Bachelor of Outdoor Education
Course code/s: Bendigo (EBOEB)
Outdoor education is the study of the relationships humans have with nature through outdoor experiences. The program is designed for motivated students who seek careers in outdoor education, adventure guiding, environmental education or related fields. A strong emphasis is placed on environmental knowledge and gaining practical experience. The course combines practical fieldwork outdoor activities with theoretical studies. Core fieldwork subjects include: bushwalking, paddling, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and naturalist studies. The academic perspective centres on how knowledge is shaped by new environments and how the environment, in turn, is shaped by our thoughts and practices. The theoretical aspects of the program include: environmental science studies and outdoor education concepts drawn from psychology, education, eco-psychology, environmental ethics and eco-philosophy. Students undertake a minimum of 130 days of practical work over three years.
Graduates from the course are employed by schools, at camps, in outdoor travel and by land management authorities and commercial outdoor companies. When combined with a Graduate Diploma in Education the course can lead to a teaching qualification. Graduates may also go on to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Outdoor Education), and/or to Masters and Doctoral study.
Admission requirements
Students should satisfy the normal university entrance requirements, including a study score of at least 20 in Units 3 and 4 of English.
Special requirements
Special entry applicants or students who have completed year-12 more than 12 months prior to application should complete the VTAC Personal Information form. Special entry applicants may also be required to sit for the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice.
Students should ensure they are aware of the physical components and location requirements of the course. Students with a disability, medical condition or any concerns which may affect potential participation in some of the practical components of the course are invited to discuss their options with the course coordinator.
Course structure
The course is a three-year full-time program. It consists of 360 credit points of study.
First year
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Ways of Knowing Nature | OED1WKN |
| TE-SEM-1 | Outdoor Living and Travel Skills | OED1AOL |
| TE-SEM-1 | Field Experience A | OED1AFE |
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Australian Landscapes | OED1RAL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Worldviews and the Environment | OED1WE |
| TE-SEM-2 | Naturalist Studies | OED1NS |
| TE-SEM-2 | Introduction to Winter Alpine Environments | OED1BFE |
| TE-SEM-2 | Outdoor Environments | OED1OEE |
Second year
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-S | Field Experience C | OED2FEC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Safety in Outdoor Environments | OED2OLB |
| TE-SEM-1 | Environment Elective 1 |
|
| TE-SEM-2 | Australian Culture and Land | OED2ACL |
| TE-SEM-2 | Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments | OED2OLA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Environment Elective 2 |
|
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective 1 |
Environment Electives:
| TE-SEM-1 | Bush Environments | OED2BE |
| TE-SEM-1 | Rock Environments | OED2R |
| TE-SEM-2 | River Environments (White Water) | OED2RE |
| TE-SEM-2 | River Environments (Flat Water) | OED2REF |
| TE-SEM-2 | Winter Alpine Environments | OED2WAE |
Third year
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Education in the Outdoors | OED3EO |
| TE-SEM-1 | Field Experience D | OED3FED |
| TE-SEM-1 | Teaching Environment Elective 1 | |
| TE-SEM-1 | Elective 2 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Teaching and Program Development | OED3TPD |
| TE-SEM-2 | Field Experience E | OED3FEE |
| TE-SEM-2 | Teaching Environment Elective 2 | |
| TE-SEM-2 | Elective 3 |
Teaching Environment Electives:
| Teaching period | Subject name | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| TE-SEM-1 | Teaching in Bush Environments | OED3TBE |
| TE-SEM-1 | Teaching in Rock Environments | OED3TR |
| TE-SEM-1 | Teaching in River Environments (Flat Water) | OED3TRE |
| TE-SEM-2 | Teaching in River Environments (White Water) | OED3TRM |
| TE-SEM-2 | Teaching in Winter Alpine Environments | OED3TWA |