Inspire others with your passion for health and outdoor education
Want to work as a HPE teacher, or share your love of the great outdoors?
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- Applicants must demonstrate non-academic capabilities as per Personal Statement requirement. Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests - refer to English language requirements.
Want to work as a HPE teacher, or share your love of the great outdoors?
This program prepares you to teach Years 7-12 in health and physical education, plus another teaching area of your choice. With a double degree, you'll graduate with more options - you can also choose to pursue a career outside of schools, in outdoor and environmental education centres, adventure tourism and ecotourism.
In this program you will:
- complete 80 days of supervised professional experience in Queensland schools, 15 days of wider field experience, and 25 days outdoor environmental fieldwork, including residential camping experiences on K'gari-Fraser Island.
- learn in quality sport and exercise science laboratories, accredited by the National Sport Science Quality Assurance program at the Australian Institute of Sport.
- choose from a range of disciplines for your second teaching areas, including English, History, Geography, Coastal and Marine Environments.
- graduate eligible to register with the Queensland College of Teachers.
Program structure
Required courses (18) 216 units
COR109 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
EDU114 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
EDU300 Personality and Assessment
EDU328 Human Associative Learning
EDU368 Abnormal Psychology
EDU369 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
EDU410 Adult Development and Ageing
EDU411 Advanced Statistics in Psychology
EDU412 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
EDU415 Professional Practice of Psychology
EDU417 Ethical and Professional Issues In Psychology
EDU419 Research Dissertation A
EDU420 Research Dissertation B
EDU421 Communication and Thought
OES100 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
OES101 Assessing Learning
SCS203 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
SPX102 Teaching Junior Secondary HPE
Required curriculum and pedagogy courses (2) 24 units
PLUS select 2 courses (24 units) to match your chosen Minor:
EDU347 Teaching Senior Secondary HPE
EDU348 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
EDU352 Professional Experience: The Professional Teacher
EDU353 Diversity and Inclusion
EDU356 Teacher as Researcher
EDU357 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
EDU358 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
EDU359 The Psychology of Learning
EDU363 Using Data for Learning
EDU364 Outdoor Living and Travel Skills
Health and Physical Education major (8) 96 units
OES240 Foundations of Outdoor Environmental Studies
OES300 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
OES301 Introduction to Coaching Science
NUT203 Teaching Junior Secondary English
NUT310 Teaching Senior Secondary English
SPX101 Teaching Junior Secondary Science 1
SPX103 Teaching Science: Curriculum B
SPX231 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum A
Minor (4) 48 units
Coastal and Marine Environments
English
Geographical Studies
History
Mathematical Studies
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses (120 units), including the core course
- Complete 80 days Supervised Professional Experience, completed as full-time blocks, and 75 hours of Wider Field Experience
- Complete 25 days Outdoor Environmental Fieldwork on Fraser Island and other natural environments across South-East Queensland
- Successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
In order to commence Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) placement you must:
- Obtain a Blue Card (or link your existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information
- Complete PrePlace and a Student Placement Agreement (further information will be provided by the placement office upon enrolment)
- Be willing to travel to attend supervised professional experience placements
- Visit Education - Supervised Professional Experience (SPE) for more information regarding requirements for placements
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Cross-institutional study is not permitted for the education (EDU) coded courses and SCS203 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum B in the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) / Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Students will need to be aware of the physical components and location requirements of the program. If you have a disability, medical condition or any concerns that may affect your potential participation in some of the practical components of the program, you are invited to discuss your options with the program coordinator
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.