Back to Find Courses page

Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood)

Graduate Certificate

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    GradCertEd(EC)

  • Course code

    1008500

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    4

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

This course is ideal for Bachelor graduates from any discipline looking to enter early childhood education, those seeking to change careers and are considering early childhood education, or for those wishing to engage in professional development in early childhood education.
 
Our cutting-edge course draws on the Faculty of Education’s leading research in early childhood education and development. 

Delivered fully online in flexible mode, the course is the first step on a pathway to becoming a fully qualified early childhood teacher. Successful completion of this certificate provides guaranteed entry and up to four units of advanced standing into the ACECQA approved Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood).

Students choosing the professional placement elective will complete professional experience learning in an early childcare setting. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Course Learning Outcome

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in Early Childhood educational based practice

Demonstrate cognitive, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories

Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an Early Childhood professional working in a learning community with all stakeholders

Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective Early Childhood educational practice

Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice

Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret evidence based research which inform professional decision making

Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts

Students who choose to complete Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers will undertake professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

The course comprises three core units:
  • Principles and Practice in Early Childhood Education
  • Children, Families and Communities
  • Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
and a choice of one of the following units:
  • Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers
  • Strengthening Young People's Social and Emotional Wellbeing.

 

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1, Term 3 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

A three (3) year bachelor qualification or equivalent work experience.

Course requirements

1. To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising:

  • 3 core units (36 credit points); and
  • Electives equivalent to 12 credit points.

2. Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies. 

 

 

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

Core Unit
Core Unit
Core Unit
Elective
OR
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
Term2
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Co-requisites TCHR6008 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood I
Anti-requisites TCHR6004 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education I: Pre-schoolers
Enrolment information Students must enrol prior to Week 1. This unit provides intensive workshops which begin on day 1 of teaching and assessment aligned with the Early Childhood Placement. Students MUST enrol in TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I, concurrently, with this unit.
AND
TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I
Term2
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
Term2
Co-requisites TCHR5010 - Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
Anti-requisites TCHR6004 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education I: Pre-schoolers
Enrolment information Students enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure a placement can be arranged. Students are to provide evidence of compliance for all placement requirements prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at: www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/
OR
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
Term5
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Online
Term5
Term5
Co-requisites TCHR6011 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood II
Anti-requisites TCHR6001 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers
Enrolment information Students MUST enrol prior to Week 1. This unit provides intensive workshops which begin on day 1 of teaching and assessment aligned with the Early Childhood Placement. Students MUST enrol in TCHR6011 - Professional Experience: Early Childhood II with this unit.
TCHR6011 Professional Experience: Early Childhood II
Term5
Note 1
Location Domestic International
Online
Term5
Term5
Co-requisites TCHR5009 - Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
Anti-requisites TCHR6001 - Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers
Enrolment information Students enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure a placement can be arranged. Students are to provide evidence of compliance for all placement requirements prior to attending professional placement. Full details are available at: www.scu.edu.au/education/education-profession/professional-experience/

Note 1:

This unit includes a 30 day professional experience placement in an approved early childhood setting and must be completed together with the relevant Theory to Practice unit. Students will undertake 240 hours of supervised placement (30 days over 6 weeks).

Note 2:

This unit is NOT offered in the Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
Select three (3) units from the following:
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood

Electives
Students who select a Professional Experience unit must complete two (2) electives.
Select one (1) elective unit from the following:
EDUC3024 Education and the Environment: More than Human Note 2
TCHR6007 Creative Arts for Early Childhood Education Note 2
TCHR6006 Health, Wellbeing and the Environment in Early Childhood Education Note 2
OR
Select two (2) units from the following:
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers
TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I Note 1
OR
Select two (2) units from the following:
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
TCHR6011 Professional Experience: Early Childhood II Note 1