- Become a qualified early childhood educator
- Design early learning environments and implement curriculum in context
- Provide a seamless transition from kindergarten to school and enhance continuity in learning
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Award abbreviation: BECEd
QTAC code: 017401
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-15 / Rank-68
Duration: 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time (part-time offered from 2012)
Commence: Semester 1 only
Study mode: on campus
Prerequisite: English (4,SA)
Recommended prior study: Maths A or B; Science and History
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 384
USC program code: ED303
CRICOS code: 077419C. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Gain qualifications to teach in early childhood settings in Queensland.
This program leads to a career in early childhood education in settings such as long day care centres, kindergartens and the early years of primary school. In first-year you focus on the foundations for early childhood teaching practices, with an emphasis on supervised professional and wider field experience with children aged from birth to three years. You learn to build on and integrate essential knowledge and teaching practices for each age group, including the kindergarten year. The final year focuses on the transition to the early phase of learning in primary school contexts.
You study early childhood developmental psychology and early learning theories. There is a strong focus on building family and community partnerships and promoting citizenship in the local and global community. Knowledge is enhanced by embedding Indigenous perspectives, inclusivity and diversity. You examine early years' intervention strategies, diagnostic and pedagogical approaches and authentic assessment practice. You also learn to immerse children in literacy, numeracy, science education, and play-based learning.
Additional admission requirement
This program has higher English language proficiency requirements than most other programs at this level offer by the University. Refer to the English language requirements for more information.
Post-admission requirements
You must complete 139 days of professional experience, including Wider Field Experience. You must obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before your first workplace experience— refer to Requirements for placements.
Career opportunities
Early childhood teaching in childcare, kindergarten and lower primary settings, leadership positions in early childhood education settings, integrated community services, and policy development.
Professional membership
Graduates may apply for membership with Early Childhood Australia.
Registration
Graduates may register with the Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering for program advice
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 32 courses including 30 required courses and 2 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 12 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete a minimum of 139 days of Supervised Professional Experience, with the majority completed as full-time blocks. One major Supervised Professional Experience must be completed in an Australian school.
- Complete 20 hours of Wider Field Experience.
- A Suitability Card is required, refer to Requirements for placements.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Electives may be used to increase curriculum knowledge in Key Learning Areas.
- 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.
- Graduates from the Diploma in Children’s Services will be able to enter into the second year of the program via a negotiated credit transfer pathway. Ninety-six units of credit will be awarded.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- This program is not available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Core course
Select 1 core course from:
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Introductory required courses
8 required courses:
EDU100 Becoming a Teacher
EDU104 Foundation of English and Mathematics
EDU107 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools
EDU108 The First Three Years of Life and Learning
EDU109 Professional Learning 1: A Holistic Approach to Learning
EDU110 Foundations of Learning: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
EDU111 Observing and Recording: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
EDU112 Professional Learning 2: Early Learning Experiences
Advanced required courses
21 required courses:
EDU201 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU203 Pedagogy, Play and Assessment
EDU206 Sustainable Communities for Children and Families
EDU207 Guiding Play and Inquiry-based Learning
EDU208 Professional Learning 3: Building on Early Learning
EDU305 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU309 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU316 Australian History and Geography in SOSE
EDU331 Transition to School: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
EDU332 Investigating the World Around Us
EDU333 Physical Competence, Health and Well-being
EDU334 Policy and Practice in Early Education
EDU335 Self Expression and Communicating Through the Arts
EDU336 Professional Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience
EDU340 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU341 Teaching Mathematics
EDU343 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts
EDU344 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
EDU407 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
EDU408 Workplace Learning 5: Formal and Intentional Teaching
EDU409 Workplace Learning 6: Internship: The Professional Practitioner
Elective courses
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). It is strongly recommended that student select electives that develop a specific curriculum area.
Requirements for placements
As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), preservice teachers must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Suitability Card (Blue Card) by the Commission to allow them to undertake field experience in a school or centre where children under 18 years of age are present. It is now a requirement of all Queensland sites and most Australian sites that preservice teachers have obtained the Blue Card prior to starting professional workplace learning.
To avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to apply for a Blue Card as soon as you have accepted your offer. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when you apply through USC’s Professional Workplace Learning office (Level 2, C Building). Note: If you do not possess a current Blue Card, you will be unable to complete the professional experience component of your program and you will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
Visit the Commission's website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
- One (1) core course:
Core course must be studied in Semester 1 - Seven (7) required courses
Core courses (1)
Select 1 core course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU104 Foundation of English and Mathematics | |||
| EDU108 The First Three Years of Life and Learning | |||
| EDU109 Professional Learning 1: A Holistic Approach to Learning | |||
| EDU110 Foundations of Learning: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum | |||
| EDU111 Observing and Recording: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements | |||
| EDU112 Professional Learning 2: Early Learning Experiences | |||
| EDU203 Pedagogy, Play and Assessment |
Year 2
- One (1) elective course:
Elective course must be studied in Semester 1 - Seven (7) required courses:
EDU100 and EDU305 must be studied in Semester 1
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU100 Becoming a Teacher | |||
| EDU107 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools | |||
| EDU206 Sustainable Communities for Children and Families | |||
| EDU207 Guiding Play and Inquiry-based Learning | |||
| EDU208 Professional Learning 3: Building on Early Learning | |||
| EDU305 Human Development and Early Learning | |||
| EDU343 The Diverse Learner across Early Childhood Contexts |
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 3
- One (1) elective course:
Elective course must be studied in Semester 2 - Seven (7) required courses
Required courses (7)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU201 Language and Literacies in Education | |||
| EDU331 Transition to School: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum | |||
| EDU332 Investigating the World Around Us | |||
| EDU333 Physical Competence, Health and Well-being | |||
| EDU334 Policy and Practice in Early Education | |||
| EDU335 Self Expression and Communicating Through the Arts | |||
| EDU336 Professional Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience |
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 4
- Eight (8) required courses:
EDU340 and EDU341 must be studied in Semester 1
EDU309 must be studied in Semester 2
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU309 Teaching Science in Primary Schools | |||
| EDU316 Australian History and Geography in SOSE | |||
| EDU340 Teaching Reading and Writing | |||
| EDU341 Teaching Mathematics | |||
| EDU344 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts | |||
| EDU407 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements | |||
| EDU408 Workplace Learning 5: Formal and Intentional Teaching | |||
| EDU409 Workplace Learning 6: Internship: The Professional Practitioner |