Bachelor of Education (Secondary)/Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies

This is a four-year double degree that leads to two careers at once: secondary school teaching, and outdoor or environmental education. You study both at the same time, so you graduate with two qualifications rather than one. The teaching side covers curriculum, pedagogy and adolescent learning, plus the subject areas you will eventually teach in a Queensland or Australian secondary school. The recreation and outdoor environmental studies side covers outdoor leadership, environmental interpretation, risk management, group facilitation, and the practical skills that go with taking people into natural settings.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are normally three years full time. A double degree like this one runs four years because you complete the requirements of two awards. Study is organised into semesters, and you enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need to pass the required number of credit points across both halves of the degree to graduate. Expect a mix of on-campus coursework, tutorials and workshops, practical outdoor skills sessions, and supervised professional experience in schools and outdoor settings.

Professional experience and placements

Teacher education in Australia includes supervised professional experience in schools, and this degree is no exception. You will spend time in secondary classrooms, working alongside a supervising teacher, building up to taking responsibility for classes. The outdoor and environmental side typically includes field-based practical work and placement with outdoor education providers, environmental centres or community organisations. These placements are assessed, and they are a required part of the course, not an optional extra.

Skills you build

You learn how to plan and teach secondary lessons, how to manage a classroom, how to assess student learning, and how to work with parents and school communities. From the outdoor side you gain outdoor leadership, navigation, camp craft, environmental interpretation, risk assessment and group management. The combination suits people who want to teach, but who also want to work outside the classroom, whether that is running school camps, leading field trips, or working in environmental or outdoor education centres.

Who it suits

This degree is for school leavers and career changers who want to teach secondary students and who enjoy the outdoors. It also suits people already working in outdoor recreation who want a teaching qualification, or teachers who want to add outdoor and environmental education to their skill set. Graduates of initial teacher education in Australia normally apply for registration with the relevant state or territory teacher regulatory authority; you should confirm the current registration requirements and the English proficiency standard for teaching with the university and the regulator. International students should also check the Department of Home Affairs English threshold for the Student visa, which is separate from the university's entry requirement. While you hold a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight once your course has started, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 088624G. Check the official course page for the current structure, placement requirements and entry details.

• Secondary school teacher in government, Catholic and independent schools across Australia
• Outdoor education instructor or leader with outdoor education providers, school camps and adventure organisations
• Environmental education officer in national parks, local councils, zoos, botanic gardens and community environmental groups
• Outdoor recreation coordinator in community sport, youth services and holiday programmes
• Field studies or camp teacher at residential outdoor and environmental learning centres
• Curriculum or resource developer for outdoor, environmental or health and physical education programmes
• Community programme officer in youth, sport and recreation or environmental not-for-profits
• Further study such as an honours year, master's degree or research higher degree in education or environmental studies