Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood)

Career opportunities arising from this course include:

• Early childhood teacher in preschool and long day care (child care) settings
• Family day care educator
• Early childhood services.

Professional recognition

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 from 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.

Higher education

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.
   1. completed a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher at this University or another higher education provider; or
   2. equivalent professional experience as determined by the relevant Associate Dean (Education).
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;
   2. or 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.

English Proficiency 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:

• Overall Score: 6.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5
• Listening: 6.5
• Speaking: 6.5

Special requirements

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

Practicum placement

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.

Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing. More information can found at Credit for Recognition of Prior Learning - Southern Cross University (scu.edu.au).

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

In just one year, our Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) will allow you to become a fully qualified early childhood teacher in a preschool, or an educator within the family day care or traditional day care system.

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 three-year teaching qualification.

This course includes professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education settings, schools, and community sites. 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.

Recommended Study Pattern

TBC

Award Requirements

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).

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 Points

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