Graduate Certificate of Education (Early Childhood Studies)

Graduate Certificate

Designed to meet the needs of practising primary teachers who wish to have a recognised qualification, as well as the skills and pedagogical understandings to teach in early childhood settings (Birth to Pre-Primary).

Key details

Degree Type

Graduate Certificate

Duration

1 year part-time

Course Code

S74

Domestic Fees

$2,250 per year

About this course

Designed to meet the needs of practising primary teachers who wish to have a recognised qualification, as well as the skills and pedagogical understandings to teach in early childhood settings (Birth to Pre-Primary).

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate Award.

Entry requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

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 have a three-year or four-year primary teaching qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies), Bachelor of Education (Primary), or a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), with equivalents considered.

Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.
Students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.0 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components.

Note:
- If secondary education and degree studies were completed in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, applicants do not need to provide proof of English competency.
- Applicants who have completed their secondary education in South Africa in English and have an undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University are deemed to have met English language requirements for entry to the Master of Teaching.

Study locations

Mount Lawley

What you will learn

Apply high order analytical, problem solving and integrative thinking skills with a high level of personal autonomy when applying early childhood knowledge and skills in undertaking research, engaging in policy development, articulating a personal philosophy and improving teaching practice.
Critically reflect using accredited standards, mentor feedback and the ECA Code of Ethics to demonstrate professional decision making and accountability in order to plan for continued collaborative and autonomous professional learning and development.
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the ethical, legislative, regulatory and policy requirements that guide high quality provision, leadership, advocacy and review of effective practices across a range of early childhood settings.
Demonstrate detailed specialised knowledge and understanding of early childhood development, pedagogy, learning frameworks, content and practices that enable the construction of effective early childhood curriculum for differentiated and engaged learning and teaching for all young children.
Ethically utilise a range of communication skills and technologies effectively in designing, evaluating and implementing innovative early childhood programs, reporting children's learning and engaging children, families and communities.
Work collaboratively and build positive sustainable relationships with children, colleagues, families and community stakeholders to broaden cultural competence and professional knowledge and practice.

Career pathways

This course will increase the employment opportunities for graduates by providing them with a recognised early childhood qualification that they can use towards employment in the school sector in Kindergarten and Pre-Primary as well as opportunities to work as pedagogical leader, teacher, or director within early learning centres.

Possible future job titles

Kindergarten Teacher, Pre-primary Teacher, Early Childhood Teacher, Pre-school Teacher

Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.

Master of Education (Accelerated Online)
Master of Education (Advanced)
Master of Education
Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Teacher Education courses at Edith Cowan University (ECU).

81%

Overall satisfaction

67%

Skill scale

70%

Teaching scale

70.5%

Employed full-time

$75.5k

Average salary

Data source