Course overview

Develop the skills and knowledge and understanding to become a qualified secondary school health and physical education teacher with Deakin’s Bachelor of Health and Physical Education. Discover how to create safe, inclusive and engaging learning environments and provide experiences that support lifelong health and physical activity. Explore areas including applied sports science, biomechanics, and motor learning and development and discover the science and art of movement education and performance skills.

Gain access to industry-standard resources and state-of-the-art facilities, including our Elite Sports Precinct and specialised teaching labs. This, combined with highly engaging and practical placements through our Professional Experience Program, means you will graduate motivated, well prepared and ready to embrace a meaningful career in education.

Our growing population requires qualified professionals who can teach and advise on the benefits of health and physical education. Ready to make a difference?
 

Deakin works closely with school partners and relevant organisations to deliver you customised learning experiences tailored to this degree. You will be learning about the biggest health issues facing our population – and the most effective ways to educate and build the capacity of young people in relation to them.

As part of your core studies, you will experience and practice using a variety of engaging teaching approaches in health, physical education and your chosen third discipline. You will learn foundation knowledge about the human body, including anatomical and physiological terminology. Through mediums such as sport, gymnastics and dance, you will explore the science and art of movement and performance. Gain an understanding of how the body reacts to movement and the repercussions this has on various body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and nervous systems).

Choose a third discipline to pair with your core studies and advance your cross-disciplinary knowledge while gaining a competitive advantage for employment. You can choose disciplines including:

• biology
• chemistry
• dance (Burwood only)
• drama (Burwood only)
• English
• history
• home economics (Burwood only)
• mathematics.

The Professional Experience Program is a key part of every Deakin teaching student’s course experience. Working with more than 1400 schools across Australia, we will arrange at least 80 days of placements for you in schools where you will learn from experienced teachers. You will also have access to specialised teaching spaces on campus to prepare for teaching.

Give your studies a different perspective and take part in our Global Education Program*. You’ll get to experience remote communities in Australia and abroad, while gaining credit towards your degree. Learn about Aboriginal culture while teaching in remote communities in the Northern Territory, or head to countries including Vietnam and Switzerland and learn about intercultural education.

Before beginning your studies, prospective teaching students need to successfully complete the Casper test – an online, video scenario-based test that lets you demonstrate your suitability for a teaching career.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, students must complete 32 credit points of units comprising:

• 26 core units 
• HSE010 Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety (0 credit point compulsory unit; this safety training must be completed before classes commence)
• 4 credit points of discipline study units in a third teaching method area
• 2 credit points of curriculum study units in the third teaching method area
•  
• Academic Integrity AAI018
• Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
• A maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
• A minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above

Students must additionally complete an Emergency First Aid Certificate (Level 2) and AUSTSWIM qualifications prior to graduation.

This course includes 80-days of supervised professional experience, and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA)*. This must be complete in the final year of study. Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has met the expected standard of performance for each of the Graduate Teacher Standards.

Students are also required to complete below two zero (0) credit point units ELN010 and ELN011 as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate from their course.

Students are required to meet academic progress and conduct requirements.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Recognition of prior learning

Students may be eligible to apply for credit for this course.

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

Career outcomes

Graduate ready to take your career into teaching within the private, independent or public education sectors or advisory roles. You can even work closely with sporting organisations.

As well as working as an educator, you may find yourself working in fields including:

• community programs
• government agencies
• human resource management
• private academies/agencies
• professional coaching
• sport management.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Professional recognition

Our education courses are accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), meaning you’ll graduate as a qualified educator. Students are eligible to apply for registration with VIT upon successful completion of this degree.