Back to Find Courses page

Graduate Diploma of 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

Early childhood education is an immensely satisfying career and a precious opportunity to give children the very best start in life.

Within 10 months, our Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) will qualify you to be an early childhood teacher to work in early childhood education and care services, long day care centres, and preschools.

Our course covers key areas of early childhood education and care, theory, principles and practices that best support children's learning and development. Admission into the course is via an undergraduate degree in any discipline, including a teaching qualification. 

This course includes 60 days professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education settings. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements website, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning days 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 application of advanced knowledge and current research in relation to Early Childhood education 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 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

Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood teaching and relevant curriculum framework

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

Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings

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 in two environments - a preschool setting and an infant and toddler 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.

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.

Note: International EAP 2 students can progress to a Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) with an equivalent of IELTS 6.5

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

Career Outcomes

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) is accredited by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

This course qualifies early childhood teachers to teach in settings for children aged from birth to five-years.

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 6.5, including a minimum result of 6.5 in speaking, listening, 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.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising:
  • 8 core units (96 credit points); and
  • 2 professional experience units (0 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. 

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points).
 

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 Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
Term1,4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
Term1,5
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
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/
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.
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
Term3,5
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
TCHR2003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
Term1,3
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Enrolment information Students enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure a placement can be arranged. Students 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/
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
Summer Term
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
Term4
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Enrolment information Students enrol by the date specified by the Professional Experience Team to ensure a placement can be arranged. Students 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/
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 involves a professional experience placement.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
TCHR5001 Play and Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
TCHR3001 Early Childhood Matters
TCHR2003 Curriculum Studies in Early Childhood
TCHR5003 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
TCHR3004 Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood
TCHR5009 Theory to practice: Education and Care for Infants and Toddlers
TCHR6008 Professional Experience: Early Childhood I Note 1
TCHR6011 Professional Experience: Early Childhood II Note 1
TCHR5010 Theory to Practice: Competency and Capability of Preschoolers