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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July, October
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Duration
0.5 years full-time; 1 year part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Online
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
GradCertEd(EC)
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Course code
1008500
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
4
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
-
Duration
0.5 years full-time; 1 year part-time
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Location
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
GradCertEd(EC)
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Course code
1008500
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
4
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Delivered fully online in flexible mode, the course is the first step on a pathway to becoming a fully qualified early childhood teacher. Successful completion of this certificate provides guaranteed entry and up to four units of advanced standing into the ACECQA approved Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood).
Students choosing the professional placement elective will complete professional experience learning in an early childcare setting. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
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“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Exercise critical analysis, problem solving, and decision making in Early Childhood educational based practice |
GA2: Creativity Demonstrate cognitive, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an Early Childhood professional working in a learning community with all stakeholders |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate an evidence based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective Early Childhood educational practice |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret evidence based research which inform professional decision making |
GA7: Cultural competence Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts |
Students who choose to complete Professional Experience pathway will undertake professional experience learning via field education. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
In addition to studying core units, students will choose to undertake the Professional Experience pathway or the Elective pathway.
The Professional Experience pathway includes a 30 day professional experience placement in an approved early childhood setting completed together with the relevant Theory to Practice unit.
The Elective pathway allows students to choose one elective unit of study from a range of early childhood unit options.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 |
Career Outcomes
This course is ideal for graduates from any discipline looking to enter the early childhood sector. Successful completion of this course provides guaranteed entry and four units of advanced standing into the Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood).
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
A three (3) year bachelor qualification or equivalent work experience.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
Course requirements
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To be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) students must complete the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) comprising:
- 3 core units (36 credit points); and
- Electives equivalent to 12 credit points.
- Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why Education at SCU
5-star rating
5-star rating for postgraduate overall experience, student support, skills development and teaching quality in Education and Training
(GUG 2023)Higher starting salary
Graduates have a higher starting salary than national average in Teacher Education
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)Graduate employment
90% of graduates employed within four months of completing their course
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway