The Bachelor of Special Education is a graduate-entry program which requires one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent. It can be taken in internal or external mode.
The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed one of the following:
- three-year Diploma of Teaching; or
- a Bachelor of Education degree; or
- one-year Graduate Diploma in Education or the equivalent.
However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
This course aims to:
- prepare teachers for special education support work in regular schools
- increase the knowledge and skills of regular classroom teachers to successfully include students with diverse learning needs in their classrooms
- prepare teachers for work in special classes, special schools and special educational centres, at all levels from preschools through to TAFE.
Learning outcomes
It is expected that graduates will be able to:
- understand the philosophical, sociological and psychological perspectives of disability and special learning needs
- critically examine the current literature relating to learning, disability and diversity in learning needs
- develop an increased ability to apply current knowledge in their practice as special educators or in other professions
- collaborate and consult with parents and professionals to provide services to individuals with special needs
- critically examine and debate issues relating to disability and special needs.
Credit
Limited credit may be granted for recognition of prior studies undertaken at the University or other approved tertiary institutions. Further information is available on this page.
Program of study
To qualify for the Bachelor of Special Education, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
If part-time students are teaching, the practical work required in some topics may be undertaken at their school. Full-time students are required to gain practical experience in particular settings.
36 units of topics selected from the following:
Option - Year 1 topics
DSRS9060 Intellectual Disability (4.5 units)
DSRS9061 Management of Physical and Multiple Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS9062 Transition from School to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities (4.5 units)
DSRS9063 Autism Spectrum Disorder: Theory and Practice (4.5 units)
DSRS9064 Technology and Disability (4.5 units)
EDUC9129 Contemporary Issues in Special Education (4.5 units)
EDUC9307 Educational Planning and Assessment for Students with Special Needs (4.5 units)
EDUC9409 Intervention for Students with Numeracy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC9501 Understanding Behaviour in Educational Contexts (4.5 units)
EDUC9502 Assessment, Planning and Teaching in Behaviour (4.5 units)
EDUC9503 Supporting Behaviour Change (4.5 units)
EDUC9504 Supporting Positive Behaviour in Schools (4.5 units)
EDUC9511 Complex Communication Needs and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (4.5 units)
EDUC9512 Supporting Learners with Disability and Challenging Behaviour (4.5 units)
EDUC9513 Designing Individualised Functional Curriculum (4.5 units)
EDUC9521 Educating Children with Learning Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC9522 Intervention for Students with Literacy Difficulties (4.5 units)
EDUC9531 Current Perspectives in Early Intervention (4.5 units)
EDUC9532 Early Intervention: Learning From and Through Play (4.5 units)
EDUC9541 Studies in Vision Impairment 1 (4.5 units)
EDUC9542 Studies in Vision Impairment 2 (4.5 units)
EDUC9543 Studies in Braille: Research and Practice (4.5 units)
EDUC9544 Studies in Orientation and Mobility: Research and Practice (4.5 units)
EDUC9551 Introduction to Sensory Impairment (4.5 units)
EDUC9552 Collaborative Consultation (4.5 units)
EDUC9553 Autism Spectrum Disorders: Teaching and Learning (4.5 units)
EDUC9720 Directed Study in Education (4.5 units)
EDUC9791 Gifted Education: Conceptions of Giftedness, Intelligence and Creativity (4.5 units)
EDUC9792 Gifted Education: Curriculum and Differentiation (4.5 units)
Other topics may be selected with the permission of the Course Coordinator.