional knowledge and practice; and

be actively engaged members of their profession and the wider community.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline

Knowledge of discipline is taught in all units. It is assessed through face-to-face and/or online activities and assessment tasks. It is practised through professional experience in primary school settings and special education and community settings with a core business of catering for people with a disability.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are an integral part of teaching and learning. They are taught, assessed and practised through professional experience in a variety of settings and assessment tasks, including online activities.

Global Perspectives

This attribute is specifically taught and assessed in units that have a more global focus or require planning and programming related to diverse cultures and individuals with a disability.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is specifically taught in the core ICT unit and is also an integral part of most units and specific units of study requiring acquirin g and developing augmentative and alternative communication. It is assessed and practised via the online Learning Management System, eSubmission of word processed assignments, online quizzes. Some assignments also require particular information literacy skills.

Life-Long Learning

This course provides an opportunity for students to engage and practice skills that cross a variety of professional settings that characterises change and lifelong learning.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is taught throughout the degree via an emphasis on the development of reflective practice and issues relating to health and disability. Students practise problem solving in assessment tasks that require application of their learning in a variety of practical and professional contexts that are school and community based.

Social Responsibility

There are units throughout the degree with a specific focus on social responsibility that relate to school, special education and disability settings. Students are taught to develop ethical responsibility for others and particularly those people with a disability to understand that personal beliefs and actions have lasting effects on others.

Team Work

Students work in cooperative groups, either face-to-face or online, in many education units. Some units have collaborative assignments. Students learn that personal accountability is imperative as it affects the collaborative outcome. Cooperative learning is also specifically taught in the degree.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 7.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).

English Language Proficiency

At least one of the following criteria must be met:

A1. English is the applicant's first language; or

A2. Satisfactory completion, not more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least four years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or

A3. Satisfactory completion, not more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least four years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in an institution in which English is the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or

A4. (a) An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least a minimum overall score of 7.5 including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing; or

(b) A Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT) result of Band A in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing; or

(c) An International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Band 4 Literacy and Numeracy Requirements

Candidates must also demonstrate the equivalent of NSW HSC Band 4 Standard English or English as a Second Language and NSW HSC Band 4 General Mathematics or completion of Mathematics or Extension Mathematics to an equivalent standard. Candidates who cannot demonstrate this level of attainment will be required to apply for admission into the Teacher Education Enabling Course and successfully complete one or both of the units ENGL001 and/or MATH122. Candidates may, with approval of the Course Coordinator, be concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Special Education (Primary)/Bachelor of Disability Studies and the Teacher Education Enabling Course, subject to meeting the Progress and Conduct rules.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Alumni Study Travel Fund

  Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

• Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

  The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of New England.

Funding

Scholarships have been offered by DEC NSW in 2014 with applications open from May 2013. The following website will provide details: www.une.edu.au/bsebds