Educational Studies at Macquarie University

Undergraduate Coursework Handbook
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Educational studies at Macquarie University combine study, teaching, research and practical applications, and offer programs which prepare students for careers in teaching, children's services, education administration, research and policy development.

The School of Education prepares its students for careers in teaching or associated fields such as curriculum development, educational planning, educational research and policy development, through programs that provide a broad perspective on major issues facing education both within Australia and against an international background.

The School offers a four year combined program for students undertaking a Bachelor degree in Arts, Business Administration, Commerce or Science with a Diploma in Education. This program prepares graduates both theoretically and practically for teaching at either primary or secondary level.

Students who are interested in education as a theoretical academic study, but who do not intend to follow a career path in teaching, may take the first-year units as foundations for further study. As with all subjects in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the interdisciplinary policy at Macquarie allows for study of units offered by other Departments, provided the pre-requisites are satisfied. For a student of Education, any other subject chosen will contribute to their knowledge base.

The Institute of Early Childhood is a major provider of early childhood teacher education in NSW, through its Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) program. A graduate of this program may find employment as an early childhood educator in the kindergarten and early years of primary school, in pre-school kindergartens or child-care centres. Administration of children's services is another significant graduate destination, as well as coordination of such services for local government.

Students at the Institute of Early Childhood are offered a balance of liberal studies and core professional studies. They have the opportunity to develop their skills in critical enquiry and to acquire a broader understanding of varying traditions of learning, as well as benefit from the integration of theory, observation, reflection and practice, as emphasised in the core professional studies.