Bachelor of Teaching/
Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Callaghan Campus)

Summary

The Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program prepares students to teach children from birth to eight years.

The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge for the teaching profession and at the same time develop strengths in the area of teaching specialisation.

Career opportunities

Graduates qualify for registration with the NSW Department of Community Services for employment in Early Childhood Services. They also qualify for employment by the NSW Department of Education and Training, and Catholic and Independent schools.

Further employment opportunities exist in long day care centres, preschools, schools and a range of other children's services.

Entry requirements

Recommended Studies: Any two units of English.

Additional entry requirements: All teacher education students must complete a Criminal Record Check and a Prohibited Employment Declaration to be able to undertake practical course requirements.

How to apply

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 or 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 Baccalaureate (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 requirements.

Description

IMPORTANT! You must read the Undergraduate Degree Rules. Click here to view.

The Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a four-year integrated double degree program that prepares students for teaching children up to eight years old. The program consists of an Early Childhood Studies component and an Education component.

The Early Childhood Studies component consists of foundation studies of early childhood education across a range of disciplines. The Education component courses are offered under four strands: Teaching and Learning (including Special Education); Specialist Teaching Methods; Professional Experience and Research.

Year 1

In year 1 students undertake a total of 80 units comprising 40 units in the Teaching component and 40 units in the Early Childhood Studies component.

Year 2

In year 2 students undertake a total of 80 units comprising 40 units in the Teaching component and 40 units in the Early Childhood Studies component.

Year 3

In year 3 students undertake a total of 80 units comprising 50 units in the Teaching component and 30 units in the Early Childhood Studies component.

Year 4

In year 4 students undertake a total of 80 units comprising 60 units in the Teaching component and 20 units in the Early Childhood Studies component. The Teaching component includes a ten week internship.

Professional Experience and Internship.

The professional experience and internship courses for each specialisation area in all double degree programs must be completed in the prescribed sequence, with at least one professional experience course relating to the specialisation of the Internship. All students will be required to complete Child Protection Training before being allowed into schools. Additionally all students must sign a declaration stating they are not a prohibited person (Prohibited Employment Declaration) before being allowed into schools or other service organisations. Students are required to do practicum components as part of their program and may be required to do these at various times throughout the program.

The Internship in the double degree programs can only be undertaken on the successful completion of 270 units of that double degree specialisation, including both professional experience courses, prior to the semester of internship enrolment. Internship is a Semester 2 course. Semester 1 enrolment is only available to students whose advertised program is due to end at the end of semester 1.

Credit Transfer Agreements

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/

Program Structure

The program requires the successful completion of 320 units comprising:

• 190 units in the Teaching component
• 130 units in the Early Childhood component
• A 10 week internship.

Department of Education and Training

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.

Prescribed Sequence

Many course areas require students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses. This means that students must enrol in courses in a particular order to satisfy the requirements. Such requirements are mandatory when they lead to a professional accrediation or when they involve the progressive acquisition of knowledge and/or skills. Before enrolling, students must consult the School responsible for the course area to ensure that they are satisfying its requiremnts. Failure to undertake courses in the required sepquence may result in timetable clashes and/or the inability to complete the award in minimum time.

Program Requirements

Many course areas require students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses. This means that students must enrol in courses in a particular order to satisfy the requirements. Such requirements are mandatory when they lead to professional accreditation or when they involve the progressive acquisition of knowledge and/or skills. Before enrolling, students must consult the School responsible for the course area to ensure that they are satisfying its requirements. Failure to undertake courses in the required sequence may result in timetable clashes and /or the inability to complete the award in minimum time.

Not all courses will be offered each semester. To establish offer status click on the course code for the course and follow the links to timetabling information.

The following table sets out the approved program for students commencing in 2003 or after. Students who commenced prior to 2003 should visit the School of Education website at www.newcastle.edu.au/school/education/index.html or contact the Hunter Student hub for information on course selection.

Honours - Double Degree Programs

To qualify for admission to the double degree with Honours in Teaching, a student must achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) equal to or greater than 5.5 over the final two years of their program of study.

From 2009, for students entering their third year of study embedded honours will be assessed under the new rules.

Approved Courses

Year 1
EDUC1003	Learners and the Learning Process 1	10 units
EDUC1005	Professional Preparation 1A	10 units
EDUC1006	Professional Preparation 1B	10 units
EDUC1004	Contexts of Teaching 1	10 units
AART1020	Foundation in Creative Arts for Early Childhood	10 units
HIST1051	The Australian Experience	10 units
LING1110	Foundations of Language	10 units
MATH1900	Elementary Mathematics	10 units
Year 2
EDUC2047	Professional Experience 1 (0-5)	10 units
EDUC2012	English for ECE	10 units
EDUC2013	Mathematics for ECE	10 units
EDUC2100	EC Professional Preparation 2	10 units
EDUC2001	Developmental Foundations of EC 1	10 units
EDUC2002	EC Curriculum Studies 1	10 units
SCIM2030	Foundations in Science & Technology	10 units
PUBH2020	Foundation Studies in Health and Physical Education	10 units
Year 3
EDUC3102	Professional Experience 2 (K-2)	10 units
EDUC3148	Creative Arts for ECE	10 units
EDUC3103	Early Childhood Special Education	10 units
EDUC3150	Science and Technology for ECE	10 units
EDUC3001	Developmental Foundations of EC 2	10 units
EDUC3002	Children's Services & Social Policy	10 units
EDUC3151	EC Curriculum Studies 2	10 units
SOCA1040	Sociology of Children and Families replaces SOCA3870 Sociology of Australian Families	10 units
Year 4
ABOR3500	Aboriginal Education, Policies and Issues	10 units
EDUC4111	EC Professional Preparation 4	10 units
EDUC4098	HSIE for ECE	10 units
EDUC4048	PD/H/PE for ECE	10 units
EDUC4001	Managing EC Services	10 units
EDUC4078	Teacher Research Project	10 units
EDUC4045	Early Childhood Internship	20 units

Schedule

The relevant program schedule is available within the Degree Rules and Schedules section of the Policy Library.