Welcome to the Faculty of Education (ACU education) at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
ACU education has a longstanding reputation as a leading provider of quality teacher education and currently provides courses for close to 8000 students, making it one of the largest providers of teacher education programs in Australia. We offer learning, professional development and research opportunities for prospective teachers, practicing educators and leaders, education researchers and related professionals. Working with partners in schools, early childhood settings, communities, agencies and governments, we are constantly seeking new and improved ways to support Australia’s education system.
A qualification from ACU education will give you access to a dynamic profession that will provide you with an opportunity to guide the development of young people from early childhood through to secondary school and the ability for graduates to work in a range of areas, including in leadership roles.
ACU education is guided by a fundamental concern for justice and equity where graduates are highly competent teachers and leaders with a commitment to the promotion of social justice, equity and the common good and their actions reflecting a respect for all human beings. Nationally, we are a leading provider of programs for Indigenous students with over 200 students enrolled in ACU education undergraduate and postgraduate programs. On an international scale we are involved with partnerships with overseas educational organisations delivering programs for disadvantaged communities in East Timor, Mauritius and Pakistan.
We offer both undergraduate and postgraduate pre-service teacher education programs. An integral part of the programs is the professional experience component that embeds practice with theory. The programs provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to apply and reflect upon a diverse range of educational practices appropriate for learners in early childhood, primary, secondary and special classroom settings, nationally and internationally.
Our undergraduate programs have a reputation of high academic rigour that meets accreditation standards, with strength in the national priorities of literacy, numeracy, science and technology education. The pre-service education courses and education pathway courses prepare you for a career in education in areas such as government and the independent and Catholic education sectors in Australia and internationally.
In addition to the four year undergraduate teacher education programs, we offer a suite of graduate entry pre-service teacher education programs for primary and secondary teaching. We also offer awards in the related area of disability studies such as the Bachelor of Inclusive Education and Disability Studies. Graduates qualify with a holistic view of disability and the social structures that influence learning and development for people with a disability.
With a focus on preparing professional educators for lifelong learning we offer a range of postgraduate programs to continue the professional learning of educators at all levels of the teaching profession.
Our research profile focuses on its areas of strength in teaching and learning and is organised around the theme of Quality, Equity and Diversity. Areas of strength are Learning and Leadership, Religious Education and Mathematics Education and increasingly Literacy Education and Indigenous Education. The Faculty is home to a number of internationally recognised experts. In the recent Excellence for Research in Australia (ERA) ranking the Faculty achieved at world standard for curriculum and pedagogy in the Education cluster.
ACU education offers a number of research degrees. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) fosters development of independent research skills and the ability to relate a specific research topic to a broad framework of knowledge. It is practically oriented and useful in developing an effective understanding for the application of solutions to real world problems. The Doctor of Education (EdD) is research-based, but concerned with the reflective application of advanced knowledge to problems of professional practice. The Doctor of Education is designed for professionals who wish to undertake doctoral level study so as to expand their theoretical bases for practice, to analyse current ideas and issues, and to address problems in educational practice. The Master of Education (Research) provides an excellent opportunity for students wishing to pursue a research pathway towards an EdD or PhD. It allows for an in-depth investigation of a particular issue of educational concern under the guidance of a supervisor.
Whether you come to ACU education to study, work, collaborate on a research project or network with our staff and students, we welcome you to experience the unique approach that the Faculty brings to the important work of educating our teachers and education leaders for the future; teachers and education leaders who are committed to a more just and equitable society and a sustainable environment.
I hope that you find us a supportive and stimulating learning community where you feel that you can contribute.
Marie Emmitt
Professor and Executive Dean of Education