• Program summary
• Program overview
• Career opportunities
• Professional recognition
• Special features 
• Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Requirements for placements
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 016601
OP/Rank for 2009: OP-18 / Rank-64
Award abbreviation: BEd/BHumServ
Degree type: combined undergraduate
Duration: 4 years full-time and pro-rata for part-time
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places
Total courses: 32
Mode of study: on campus
Commence: Semester 1 and Semester 2
Program code: AE302
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Program overview

This program is designed to lead to a career in early childhood teaching or childcare, with in-depth knowledge in the human services field.

In the human services component of the program, you will gain deep insights into the knowledge, policies and preferred practices of human services that enhance family structures, community development, and the welfare of young children growing up in contemporary and future societies.

In the education component, you will develop in-depth knowledge in learning, psychology, curriculum development and pedagogy in the early years. The construction of education, developmental learning and childcare practices will be the focus of study across the program.

You will also study four elective courses, which may include a minor, from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and might have the opportunity to undertake workplace learning via placements with local, rural or international organisations.

You will earn two degrees in a shorter amount of time than if you were to study the programs separately, and will receive two testamurs (degree certificates) on completion.

Career opportunities

Career paths may include:

• childcare
• community services, welfare and families 
• teaching in early childhood/lower primary contexts

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to be registered with the Queensland College of Teachers.  Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.  Other general and discipline-specific memberships may also be available, depending on study specialisations.

Special features

• opportunity to study two different areas, effectively doubling future career options
• earn two degrees in four years of full-time study

Program  structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Property Management
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory Education courses

2 required courses:
EDU100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
EDU101 Becoming a Teacher

Advanced Education courses

13 required courses:
EDU201 Learning about Learning
EDU210 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU220 Workplace Learning: Professional Practice
EDU221 Middle Phase Curriculum: Pedagogies for New Times
EDU305 Middle Phase Curriculum 2: Assessment for Learning
EDU310 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU311 Workplace Learning: Learning Engagement
EDU312 Workplace Learning: Inclusivity and Diversity
EDU340 Workplace Learning: Professional Engagement
EDU341 Teaching Reading and Writing in the Early Years
EDU343 Teaching Mathematics
EDU344 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
Plus select 1 course from:
EDU303 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
EDU304 Learning for Sustainability in Schools
EDU351 Internship
EDU371 Alternative Schooling Pedagogies

Introductory Human Services courses

5 required courses:
PSY100 Contexts of Disability and Differences
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS180 Social Work and Human Services Practice

Advanced Human Services courses

6 required courses:
SCS235 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS276 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS277 Group Work
SCS278 Working With Families
SWK303 Ethics and Professional Practice
Plus one of the following:
SCS210 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
SCS290 Indigenous Australia and the State

Electives

Plus select 4 elective courses from the Faculty of Arts and Social sciences.
It is recommended that students utilise elective courses to complete either a minor (4 courses) from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, or 4 courses from the following:

SCS201 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS211 International Community Development and Global Justice
SCS273 Green Justice: Environment and Social Issues(24cp) **
SCS274 Human Services Placement 1(24cp) **
SCS285 Human Services Placement 2
SCS286 Health, Society and Culture
SCS295 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SWK302 Gender and Culture

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider

Program requirements and notes

1. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
2. Courses credited to a student's academic record through cross-institutional studies or as advanced standing may also count towards majors and minors where those courses are equivalent to courses listed in the relevant major or minor.
3. Refer to the Academic Rules.
4. Refer to explanation of terms.
5. Refer to recommended enrolment pattern. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
6. Courses for this program will be released progressively. Please contact the Faculty of Science, Health and Education for advanced standing enquiries.

7. Students enrolling in this combined program from 2008 onwards are not required to undertake the two Human Services Field Education courses (SCS273 and SCS274 ). However, if you wish to work in the Human Services industry upon graduation, it is advisable to complete the Human Services Field Education courses (SCS273 and SCS274 ) leading to accreditation with the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers. If you wish to take these courses to fulfill AIWCW accreditation requirements, you must gain approval from the Human Services Field Education Course Coordinator by the third semester of your studies.

8. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
9. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
10. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.

Requirements for placements

The Commission for Children and Young People Act (2000 and 2005) applies to all pre-service teachers who will be working with children/students under the age of 18 in Queensland settings as a component of their program of pre-service education. Blue Cards are issued by the Commission once it has carried out the Working with Children Check to see if a person is eligible. If a person is eligible, they are issued a positive notice and a Blue Card.

Education students are encouraged to apply for their Blue Card as soon as they have accepted their offer to avoid processing delays. Blue Cards are free of charge for Education students when they apply through the Professional Workplace Learning office (Level 2, I Building).

Note: Students who do not possess a current Blue Card will be unable to complete the professional experience component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Program adviser
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Program adviser, Education
Tel: +61 7 5459 4644,
Email: education@usc.edu.au

** Subject to GPA and approval by Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Program Leader

Back to top