Bachelor of Early Childhood Education | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Learn to immerse children in play and inquiry-based learning, literacy, numeracy and science education.

Gain qualifications to teach in early childhood education settings such as long day care centres, kindergartens and primary school. Focus on early childhood teaching practices for planning play and learning experiences for children aged from birth to eight years. Engage in supervised professional and wider field experience in long day care, kindergarten and primary school contexts. Develop skills in leadership, administration and an understanding of policy in educational settings.

CRICOS code
077419C
Commence
Semester 1 only
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2023 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 017401
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 15 Rank - 68
UniSC program code
ED303
Commence
Semester 1 only
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Prerequisites
English (4,SA)
Recommended prior study
Maths A or B; Science and History
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. Refer to English language requirements.
Fee type 2013
  • Commonwealth supported places
  • Fee paying places
  • International fee-paying places
Total units
384

Gain qualifications to teach in early childhood education settings such as long day care centres, kindergartens and primary school. Focus on early childhood teaching practices for planning play and learning experiences for children aged from birth to eight years. Engage in supervised professional and wider field experience in long day care, kindergarten and primary school contexts. Develop skills in leadership, administration and an understanding of policy in educational settings.

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete 129 days of supervised professional experience and 20 hours of wider field experience. Students must undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) before the first professional learning experience.

Career opportunities

Early childhood teaching or leadership roles in long day care centres, kindergarten and primary school settings, integrated community services, government.

Membership

Early Childhood Australia.

Registration

Queensland College of Teachers. Registration is a requirement to teach in Queensland schools.

Program structure

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:

COR109 Global Communication
COR111 Communication Research

Introductory required courses

8 required courses:

EDU100 Introduction to Contemporary Global Media and Communication
EDU104 Communication Campaign Planning
EDU107 Writing for Strategic Communication
EDU108 Communication Research
EDU109 Accounting for Business
EDU110 Business Law
EDU111 Strategic Management
EDU112 Introduction to Systems Design

Advanced required courses

21 required courses: 

EDU201 Database Design
EDU203 Network Management and Security
EDU206 Database Programming
EDU207 Architecture and Systems Integration
EDU208 Software Defined Networking
EDU305 Responsive Design and Wearable Technologies
EDU309 Digital Fabrication
EDU316 Embedded System Design
EDU331 Introduction to Contemporary Global Media and Communication
EDU332 Podcasting and Radio News
EDU333 Social Media Communication
EDU334 Communication Campaign Planning
EDU335 Concepts of Epidemiology
EDU336 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
EDU340 Health Promotion Principles
EDU341 Health Promotion Settings and Advocacy
EDU343 Social Media: Monitoring and Measurement
EDU344 Public Health Practicum
EDU407 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
EDU408 Introduction to International Relations: An Australian Perspective
EDU409 Global Environmental Politics

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.

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Total units: 384