Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood)

School of Education

Are you an experienced teacher with a desire to teach and specialise in Early Childhood education? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) is the ideal qualification for you. The program is nationally accredited and enables primary qualified teachers to gain an early childhood qualification. The 12-month program includes 12 weeks of practical teaching experience across both childcare and school settings. Get in touch today to find out more.

• Why study this degree?

  Are you interested in Early Childhood education? Our Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood), which is delivered fully online, provides specialised study for those wishing to develop their skills and qualifications to teach in the early years from birth to 8 years.

  This postgraduate program covers topics such as Understanding Holistic Development in Context, Early Years’ Curriculum Development, Trends in Early Childhood Development and Education, and Integration in Early Years settings.

  If your current qualification is not in Early Childhood, you will also be required to complete a practical component that is embedded in the courses offered. This involves two weeks with babies and toddlers (aged 0-2 years) within a childcare context and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare setting. The practicum components are embedded within the coursework.

  Graduates of this program may choose to enrol for a Master of Education at Notre Dame.

• Program summary

  Required Courses

  • EDUC6075Understanding Holistic Development in Context
  • EDUC6004 Early Childhood Curriculum Development
  • EDUC6243 Trends in Early Childhood Development and Teaching
  • EDUC6076 Integration in Early Years Setting

  Practicum Experience is embedded within the coursework (two weeks with babies and toddlers aged 0-2 years within a childcare context and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare context).

  Please note: Students who already hold an ECE qualification are not required to undertake the practicum.

  For a list of courses available please see Schedule of Courses.

  Students may commence in Summer Term (January), in Semester 1 (February) or April Intensive, in Winter Term (July), in Semester 2 (July) or October Intensive, subject to course availability.

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  University Admission Requirements  

  To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University’s Policy: Admission and Credit.

  Academic Requirements

  Academic requirements for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) 4069 Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) Page 4 of 6 Effective Date: 12 July 2023 are:

  • English Language Test Scores
    English Language Test Scores Education students who have English as an Additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 8.0 (with no score below 7 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening).

  Specific Program Requirements for Admission

  To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) applicants must also meet the following specific requirements.

  • Hold an Initial Teacher Education degree in Early Childhood or Primary Education; and
  • Teacher Registration in Australia (called Accreditation in NSW)

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) graduates will be able to:

  1. Critically apply and reflect on advanced knowledge and understandings of specialised educational theory, practice, and research within the domain of curriculum studies
  2. Critically evaluate issues pertaining to curriculum planning and design, which underlie the understanding of significant contemporary developments in education both nationally and internationally
  3. Use cognitive, technical, and creative skills with initiative, high level of personal autonomy and accountability to generate understanding of complex issues in curriculum studies within school contexts; and
  4. Use communication and technical skills to implement, justify and interpret critical issues in curriculum planning and design within educational contexts.

• Practical component

  You will complete practical placements including 2 weeks in a childcare setting with babies and toddlers (aged 0-2 years) and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare setting.

  Students requiring an initial early childhood teaching qualification must undertake a fifth course, the elective practicum option in order to meet ACECQA’s accreditation requirements.

• Career opportunities

  A Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) will give qualified teachers the ability to teach in government, independent and Catholic schools as early childhood teachers and gain employment in childcare settings.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) meets the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) accreditation requirements.

  External accreditation requirements apply for students requiring an initial early childhood qualification accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). To obtain the Accreditation students must successfully complete all of the professional experience requirements within the Award.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session.

  Phone: 1800 878 916
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160