Bachelor of Early Childhood (BECH) - BECh

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 908151; Distance education: 908155; Springfield campus: 928151

CRICOS code (International applicants): 056707B

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Program focus

This program is designed to prepare students to work in early childhood care and educational settings, as well as to become a director of a child care centre. It gives students the skills to create effective teaching programs and learning environments for young children. Students will graduate with skills to administer a child care centre, plan and work within a budget and effectively manage staff. There is a professional experience component within this program.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this program are prepared for a successful career as Director of a child care centre. Intending students should note that this program does not lead to eligibility for teacher registration in Queensland.

Professional accreditation

The program is not accredited with the Queensland College of Teachers, but is subject to accreditation through the Queensland Department of Communities. Students outside of Queensland should check with their relevant authority.

Program aims

The Bachelor of Early Childhood program aims to graduate students who demonstrate:

• the knowledge, skills, practices and values inherent in contemporary understandings of best practice in early childhood education, particularly as these understandings are reflected in the expectations of the Queensland Department of Communities

• the qualities and skills required of a USQ graduate (see Section 4.2.5 of the University Calendar)

• the attributes of a Faculty of Education graduate

• sound levels of knowledge and understanding appropriate to working as educators with children from birth to eight years of age and in a range of early childhood settings.

Admission requirements

Normal Entry

Year 12 or equivalent.

Special Entry

Students with Year 10 or equivalent and at least three years full-time equivalent work experience relevant to the early childhood sector will be considered for admission.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

International students

International students must have completed the equivalent to Queensland secondary school Year 12 and be at university entry level standing. International students whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language with the provision of a recent IELTS test of 6.0 or higher with no subset of less than 5.5. For TOEFL and other equivalents, please refer to this website: http://www.usq.edu.au/international/apply/entry.htm

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for undergraduate programs may be made through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). The same procedure applies whether you plan to study on-campus or by distance education.

If you completed Year 12 at a Queensland secondary school you will be assessed for entry on the basis of your Overall Position (OP) or equivalent score. Year 12 students from other states or territories are considered for entry on the basis of their UAI, ENTER or TER and the subject prerequisites indicated. Other applicants will be based on their overall Rank. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The three-year Bachelor of Early Childhood requires 24 units at undergraduate level. A minimum of six semesters of study must be undertaken.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.

Program completion requirements

In order to complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood a student must complete 24 units of study, as per the list below.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 7 years to complete this program.

Practical experience

The Bachelor of Early Childhood program complies with all requirements of the Queensland Department of Communities in terms of the placements in each of Child Care Centres, Kindergartens and Pre-Schools.

The professional experience components of the program are all tied to identified courses within the program, so that students undertake a professional experience placement in four of their six semesters of full-time enrolment. There are 55 days of professional experience required.

In order to undertake courses to which professional experience placements are attached at any stage in the program it is a requirement that students will have satisfactorily completed all professional experience courses in previous years in the program enrolment pattern.

The Faculty of Education appoints a specific liaison staff member for every student and host site for every placement, with the critical role of being the key source of information, advice and support for all parties involved in the placement.

For further information, see http://www.usq.edu.au/education/profexp/default.htm

IT requirements

Students must have reliable and ready access to email and the internet. Broadband would be a significant advantage. See http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/hardware.htm

Other program requirements

There are no program requirements other than the satisfactory completion of 24 approved units and 55 days of approved professional experience. However, in order to undertake the professional experience, and certain other activities with young people identified in various course specifications, it is required that Queensland-based students hold a current positive notice indicating that they are deemed suitable for working with children and young people. Further information about the “Blue Card” suitability process is available from the Commission for Children and Young People.

Articulation

Students who complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood may articulate to the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood).

Exit points

The Bachelor of Early Childhood degree contains provision for two generic exit awards, as follows:

• Associate Degree in Education Studies (DAES) - available at the completion of 16 approved units

• Diploma in Education Studies (DPES) - available at the completion of 8 approved units.

Exemptions

Students may seek exemption from units on the basis of documented prior study at University level or equivalent qualifications and experience. Such applications will be considered on their merits in relation to the extent to which the documentation supplied by the student demonstrates a clear match with the objectives of the course for which the exemption is sought. In relation to this general provision, students who have completed the Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services) or approved equivalent with a Registered Training Organisation may be eligible for up to 8 and 12 units exemption respectively.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - students commencing Semester 1, 2009
• Transition plans for second year students in 2009
• BECH Commenced semester 2 2008
• Recommended enrolment pattern for final year students in 2009

Recommended enrolment pattern - students commencing Semester 1, 2009

Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section to ascertain if a course is offered in another term.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.

Transition plans for second year students in 2009

BECH Commenced semester 1 2008

Students should not deviate from this pattern without first discussing it with the Program Administration Office or the Program Coordinator.

Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section to ascertain if a course is offered in another term. Students should select elective courses from the Electives list presented earlier.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.

BECH Commenced semester 2 2008

Students should not deviate from this pattern without first discussing it with the Program Administration Office or the Program Coordinator.

Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section to ascertain if a course is offered in another term. Students should select elective courses from the Electives list presented earlier.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.

Recommended enrolment pattern for final year students in 2009

Students should not deviate from this pattern without first discussing it with the Program Administration Office or the Program Coordinator.

Students following a non-standard enrolment pattern should consult the course synopses section to ascertain if a course is offered in another term. Students should select elective courses from the Electives list presented earlier.

Note: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to all courses. Should enrolments not meet the minimum number required, students may be transferred to a different mode or offering and advised of this change prior to semester start.