Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (Ourimbah Campus)

The early years of any child's life are crucial to their later development - emotionally, educationally and physically. To be entrusted with teaching and caring for young children is an enormous responsibility but also a great privilege. Early childhood teaching is a truly rewarding professional career where you can really make a difference.

The Bachelor of Education, with a specialisation in Early Childhood, is offered only at the Ourimbah Campus. The Bachelor of Education is a four year program that integrates discipline studies and educational studies and prepares students to teach both in primary schools (Grades K-2) and in early childhood settings for children prior to school entry.

At the Central Coast campus you'll have regular access to Yerra, the on-campus Early Childhood Studies Centre Dedicated to teaching and research. Yerra is shared by students and staff from the University and TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute early childhood programs.

The program integrates discipline studies and educational studies and prepares graduates for teaching in early childhood (nought to five years) settings as well as in primary schools, (five to eight years). Courses include learners and learning, foundations for teaching, sociology, linguistics, learning through play, mathematics and technology and learning through creative arts.

Graduates qualify for employment in early childhood services licensed by the NSW Department of Community Services (or equivalent agency in other Australian states), Government, Catholic and independent schools. Employment opportunities exist in long day-care centres, pre-schools and schools.

Current Australian Year 12 Students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

Non school leavers and previous Australian Year 12 students:

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on:

• Previous Year 12 studies and/or
• Higher education, tertiary, post-secondary qualifications and/or
• Overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications.
• Relevant vocational experience.

International Students

International students currently undertaking:

• an Australian Year 12 in Australia
• an Australian Year 12 outside Australia
• an International Baccalaureat (IB) in Australia

Apply for entry through UAC. Entry based on UAI or equivalent.

All other international students:

Apply direct to International Admissions. Entry based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirement.

Band 4 English for Secondary teaching; Band 4 English and Band 4 Mathematics for Primary teaching. Students who do not demonstrate this level on entry, including non-school applicants, will be required to complete an additional equivalent unit/s as concurrent study or demonstrate equivalent standing.

Credit transfer agreements with TAFE, NSW and other education providers are under continuous negotiation. For more information about articulation arrangements please see the University's website, at www.newcastle.edu.au/credit/. For further detail contact the Ourimbah Hub, Administration Building, Ourimbah Campus.

Awarded on the basis of superior performance in the program.

The School of Education within the Faculty of Education and Arts is committed to achieving the University of Newcastle's number one strategic priority of making 'high quality education of professionals a defining feature' of study at the university. To achieve this strategic priority our programs incorporate both traditional and innovative approaches to professional experience. Students will complete the equivalent of 80 days professional experience in relevant school settings in a four-year Bachelor program; or 60 days of professional experience in the Master of Teaching program. This matches the current NSW Institute of Teachers (NSWIT) draft requirements for professional experience in two-year postgraduate initial teacher education programs.

Graduates of an accredited initial teacher education program will be eligible for registration with the NSW Institute of Teachers, and can pursue careers as teachers or educators in both the NSW Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education and Independent school systems; and in public and private sectors both nationally and internationally.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts the responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for international students, in liaison with the International Development Services unit support team, which offers practical assistance and advice to international students.

All new International Students will be provided with an Orientation of the Faculty of Education and Arts and the University at the commencement of each semester.

There is a designated International Students Liaison Officer in all Schools within the Faculty of Education and Arts. This Officer is available to International Students as a representative and also to seek guidance and advice from.

The Faculty of Education and Arts accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness.

Prior to Graduation the Department of Education and Training requires evidence that students have developed computer competencies in the areas of basic skills and pedagogy. Students are required to satisfactorily demonstrate these competencies during specific courses in the program.

The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) consists of 320 units of study. Full-time students will undertake a total of 80 units of study in each year, with their final semester including a ten week fieldwork experience in an early childhood 0-5 or K-2 school setting during which the student will fulfil the role of a beginning teacher.