Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)

CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) is an initial teacher education course usually studied over a period of four years. This course qualifies you for professional registration which is administered in Queensland by the Queensland College of Teachers. You will demonstrate evidence of meeting the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage) throughout the course of your study. On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible for employment in primary schools from Prep to Year 6 and in early childhood settings (long day care settings & kindergartens/pre-prep) throughout Australia.

In addition to building the professional knowledge and skills required to teach effectively, the course is designed to foster dispositions for engaging in and contributing to the teaching profession through a commitment to ongoing professional learning.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) includes 125 days of planned teaching practice in schools and other learning sites and an optional additional 20 days diploma practicum — 15 of which must be spent with children in the birth to 35 months group. You MUST complete a 15-day placement with children in the birth to 35 months group. This 15-day placement fulfils the requirements of the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), which stipulates that students must complete a minimum of 15 days with children in the birth to 35 months group. Professional practice blocks are included in each year of the course structure, and many opportunities for applying theoretical knowledge in practical ways have been embedded in each of the 32 units that make up the course.

A key feature of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) is the embedded VET qualification: The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. On successful completion of the 9 first-year units and the required diploma practicum and associated tasks, you will receive the Diploma as an interim award. The structure of the course also allows for the recognition of prior learning. Applicants who already hold a recent Diploma qualification may be eligible for up to 6 units.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) also includes a specialisation in English providing you with knowledge and skills in this specialisation area. Students located in the Rockhampton Diocese, if selected to be part of the program, can undertake a specialisation in Catholic Education allowing you to be accredited to teach in a Catholic School.

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) you can progress to postgraduate study courses that are available for registered teachers through CQUniversity.

To be eligible for teacher registration, students in this course are required to undertake and pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (ITE) prior to graduation. This test, referred to as LANTITE, is administered Nationally by the Australian Council of Education Research (ACER).

YOUR CHOICES
Our teaching courses are initial teacher education course and qualify you for professional registration by the Queensland College of Teachers.

Choose from:

• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
• Bachelor of Education (Primary)
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary)

REAL-WORLD OPPORTUNITIES
You will have the opportunity to complete professional practice blocks where you will gain practical and relevant experience. These blocks are scheduled in each year of your course giving you opportunities to continually apply the skills and knowledge you gain from your studies to authentic teaching scenarios.

Each of our Bachelor of Education courses include 125 days of planned teaching practice in schools broken into five professional practice blocks and culminating in a teaching internship.

As part of the professional practice for the early childhood course, you will complete a 15-day placement with children in the birth to 35 months group to fulfil Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority requirements.

YOUR E-PORTFOLIO 

Throughout your studies, you will have opportunities to develop an e-portfolio. Your e-portfolio is a valuable career planning and preparation tool that you can use to showcase to future employers your abilities and demonstrate the experience, skills and knowledge you have gained through your studies.

Your professional practice blocks and the authentic assessments that you complete throughout your studies provide you with opportunities to build and develop your e-portfolio and enhance your career outcomes.

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and

General Mathematics, Mathematics Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; and

General Science subject (Units 3 & 4, C) or Psychology (Units 3 & 4, C)

Non-Academic Requirements

Non-academic capabilities of all initial teacher education applicants will be assessed based on the submission of a personal statement that addresses the key attributes and motivations to become an effective teacher, as outline by AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership).

Applicants may consider the prompts mentioned below in each question to frame their response.

• Tell us what has inspired you to become a teacher and tell us why you think teaching is a good career choice for you.

(In your response, describe who and what has inspired you to become a teacher and describe the types of skills and abilities you will bring to teaching.)

• Describe one or two leadership, community and/or learning and development activities that you have engaged in.

(In your response describe how these leadership, community and/or learning and development activities demonstrate your conscientiousness and coping strategies when you are faced with challenges.)

• Describe how you manage your time when you are both planning and coordinating activities in your personal schedule.

(In your response provide examples of how you have put both your planning and coordinating skills to use.)

• Tell us about one or two times where you have utilised your problem-solving skills to achieve an outcome.

(In your response explain what you learned, regardless of whether the outcome you achieved was positive or undesirable.)

Please note, personal statement requirements may differ depending on application method.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

• A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
• Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 1 year fulltime with a minimum GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) test with an overall band score of at least 7.5 with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 8.0 for Speaking and Listening.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

Each student will be assessed individually.

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers. This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) you will be qualified to teach in primary school settings from Prep to Year 6 and in specialist early childhood contexts, including childcare and kindergartens throughout Australia.

Like most professions, teaching has specific workforce demands and sometimes oversupply. Before undertaking a course of study, you should check with major employers regarding potential future employment prospects.

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

• Select your course
• Check entry requirements.
• Check your eligibility for credit.
• Apply online
• Obtain certified documents.
• Submit your application and documents.