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.

Key details

Degree Type

Graduate Diploma

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Course Code

1107425, 102984F

Study Mode

In person, Online

Intake Months

Mar, Jul

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.

Study locations

Gold Coast

Online

What you will learn

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in Early Childhood educational based practice
Demonstrate application of advanced knowledge and current research in relation to Early Childhood education practice
Demonstrate cognitive, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories
Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an Early Childhood professional working in a learning community with all stakeholders
Demonstrate an awareness of the need for student safety and support within professional frameworks
Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession
Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of Early Childhood teaching and relevant curriculum framework
Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective Early Childhood educational practice
Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice
Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret evidence based research which inform professional decision making
Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings
Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts
Identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement and behaviour including diverse groups of learners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, migrants and students from non- English speaking backgrounds
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inclusion and diverse learning needs
Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self

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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Teacher Education courses at Southern Cross University (SCU).

90.4%

Overall satisfaction

81.7%

Skill scale

76.5%

Teaching scale

83.3%

Employed full-time

$99.1k

Average salary

Data source