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

  • Understanding Holistic Development in Context
  • Early Childhood Curriculum Development
  • Trends in Early Childhood Development and Teaching
  • 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.

• Entry requirements

  A student applying for the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education should:

  • Hold the equivalent of a four year primary teaching qualification;
  • Hold a Teacher Registration; and
  • Have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience

• 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.

• 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.

  
  

  Domestic Fee-Paying
  A domestic fee-paying place is a place at university where the student is responsible for the full cost the program.

  Eligible domestic fee-paying students may apply for the FEE-HELP loan scheme which assists eligible fee-paying students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your FEE-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  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?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  For more information, please email studyonline@nd.edu.au.