COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at James Cook University (JCU) prepares students to create positive, engaging, and inclusive learning environments for adolescents. The program emphasizes the development of professional teaching skills, intercultural awareness, and ethical approaches to education, grounded in current research and policy that addresses social justice, diversity, and sustainability. Students also gain specialised strategies to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those from rural and remote communities.Practical experience is a key component of the degree, with students undertaking 85 days of placements throughout their studies. These placements begin in the first year and take place in metropolitan, rural, and remote schools, providing opportunities to apply teaching theory, develop classroom management skills, and engage with diverse student populations. The hands-on experience equips graduates with the confidence and expertise needed to make a meaningful impact on young learners’ academic, social, and emotional development.Students select two teaching areas to specialise in, tailoring their degree to their interests and career goals. Teaching areas offered at JCU include biology, business, chemistry, economics, English, French, geography, health and physical education, history, information and communication technologies, Japanese, legal studies, mathematics, physics, industrial technologies and design, and food technologies and design. This flexibility ensures graduates are prepared to deliver lessons across multiple secondary school contexts and meet curriculum requirements.Through the combination of theoretical study, professional placements, and specialisation in two teaching areas, graduates of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) are well-equipped to become competent, reflective, and culturally responsive secondary school teachers. The program fosters practical skills, professional knowledge, and the confidence to support diverse student populations, making a lasting difference in schools and communities across Australia.