Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)

Graduate Diploma

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...

Key details

Degree Type

Graduate Diploma

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Course Code

1107425, 102984F

Study Mode

Online, In person

International Fees

$26,800 per year / $26,800 total

About this course

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.

Students also undertake 60 days of professional placement in early childhood settings.

The block professional teaching experiences, combined with volunteer activities and embedded site visits will provide you with a deep understanding about the role of a teacher. As you will be interacting with children and young people, upon enrolment you will be expected to apply and attain a valid Working with Children Check for your state or territory. See professional experience requirements.

Entry requirements

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.
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; or
2. 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.

Study locations

Gold Coast

Online

What you will learn

The major areas of study include theories of learning and development, principles and practices of early childhood education and care, key issues in the early childhood education and care field including social justice, diversity and equity, working with families, investigating different early childhood educational models around the world and applying knowledge, skills and capabilities in professional experience.

Career pathways

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.

Course structure

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) a candidate shall successfully complete:
1. Not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising all units listed in the Schedule of Units attached to this award.
Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of School.

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.

Southern Cross University (SCU)