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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

GA1: Intellectual rigour

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

GA2: Creativity

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

GA3: Ethical practice

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

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

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

GA5: Lifelong learning

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

GA6: Communication and social skills

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

GA7: Cultural competence

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 pathway 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.

In addition to studying core units, students will choose to undertake the Professional Experience pathway or the Elective pathway.

The Professional Experience pathway includes a 30 day professional experience placement in an approved early childhood setting completed together with the relevant Theory to Practice unit.

The Elective pathway allows students to choose one elective unit of study from a range of early childhood unit options.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 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.

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.5
Listeningminimum 6.0
Speakingminimum 6.0
Readingminimum 6.0
Writingminimum 6.0

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. 


Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

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


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) 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