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Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)

Graduate Diploma

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students may be required to attend on-campus workshops during some of the units.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    GradDipEd(EC)

  • Course code

    1107425

  • Credit points

    96

  • Equivalent units

    8

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) is designed for those who want to be an accredited four-year trained early childhood teacher, or who want to upgrade from a three-year teaching qualification. 

This one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course provides graduates with an early childhood teaching qualification to work with children from birth to five years. Admission into the course is via an undergraduate degree in any discipline, including a three-year teaching qualification. 

The course covers key areas of early childhood education and care from theory, and principles to practices that best support children's learning and development. The course includes professional experience in pre-school and infant and toddler settings. Working in the early childhood educational field is rewarding and fulfilling. 

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in early childhood educational based practice

Demonstrate application of advanced knowledge and current research in relation to Early Childhood education practice

Creativity

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

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

Demonstrate an awareness of the need for student safety and support within professional frameworks

Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of early childhood teaching and relevant curriculum framework

Demonstrate a evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective early childhood educational practice

Lifelong learning

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

Communication and social skills

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

Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings

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

Identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement and behaviour including diverse groups of learners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, migrants and students from non- English speaking backgrounds

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inclusion and diverse learning needs

Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self

Students undertake 60 days of professional placement during this course covering two settings: preschool setting and an infant and toddler setting.

The major areas of study include theories of learning and development, principles and practices of early childhood education and care, key issues in the early childhood education and care field including social justice, diversity and equity, working with families, investigating different early childhood educational models around the world and applying knowledge, skills and capabilities in professional experience.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Session 1, Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The University has accreditation for this course from the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Please note, this course qualifies early childhood teachers to teach in birth to five-year-old settings. These settings are known differently throughout Australia, some as preschools and others as kindergarten. The course does not qualify graduates to teach in primary school settings. 

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

  1. Applications for admission to candidature in the Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) may be selected where they can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board or Course Coordinator to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2, Section 3.
  2. To meet the minimum English language requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
    1. have completed senior secondary study equivalent of Australian Year 12 or have completed at least one year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time study) at AQF diploma equivalent or higher where:
      1. the country where those studies were undertaken is listed in Schedule A of the Rules Relating to Awards - Rule 2, and
      2. the language of instruction was English; or
    2. achieved a minimum test score within two (2) years of the date of application for admission, equal to or above the minimum listed below:
      1. International English Language Test System (IELTS). The applicant must have a minimum overall score of 7.5, including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing; or
      2. International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR). The applicant must have a score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Credit for prior learning

  1. Candidates may only be granted advanced standing for one (1) Early Childhood Professional Experience unit.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) all listed in the Schedule of Units.
  2. Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of School.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access 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 Level of learning Notes
TCH81002 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education Introductory
TCH10518 Early Childhood Matters Advanced
TCH20003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood Intermediate
TCH81001 Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education I: Pre-schoolers Introductory
TCH82002 Principles and Practice in Early Childhood Education Intermediate
TCH20002 Children, Families and Communities Intermediate
TCH10519 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Advanced
TCH82001 Professional Experience in Early Childhood Education II: Infants and Toddlers Intermediate