Mayor launches new sports degree

In an Australian first, USQ has launched a sports-focused Education degree which can be completed fully online.

Fraser Coast Mayor, Mick Kruger, lit a symbolic ‘flame’ in the Sydney 2000 Olympics cauldron to mark the launch of the new Bachelor of Education (Sport, Health and Physical Education) program at USQ’s Fraser Coast campus.

Highly regarded physical educator and program coordinator, Associate Professor Ken Edwards, said the program opened up a great opportunity for students everywhere.

'Students can study on-campus at Fraser Coast, Springfield or Toowoomba or study externally from anywhere in Australia or overseas,' Associate Professor Edwards said.

'We will use the latest technology to give online students the same high level of lecturer interaction that makes USQ the university of choice for students undertaking education degrees.

'Webstreaming of lectures, virtual classrooms, video and YouTube clips along with interactive discussion forums will enable online students to have the full classroom and tutorial experience that on-campus students receive, without ever setting foot on a campus.'

Students will develop practical skills through involvement in coaching and similar accreditation courses that value-add to teaching degrees.

USQ Fraser Coast education student Lyall McDonald said he was keen to do some of the new courses to complement his studies in primary education.

'PE teachers look like fun people,' he said. 'I am really interested in health and physical education and now I’ll be able to do some of the courses in the specialisation.'