Secondary specialist areas, prerequisites and units

The following information is based on Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) requirements and is for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Honours) specialising in Secondary Education or Primary & Secondary Education to help with your unit selection. You should use this information together with your course map to ensure you enrol correctly.

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Students in a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Secondary Education

Students in the Secondary Education specialisation must qualify for two separate specialist areas, or one double specialist area. At least a major study in one secondary teaching area is required with the minimum of a VIT minor study (4 units, with no more than 2 at 1st year level) for your second teaching area. The teaching areas you can choose are dictated by your ‘other’ degree component in your double degree.

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Students in a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary and Secondary Education

Students in the Primary and Secondary Education specialisation must qualify for one secondary specialist area with at least a VIT major study (6 units, with no more than 2 at 1st year level, and no less than 2 at 3rd year level).

The Secondary specialist areas available by course (pdf) shows you which secondary teaching areas you can choose from. Once you have chosen your area/s, you can then use the table below to find the relevant Monash areas of study you can choose to qualify for those specialist areas. Please be aware that some Monash areas of study have VCE subject prerequisite requirements.

If you require assistance with choosing your units, or would like us to check the units you have chosen to ensure you are following your course progression plan, contact your Education Success Adviser (ESA).

Minimum academic requirement Relevant areas of study
** One area of study must be a major **
Accounting (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in accounting
Biology (Science)
At least a minor sequence in biological sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, microbiology, botany, zoology, but not biochemistry or pharmacology)
Business Management (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in business management
Chemistry (Science)
At least a minor sequence in chemistry or biochemistry
Digital Technologies
At least a minor sequence in computer studies or information technology Students should seek course advice if they want to study a different area within Information Technology. 
Drama, Movement and Theatre Studies
At least a minor sequence in Drama, Movement and Theatre Studies
(Theatre and Performance).

Students who commenced the area of study in 2020 or earlier can continue to a major sequence, those who commenced in 2021 can only continue to a minor sequence.

Economics (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in economics

Students intending to study economics are required to have completed Units 3 & 4 of either VCE  Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent).

English
At least a minor sequence in Literary Studies
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
At least a minor sequence in linguistics or a second language (i.e. not the teacher's first language)
General science (Science)
At least a minor sequence in one of biology, chemistry, Earth science/geology and Environmental Science Refer to the Faculty of Science Areas of Study for detailed information on the various subject areas.

Students should seek course advice if they want to choose General Science as their specialist area, as a VIT major may be required depending on the course.

Geography (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in geography
Health and Human Development
At least a minor sequence in health studies covering Health, Human Development, Family and Nutrition

Students enrolled in Health and Physical Education courses should seek Methods advice from their Education Success Adviser (ESA).

Health and Physical Education
A major sequence in physical education and health including appropriate discipline and skill areas. Only available to students enrolled in the Health and Physical Education courses. 
History (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in history
Languages Other than English (LOTE), (Single specialisation)
A major study in a Language
Legal Studies (Humanities)
At least a minor sequence in Legal Studies Students must have completed Year 12 Mathematics to study Business Law.
Mathematics
At least a minor sequence in mathematics. Students intending to complete only a minor sequence in Maths, or those enrolled in the Primary and Secondary Education courses, must be eligible to start their Mathematics sequence from MTH1020. This requires prior completion of VCE Mathematical Methods units 3 & 4 (or equivalent) with a raw score of at least 25.
Media Studies
At least a minor sequence in media studies, film or journalism
Music (Single and Double discipline)
A major sequence in music and appropriate practical skills (equivalent to AMEB Grade VI or Year 12 Practical Music) Students enrolled in a Double degree with the Bachelor of Music should refer to their course map for unit advice.

For students not enrolled in a Bachelor of Music, you can take music as a theory sequence only, provided you already have practical music experience equivalent to AMEB Grade VI or Year 12 Practical Music.

Physics (Science)
At least a minor sequence in physics Only available to students in a double degree with the Bachelor of Science. Students completing a Physics sequence must choose Mathematics as their second specialist area as there are corequisite unit rules.
Psychology (Science)
At least a minor sequence in psychology or behavioural studies
Social Education (Humanities)
At least a minor study in humanities Refer to the Faculty of Arts Areas of Study for detailed information on the various subject areas.

Students should seek course advice if they want to choose Social Education as their specialist area, as a VIT major may be required depending on the course.

Visual Arts (Single and Double discipline)
A major sequence in a relevant area of Art which includes at least one quarter of a year of practical Art content. (e.g. Art, Craft, Computer-generated Art, Sculpture, Photography)

Only available to students enrolled in a double degree with the Bachelor of Fine Art. Refer to relevant course map for unit advice.