Associate Degree of Education

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2027 course information

Award granted Associate Degree of Education
Deakin course codeE200
Course credit points16
Course version3
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

Course information

For students who commenced from 2026 onwards

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool
OnlineNo
Duration2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course map - enrolment planning tool

The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 6

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Start your teaching journey with Deakin’s Associate Degree of Education, from a university ranked #3 in Australia and #13 globally for education. Designed for those new to university or unsure about entry requirements, this course introduces you to study and sets you on a pathway to becoming a teacher.  
 
You will complete core and foundation units from the Bachelor of Education (Primary) while building key skills in digital literacy, teamwork and critical thinking. Immerse yourself in the Deakin environment and experience our world-class teaching facilities. Gain a deep understanding of the following disciplines:  arts education, humanities, literacy, maths, science, Australian history and physical education. You will also complete a professional experience unit, including a compulsory five-day teaching placement. Graduates can transition into Deakin’s undergraduate teaching degrees (Casper test required), with maximum credit toward the Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Career opportunities

As a graduate of the Associate Degree of Education, you will have guaranteed entry into our Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, or Bachelor of Education (Primary) and credit towards this degree, provided you successfully complete the Casper test.

An associate degree equips you with the skills to succeed at both university and in your future career. Open yourself to employment opportunities as a qualified teacher or across a range of fields, including:

  • education
  • government departments
  • health sector
  • media
  • private academies/agencies
  • public service.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Participation requirements

The Associate Degree of Education involves compulsory school placements of 5-days in year 2.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Pathways

This course is designed to support your pathway into one of Deakin’s undergraduate teaching degrees. On successful completion of the Associate Degree of Education, you may articulate into one of the degrees below and be eligible for guaranteed entry, subject to meeting the entry requirements of that course.

Bachelor of Education (Primary)

You may receive up to 12 credit points of Recognition of prior learning for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education. Completion of both the associate degree and the Bachelor of Education (Primary) can be undertaken in 5-years full-time.

Bachelor of Health and Physical Education

You will not be eligible for credit of Recognition of prior learning for units undertaken in E200 Associate Degree of Education. Completion of both the associate degree and the Bachelor of Health and Physical Education can be undertaken in 6-year full-time.

^ All Applicants into a Deakin teaching degree must successfully complete an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes. Deakin University is using the Casper assessment tool. Casper is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Apply theoretical knowledge and skills in education to an emerging understanding of curriculum and pedagogy appropriate to the discipline-specific teaching and learning needs of students.
Use oral, written and electronic communication skills to coherently present knowledge and ideas in a range of educational contexts.
Navigate a range of digital technologies in order to locate, analyse, synthesise and communicate complex information.
Critically analyse and evaluate educational and scholarly materials in order to articulate rationales and philosophies for approaches to teaching and learning: curriculum, pedagogy and assessment.
Use knowledge and skills in education to generate creative, innovative and authentic solutions to a range of real-world problems encountered in learning environment and communities.
Act with autonomy, responsibility and accountability in learning and working independently and reflectively to deepen professional skills and knowledge of contemporary educational contexts.
Apply the theories of teamwork in order to work and learn collaboratively with others and as a member of a team in professional and scholarly contexts.
Apply emerging knowledge and skills in education to design innovative learning experiences that address social justice, equity, diversity and ethical issues.

Approved at Faculty Board 2019

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Course rules

To complete the Associate Degree of Education you must pass 16 credit points. This includes:

    • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit- point compulsory unit) in your first study period
    • ESL010 Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit- point compulsory unit) in your first year of study
    • 4 credit points of core foundation units
    • 12 credit points of core units

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full- time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Year 1

Compulsory 0-credit point units

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

To be completed in the first year of study:

ESL010Science Education Lab Safety Induction (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Foundation units

EAD110Communication Skills for Study and Work

EAD111Digital Literacy: Finding, Evaluating and Interpreting Information

EAD113Teamwork: Working Constructively with Others

Core units

EES102Scientific Knowledge for Primary Teachers

ECL101Science of Reading

ESM102Mathematical Knowledge for Primary Teachers

IND202Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships and Reconciliation on Unceded Lands

EEO101Teaching Primary Humanities 1

Year 2

Foundation Units:

EAD112Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Using Analysis to Develop Solutions

Core Units:

EEH116Teaching Primary Health and Physical Education

ETP103Foundations of Teaching: Becoming a Professional

EES245Teaching Primary Science 1

ETP104Foundations of Teaching: Planning for Teaching and Learning

ECA215Teaching Primary Creative and Performing Arts 1

EDU210The Brain and Learning

EWB205Creating an Inclusive Primary Classroom


Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Fees and charges

Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.

Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Estimate your fees

Further information

Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.

Contact Student Central