Students learn to immerse children in play and inquiry-based learning, literacy, numeracy and science education, and gain qualifications to teach in early childhood education settings such as long day care centres, kindergartens and primary schools.
Students focus on early childhood teaching practices for planning play and learning experiences for children aged from birth to eight years, and undertake Supervised Professional and Wider Field Experience in long day care, kindergarten and primary school contexts. Students also develop skills in leadership and administration and an understanding of policy in educational settings.
- 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 2025 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.
Students focus on early childhood teaching practices for planning play and learning experiences for children aged from birth to eight years, and undertake Supervised Professional and Wider Field Experience in long day care, kindergarten and primary school contexts. Students also develop skills in leadership and 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 Working with Children Check and obtain a Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PBSA) prior to commencing supervised professional experience.
Career opportunities
Early childhood teaching or leadership roles in long day care centres, kindergarten and primary school settings (from Prep to Year 3), integrated community services, government.
Membership
Early Childhood Australia.
Registration
Queensland College of Teachers.
Program structure
For students commencing Semester 1, 2014. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
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 129 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 Blue 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. 96 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.
- Only a fulltime study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Introductory required courses
9 required courses:
COR109 Introduction to Interactive Media
EDU100 Responsive Design and Wearable Technologies
EDU104 Communication and Thought
EDU107 Becoming a Teacher
EDU108 Foundation of English and Mathematics
EDU109 Science and Sustainability in Primary Schools
EDU110 The First Three Years of Life and Learning
EDU111 Professional Learning 1: A Holistic Approach to Learning
EDU112 Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
Advanced required courses
21 required courses:
EDU201 Documenting Children's Learning
EDU203 Professional Learning 2: Early Learning Experiences
EDU206 Language and Literacies in Education
EDU207 Play and Inquiry Based Learning
EDU208 Sustainable Communities for Children and Families
EDU305 Guiding and Supporting Children
EDU309 Professional Learning 3: Building on Early Learning
EDU316 Human Development and Early Learning
EDU331 Teaching Science in Primary Schools
EDU332 Teaching History and Geography in Primary School
EDU333 Transition to School: Early Learning Environments and Curriculum
EDU334 Investigating the World Around Us
EDU335 Teaching HPE in the Early Years
EDU336 Policy and Practice in Early Education
EDU340 Self Expression and Communicating Through the Arts
EDU341 Professional Learning 4: Continuity of Early Learning Experience
EDU343 Teaching Reading and Writing
EDU344 Teaching Mathematics
EDU407 The Diverse Learner across Early Years Contexts
EDU408 Leading in Early Childhood Contexts
EDU409 Assessing and Reporting: Monitoring Learning and Making Judgements
Elective courses
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). It is strongly recommended that students select electives that develop a specific curriculum area.
Requirements for placements
As required by the Queensland Family and Child Commission Act (2014), preservice teachers must undergo a Working with Children Check and be issued with a Blue Card by the Public Safety Business Agency to allow them to undertake supervised professional 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 commencing supervised professional experience.
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 Learning office (Level 1, H 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 Public Safety Business Agency website for information on Blue Cards and how to apply.