Program Overview

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)

Overview

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) is a five-year part-time course that prepares students to work with children from birth to eight years. The course focuses on developing expertise in child psychology, literacy, numeracy, technology, and the humanities. Students will gain practical experience through 120 days of workplace learning and develop skills in teaching, curriculum design, and child development.

Unique Opportunities

• Study and work in rural and remote communities, capital cities, and overseas
• 120 days of placement to develop skills in the classroom
• 5 Stars for student teacher ratio (2025 Good Universities Guide)

Fast Facts

• Location: JCU campuses or study centers (online)
• Commencing: January, March, July, September (online)
• Fees: $4,627.00+ (estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee)
• Duration: 5 years part-time
• Entry Requirements: ATAR 65, English, General Maths or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths (Units 3/4, C); or equivalent

Course Detail

What to Expect

• Develop expertise in child psychology and education
• Gain practical experience through 120 days of workplace learning
• Develop skills in teaching, curriculum design, and child development
• Study online (external) or on-campus

Career Opportunities

• Work in education in schools, preschools, kindergartens, and childcare centers
• Pursue careers in education in rural and remote areas
• Work with children from birth to eight years

Admission Requirements

• Course pre-requisites: English (Units 3/4, C), General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3/4, C); or equivalent
• Minimum English language proficiency requirements: Overall score of 6.5 in Academic IELTS (or equivalent) with sub-scores no less than 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and no less than 6.0 in Reading and Writing
• Post admission requirements: Professional practice, Suitability to Work with Children Card (blue card)

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

• Credit points: 96 credit points as per course structure
• Additional completion requirements: Successful completion of Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE), Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA)
• Course learning outcomes: Demonstrate a broad understanding of professional knowledge and practices, critically evaluate and apply educational and developmental theories, integrate curricula, pedagogical and technological knowledge and skills

Inherent Requirements

• Inherent requirements: Abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviors that must be demonstrated to successfully complete the course
• Reasonable adjustments: All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course

Course Structure

Core Subjects

• Level 1: Education Perspectives and Practice, Science and Sustainability in Education, Foundations of Language and Literacy in Education, Early Childhood Education and Care 1, Technologies for Early Childhood Education, Arts Education for Early Childhood, Educational Psychology: Learners and Learning, Teaching Mathematics and Numeracy in Primary and Early Childhood Settings
• Level 2: Health and Physical Education for Early Childhood, Early Childhood Mathematics and Numeracy 1, Approaches to Oral Language and Reading Development in the Early Years, Planning for Engaging Learning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, Humanities and Social Sciences for Early Childhood Education, Science Education for Early Childhood, Play Pedagogies for Early Learners
• Level 3: Inclusive Education: Differentiated Learning for Students with Special Needs and Abilities, English as an Additional Language/Dialect for Indigenous Learners, Technologies Across the Curriculum, Communicating and Producing Texts in Early Childhood Contexts, Early Childhood Mathematics and Numeracy 2, Reflective Teaching Cycles and Positive Learning Environments (ECE), Early Childhood Education and Care 2
• Level 4: Service Learning for Sustainable Futures, Learning and Teaching in Rural and Remote Contexts, Fourth Year Professional Experience A, Fourth Year Professional Experience B, Leading Wellbeing and Sustainability in Learning Communities, Teachers as Ethical and Collaborative Change Agents, Education across Culturally Diverse Contexts

Location

• Course available at: JCU Online

Candidature

• Expected time to complete: 5.3 years part-time
• Maximum time to complete: 11 years
• Maximum leave of absence: 3 years

Progression

• Course progression requisites: Minimum of three subjects must be taken in any 12-month period
• Course includes mandatory professional placement(s): Prescribed professional placements in Australian schools or early learning centers

Credit

• Eligibility: Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning
• Maximum allowed: 63 credit points
• Currency: Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course

Award Details

• Award title: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
• Approved abbreviation: BEd(ECE)
• Inclusion of majors on testamur: Not applicable
• Exit with lesser award: Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $4,627.00
• Scholarships: A variety of scholarships are available to suit different student types

Pathways to JCU

• JCU Prep: Provides a pathway into this course
• Certificate III, Certificate IV, or AQF Diploma qualifications: Can be used as a pathway into this course

Real-world Experience

• Sarah's story: Becoming Cairns' top teacher by letting creativity flow

Real Stories

• Tabitha McCann: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
• Kathri Thanthri Hewage Nipuni: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
• Bianca Rogers: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education)
• Dr Marcia Thorne: Education
• Jan Cooper: Principal, Annandale State School, Townsville QASSP President