Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies)

This course creates quality graduates ready to take up employment in education learning environments.

Possible future job titles: Kindergarten, Pre-Primary or Junior Primary Teacher, Child Care Professional, Pedagogical Leader, Centre Director

Professional recognition

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA). Registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) is required to practice in the profession. This course is accredited by the TRBWA.

Graduates must meet the Teacher Registration Board of WA (TRBWA) literacy and numeracy proficiency requirements prior to graduation for teacher registration in Western Australia. Further information is available at http://www.trb.wa.gov.au

Higher education

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to satisfy non-academic criteria, in addition to satisfying academic entry criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. Academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV;
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment.

For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Secondary education

Alternatively, applicants can apply with the indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published.

Work and Life

Alternatively, applicants can apply via Experience Based Entry Scheme, subject to eligibility.

English Proficiency Requirements

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any 

of the following:

• Results of Year 12 English ATAR or English Literature ATAR 

with a grade C or better or equivalent.

• Results of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test to ECU’s 

standards.

• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no 

individual band less than 6.0).

• Completion of 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher 

in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada.

• Completion of an ECU University Preparation Course, 

Indigenous University Orientation Course, or Aboriginal University 

Readiness Assessment.

• Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate 

Degree as described by the Australia Qualifications Framework.

• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or 

higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or

• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted 

by ECU

Practicum placement

Practicum

In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory Professional Experience and in the final year, students undertake an Assistant Teacher Program (ATP) comprising of one term of approximately 10 weeks of continuous teaching practice. The Assistant Teacher Program is conducted during the final year of the course in the second term of the school year.

Attendance requirements

Generally host Schools and Centres require that the pre-service teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

Internship option

The internship equips Pre-Service Teachers with the mastery and knowledge to lead their own classrooms. Pre-Service Teachers are placed in either classrooms or early learning settings where they will fulfil a diversity of roles, tasks and duties to provide a well-rounded experience of working as a teacher. Students will be required to attend the school or early learning setting for 4 days per week (8 hours each day) during term 3.

Attendance requirements

Generally host Schools and Centres require that the Pre-Service Teachers attend the placement on a full time basis and otherwise meet their specific attendance requirements of the particular placement. There is limited scope for ECU to negotiate any deviations from these requirements.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options: 

• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE. 

• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)

This nationally accredited course is designed to graduate early childhood educators who are competent teachers ready to work in schools and a range of early childhood settings.

A key feature of this course is connecting theory with practice. Graduates will have the knowledge and be able to develop early childhood educational programs for children from birth to 8 years of age.

Partnerships with over 1,000 schools and early childhood settings allow pre-service teachers to gain experience in diverse settings, including public, private, metropolitan, regional and remote contexts working with children, families and communities.

In addition, a distinguishing feature of this course is that pre-service teachers have the opportunity in the fourth year of their course to specialise and broaden their knowledge and skills in an area of interest. Units are also available in the degree that enables pre-service teachers to complete accreditation requirements to teach in Catholic schools.

Final year Pre-Service Teachers can apply for a place in the internship program in either a school or early learning setting.

Recommended Study Pattern

This course has a Semester 1 intake only, commencing in February.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Drama Arts in Early Childhood Education
• Becoming an Early Childhood Educator
• Learning and Learners
• Communication Skills for Teaching and Learning

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award Requirements

Students are required to complete 480 credit points which consists of 24 core units and a supplementary program.

Choose your subjects

Electives

The supplementary program options are: - an Internship plus one (1) unit from any of the listed specialisations; or - a School-based program plus one (1) unit from any of the listed specialisations; or - ECS4330 and ECS4261 plus a listed specialisation; or - ECS4330 and ECS4261 plus any 3 units from any of the specialisations (note - If students select this option no specialisation will be recorded on the academic transcript). Early Childhood Specialisations are: - Arts - Catholic Studies - Creativity in Early Childhood - Diversity in Early Childhood - Special Education