Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary)

School of Health Sciences

If you have a passion for sport and physical health and want to teach secondary students during their formative teenage years, The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree is ideal. It will give you the qualifications to teach Health & Physical Education to students aged from 12 to 17 years in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools. So contact us today to start making a difference.

• Why study this degree?

  Suppose you want to make a difference by improving high school-aged children's health, well-being and physical literacy. In that case, the Health & Physical Education degree, a four-year specialist teaching qualification, is a perfect choice.

  In addition to the compulsory Health Science courses, you will complete nine general education courses to give you a well-rounded teaching qualification.

  This degree will provide you with essential knowledge, and practical skills to enable you to teach others to manage their health and well-being through physical activity. This degree is also available with a primary education focus.

  The Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree is an accredited initial teacher education program (AITSL). Graduates are eligible for professional accreditation with the Teacher Registration Board of WA to teach in Western Australian schools.

• Program summary

  20 required courses – Health Sciences

  • Health Communications
  • Physical Activity and Health
  • Human Structure and Function
  • Physiology of Exercise
  • Applications of Function Anatomy to PE
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Motor Development & Learning
  • Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
  • Sports Events Management for Teachers
  • Adapted and Inclusive Practice in HPE
  • Exercise Biomechanics
  • Health Education One
  • Health Education Two
  • Outdoor Education One
  • Outdoor Education Two
  • Physical Performance Laboratory One
  • Physical Performance Laboratory Two
  • Physical Performance Laboratory Three
  • Physical Performance Laboratory Four
  • Physical Performance Laboratory Five

  Nine required courses – Education

  • Transforming Learning Through ICT
  • Foundational Teaching Skills
  • Introduction to Teaching and the Curriculum Framework
  • Psychological Principles of Classroom Management
  • Advanced Teaching Skills
  • Internship Preparation
  • Professional Responsibilities of the Teacher
  • Educating Indigenous Students
  • Transition to Teaching

  Four teaching practicum placements

  • Classroom Immersion – Two weeks
  • School Experience One – Five weeks
  • School Experience Two – 10 weeks
  • Teaching Internship – 10 weeks

  Additional courses for Secondary degree

  • Teaching Methods (Minor Teaching Area)
  • PLUS four electives courses from minor teaching area

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

• Entry requirements

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below.  In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy minimum requirements outlined at admission requirements. These include those relating to age and English Language Proficiency.  We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education:

  • Indicative ATAR of 75 with a score of 50+ in ATAR English, ATAR Literature or ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD); or
  • Minimum International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 28

  Applicants with Higher Education Study

  • Other university studies completed at undergraduate level or higher, a minimum of 4 successfully completed subjects;

  Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then, but with relevant work and life experience. Such experience may include, but is not limited to:

  • STAT scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and Written English section are required
    OR
  • Mature-age completion of two Year 12 WACE or HSC exams with a resulting ATAR of 80 or above
    OR
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) or equivalent results if these have been completed within the last 5 years.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

  • Completed AQFCertificate IV or higher.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) graduates will be able to:

  1. Interpret research, contemporary issues and current practice within the field of Health and Physical Education to maintain professional knowledge and independent lifelong learning
  2. Plan, implement and evaluate effective teaching and learning experiences that cater for the full range of student abilities developed from an evidence based curriculum content, curriculum documents, pedagogy and applied to a secondary school setting
  3. Demonstrate the essential skills such as planning, organisation, presentation, team work and problem-solving required for professional practice
  4. Exemplify professional knowledge, attributes and skills, gained through work integrated learning during practicum experiences, to maintain a supportive and safe environment for students in a secondary setting
  5. Apply interpersonal skills that are ethical and professional to engage in partnerships with colleagues, external professionals, families and communities
  6. Exemplify continued learning, self-reflection and critical thinking throughout professional life; and
  7. Articulate objective and universal truth, appreciate the intrinsic dignity of the human person, and exhibit good intellectual, moral and theological habits.

• Practical component

  You will complete a 27-week practical  component comprising of:

  Classroom Immersion – Two weeks
  School Experience One – Five weeks
  School Experience Two – 10 weeks
  Teaching Internship – 10 weeks

• Career opportunities

  Teachers graduating with a Bachelor of Health & Physical Education (Secondary) degree will be able to work in Australian high schools as specialist Health & Physical Education teachers in high Catholic, Independent and Government schools or as Health Education Consultants.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program.  Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Health & Phsyical Education (Secondary) (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Health Sciences.

• Study abroad

  A global perspective adds a valuable dimension to your university education. At Notre Dame University you can study while experiencing the world. We encourage students to become active global citizens through a range of exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit International Opportunities to find out more.

• Professional accreditation

  The Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) and the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) (Honours) are accredited under the national body the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) via the agency of the Teachers Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  CSP
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
  • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  HECS-HELP
  The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

• Student profile data

  The tables below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this Program. It provides data on all students who commenced in this Program in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  TABLE 1a – Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) BASIS OF ADMISSION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  Applicant background	Semester 1 2021
  	Number of students	Percentage of all students
  (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	24	56%
  (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	N/A	N/A
  (C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	<5	N/P
  (D) Recent secondary education: Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	<5	N/P
  Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, interview, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	<5	N/P
  Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, interview, school marks &   recommendation with no minimum ATAR requirement)	13	30%
  International students	N/A	N/A
  All students	43	100.0%

  TABLE 1b – Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) ATAR PROFILE DATA FOR APPLICANTS ENTERING ON THE BASIS OF RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SEMESTER 1, 2022 INTAKE

  RECENT SECONDARY EDUCATION - ATAR-based offers	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) *	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *[only if relevant]
  Highest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Median rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A
  Lowest rank to receive an offer	N/A	N/A

  Notes:  

  “<5” – the number of students is less than 5
  N/A – Students not accepted in this category
  N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent the calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

  In 2022, due to COVID, additional adjustment factor points were granted to applicants from NSW, ACT and VIC.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.