Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) have the opportunity to participate in two overseas cultural experiences. A semester-length exchange program is available with Lock Haven University in the USA which has a large teacher education program and provides exchange students with the opportunity to undertake units which are then credited to their Australian degree.

Students are also able to undertake five weeks practice teaching in Wuxi, China, accompanied and supervised by academic staff from UNE.

Intensive mandatory schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

The professional experience or practicum is a pivotal part of any pre-service teacher education program. Experienced teachers within schools are selected to function as school-based educators of student teachers in supervising the practicum. Students are supported in not only developing essential teaching competencies, but also in thoughtfully combining those practical experiences with theoretical frameworks developed within academic units.

Prohibited Employment Declaration and Probity Checks: In response to the New South Wales Department of Education and Training's requirement to meet legal obligations in respect to the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 and the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998, the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies has guidelines regarding students undertaking field experience. All students are required to declare whether they are a prohibited person by completing a Prohibited Employment Declaration prior to their professional experience placement.

In addition, the New South Wales Department of Education and Training has introduced probity (criminal record) checks for all student teachers participating in unsupervised situations with school students. Education Queensland and ACT Department of Education require probity checks for all students undertaking any school experience in Queensland or ACT. Probity checks may be carried out prior to students undertaking any school experience. Candidates should be aware that they will be subject to probity checks on behalf of potential employers after completing the course and prior to receiving clearance to function as an independent classroom teacher.

The course includes 60 days of supervised professional experience. This may range from placements of a few days through to a block placement of up to four weeks. In the fourth year of the course students will undertake a 10-week internship where they will assume the responsibility of an associate teacher.

These requirements are subject to change. Current information and further information (including requirements for other states) can be obtained at: http://www.une.edu.au/education/profexp/letter-to-students.php