Professional development

Pre-service teachers at La Trobe will all learn together in first year under new plan

Freya Lucas

Aug 24, 2022

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Prospective early childhood teachers (ECTs) at all La Trobe University campuses will learn alongside their primary and secondary counterparts during their first year, before peeling off into specialisations.

Students undertaking the new-look Bachelor of Education will complete the first year of the degree as a single cohort, helping build understanding and collaboration across the teaching spectrum – from early childhood to secondary.

The Bachelor of Education – with the option to specialise in either Early Childhood and Primary, Primary or Secondary teaching – will be available at all campuses from 2023 (Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Bundoora, Mildura and Shepparton)

La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO said the expansion of the Bachelor of Education offering will help build the teacher workforce where it is needed most.

“We know that across the country this critical workforce is under strain – and this is particularly being felt in rural and regional areas,” Professor Dewar said.

Professor Dewar said the University was also tackling the teacher shortage issue by providing a high-quality degree program that supports students through their studies.

“La Trobe’s Bachelor of Education completion rate is far higher than the national average, meaning the vast majority of our students are qualifying to become teachers,” Professor Dewar said.

“While the sector-wide average completion for Initial Teacher Education students is around 50 per cent, La Trobe’s teacher education completion rate is more than 70 per cent – making a significant difference to schools and the community.”

Prospective students can find out more about the courses on offer at the Bendigo campus Open Day, Sunday 28 August, 10am to 3pm and can register via the website.

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