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; or*
• * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
• 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

International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

Applicants who have completed secondary education, bachelor degree or master degree studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA are not required to provide an IELTS Academic test. Minimum English standard requirements may be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal Student Intake Test;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

Note:

Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English, or have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have satisfied English language requirements.

Applicants from the Seychelles:

Successful completion of the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) grade C or above, PLUS a completed 4 year National Diploma.

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.

If you have completed units of study at University, undertaken a Diploma qualification or higher, or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal. 

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.

Award Requirements

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

Choose your subjects

Electives

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