UniSA’s new education degrees offer honours with a difference. They focus on you being ready-to-teach, with enhanced career opportunities, with the added benefit of graduating with an Honours. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in early childhood or primary education (birth to 8 years of age).

This industry-relevant degree is a new four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching, that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary educator in childcare, pre-school, and junior primary settings.

The curriculum is practical in nature and you will begin work placements during your first six months. This focus on industry experience will continue throughout your studies, and on graduation you will have completed 105 days of field-based placements. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as leadership and advocacy in matters relating to early childhood. 

At Mawson Lakes campus, the primary specialism offered is Arts.

At Magill campus, the primary specialisms offered are Arts, English and Mathematics/Science.

The primary specialisms available externally include Arts, English and Mathematics/Science.

Please note that while your home campus may offer specific specialisms, you are able to study your specialism cross-campus.

The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.

What you'll learn

The aim of this degree is to provide you with knowledge across a range of contexts. The learning is largely practically-based, and centres heavily on the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as curriculum planning for learners aged from birth to eight years of age. The four key components of the curriculum include:

•primary specialism

•curriculum studies

•professional experience

•education studies

You will also undertake three courses in a Learning Area aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Learning Areas include:

• Arts
• English
• Mathematics/Science

The key focus of this honours degree is research and the production of an honours project at the end of your studies.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) degree offers a range of diverse employment options beyond teaching only specific roles. You may choose to work for a variety of employers including:

• business associations
• the Department for Education
• private and community-based child care providers
• Catholic Education South Australia (CESA)
• the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA)
   

The Honours degree will equip you with an additional qualification and specialised skills which will enhance your employment prospects if you choose to continue into teaching. The specialised teaching field shows promising job prospects Australia-wide, with strong long-term growth*. Careers to consider include: 

• childcare educator: encourage the healthy intellectual and psychological growth of children aged from birth to four years of age 
• kindergarten teacher: responsible for a child’s first education experience; this role often encompasses introducing basic skills, including letters, numbers, social science and behavioural skills 
• preschool teacher: educate and care for children aged three to five years 
• junior primary teacher: develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives and facilitate classroom learning for children aged five to eight  

*Australian Governments Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015 

Graduates go on to work in a variety of settings including:

• childcare centres 
• kindergartens 
• primary schools 
• crèches 
• pediatric hospital wards 
• women’s shelters 
• parent drop-in centres 
• community outreach and recreation centres 
• in-home child care  
   

You may also choose to continue onto further research with a PhD, Masters of Education or Education Doctorate.*

*A class 2A honours grade or higher is required.

The initial teacher education qualification for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) meets the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia (the Board) qualification requirements for the purpose of teacher registration in South Australia and the requirements of the national approach to the Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs in Australia.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Successful completion of this program provides a recognised academic qualification which will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Applicants should note there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and other registration and regulatory authorities. Applicants are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.

This program has been approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an Early Childhood Teaching Qualification for the purposes of the Education and Care Services National Law.