Faculty of Education Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECS)

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Faculty of Education

Table of Contents

1. Overview
    1.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours)
        1.1.1. Course objectives
            1.1.1.1. Enquiries
        1.1.2. Concurrent diplomas
2. Course structure
    2.1. Overview
    2.2. Workload
    2.3. Credit
    2.4. Course outline for students commencing the Parkville program prior to 2002
    2.5. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1998
3. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program)
    3.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program) (Honours)
    3.2. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 2004
    3.3. Course Program for students enrolled from 2004
    3.4. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1999
4. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (International Program)
Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions: Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Parkville program - 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001
        Third year
    Fourth Year
    Subject descriptions: Pathways Program 1999 and beyond
        First year
        Second year
        Third Year
    Fourth Year
    Fifth Year
    Subject descriptions: International Program
        First year
        Second year
        Third year

The final intake into the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (on campus program) was 2001. There will be no further intake into this course. The following information applies only to students who are currently enrolled in the course. Please note this does not apply to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways) course or Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (International Program).

1. Overview

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (BECS) is a 400-point four-year degree course designed to meet the growing demand for early childhood educators who can work across a range of early childhood services. The general aim of the course is to educate students in early childhood studies and to provide professional training for students.

Students enrolled in this course are not qualified to teach in primary schools.

The BECS course consists of five main areas of study:

• Child development studies, the major study in the degree. Students gain a breadth of knowledge across a range of disciplinary and non-disciplinary approaches and acquire an in-depth understanding of the literature in key aspects of this area of study;

• The early childhood professional studies sequence concentrates on management theory and practice;

• Curriculum is organised into two study sequences: curriculum foundation studies and curriculum theory and practice, and studies the learning roles of a number of disciplines in early childhood education as well as the design and implementation of curriculum;

• A total of 100 days of practicum;

• The special research study in the final year.

1.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours)

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Honours) award a student must satisfy the normal course requirements and they must:

• obtain an average mark of at least 75 in Practicum 1-4; and

• obtain a mark of 65 or more in the Special Research Study - Honours; and

• obtain an average mark of 75 or more in all other subjects in the course.

1.1.1. Course objectives

On completion of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies graduates should:

• understand the nature of the early childhood period, defined as 0-8 years;

• have acquired the basic concepts, knowledge and analytical skills of the variety of disciplines which contribute to an understanding of the early childhood period;

• have acquired a thorough understanding of the psychological and physical development of the child in the early childhood period;

• understand the influence of culture, family and community on childhood and child development;

• have acquired specific skills, knowledge and concepts in the major curriculum areas relevant to early childhood education;

• be able to design integrated curricula for children in various settings;

• be able to implement programs for a range of early childhood services;

• be able to critically analyse and evaluate program effectiveness and professional performance;

• understand the diverse roles of the early childhood educator;

• understand the social and political context in which early childhood services operate and its impact on the work of the early childhood professional, children and families;

• understand the managerial and personal skills involved in running early childhood services;

• understand the need for continued reflection and development as a basis for professional practice in early childhood settings; and

• at honours level, have extended knowledge and critical understandings in early childhood studies and have acquired skills necessary to undertake research.

1.1.1.1. Enquiries

For further information about this course please contact the Melbourne Education Student Centre, telephone +61 3 8344 8285.

1.1.2. Concurrent diplomas

For information regarding enrolment in concurrent diplomas, please refer to the entry under Bachelor of Early Childhood Education.

2. Course structure

2.1. Overview

The course can be completed in a minimum of four and maximum of 10 years.

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• accumulate a total of 400 points; and

• complete child development studies of at least 125 points; and

• complete curriculum foundation studies amounting to 75 points; and

• complete curriculum theory and practice studies amounting to 62.5 points; and

• complete early childhood professional studies amounting to 75 points; and

• complete the practicum component, which amounts to 50 points over 4 years; and

• complete the special research study or special research study (honours) of 12.5 points.

2.2. Workload

The standard workload for each year is 100 points. Special permission may be granted to enrol in 112.5 points in years other than the first year of the course.

2.3. Credit

Credit towards the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies may be granted for previous relevant tertiary studies. Credit is determined by the faculty and awarded at the time of enrolment.

Credit is not normally granted for studies undertaken more than 10 years prior to the year of admission to the degree.

For further details refer to the Faculty of Education Credit Policy which is available from the Melbourne Education Student Centre.

2.4. Course outline for students commencing the Parkville program prior to 2002

For course outline for years one and two of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies please refer to the course entry in the 2003 University of Melbourne Undergraduate Handbook.

Students upgrading from the Diploma of Social Science (Child-Care Services) undertake 465-428 Practicum 4D and 465-429 Practicum 4Einstead of 465-400 Practicum 4.

Refer to the Faculty Office for credit details.

2.5. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1998

Please refer to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies entry in the University of Melbourne Undergraduate Studies Handbook 2001.

3. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Pathways Program is designed to give holders of a TAFE Diploma of Children's Services the opportunity to upgrade their qualification to degree level by undertaking the BECS course part time and on an external basis.

Students entering the Pathways Program from 1999 receive 150 points credit towards the BECS course and complete the remaining 250 points externally, normally over five years. Students enrolled in this course prior to 1999 complete 200 points, normally over four years.

Students will have the opportunity to attend an orientation program at the ommencement of Semester 1. An additional on-campus program will be offered in Semester 2.

Completion of this course does not qualify graduates to teach in primary schools.

3.1. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program) (Honours)

To qualify for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways Program) (Honours) award, a student must satisfy the following requirements in addition to the normal course requirements:

• an average mark of 75 or more in Practicum 3P-4P;

• a mark of 65 or more in Special Research Study P-Honours;

• an average mark of 75 or more in all other subjects in the course.

3.2. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 2004

The normal pattern of study is as follows:

3.3. Course Program for students enrolled from 2004

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (Pathways) course complete subjects in progression throught the year.

Each subject will be taken within a six week study period. Students are expected to attend an "on-campus" day early in each teaching period ie Semester 1, winter intensive period and Semester 2. Dates and further details will be given to students soon after enrolment.

Year One

Semester 1 465-325 Curriculum 3-5, 465-122 Teaching and Learning

Winter Intensive 465-223 Play and Development

Semester 2 465-222 Socialisation and Identity, 465-121 Arts 1

Year Two

Semester 1 465-323 Language, Literacy and Numeracy, 465-434 Administrative Processes

Winter Intensive 465-326 Curriculum Design 2

Semester 2 465-324 Developmental Differences, 485-265 Mathematics

Year Three

Year long 465-312 Practicum 3

Semester 1 465-435 Managing the Centre

Winter Intensive 465-432 Inclusive Curriculum

Semester 2 485-368 Information Technology, 465-430 Social Diversity

Year Four

Semester 1 465-419 Practicum 4 (or semester 2), 465-433 Leadership and Advocacy

Winter Intensive 465-431 Assessment & Evaluation

Semester 2485-369 Science, 465-436 Special Research Study (or) 465-437 Special Research Study (Honours)

3.4. Course outline for students enrolled prior to 1999

Please refer to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies entry in the University of Melbourne Undergraduate Studies Handbook 2001.

4. Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (International Program)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies (International) is devoted to the professional development of preschool professionals in Singapore. This program provides a pathway from the Diploma of Preschool Teaching to a degree in early childhood. Additional credit is provided for applicants with a Diploma of Preschool Education (Leadership) or a three-year post year 12 diploma qualification. This new program has been revised and designed to complement previous studies at the diploma level and to extend studies in early childhood to the degree level. The subjects offered in this program provide options for students to explore current issues in early childhood and their impact in Singapore.

Subject descriptions: Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Parkville program - 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001

For subject descriptions for years one and two of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies course please refer to the University of Melbourne 2003 Undergraduate Handbook.

Third year

Fourth Year

465-400 Practicum 4
465-401 CDS41 Social Diversity
465-402 CDS42 Assessment & Evaluation
465-403 CTP41 Inclusive Curriculum
465-404 ECP41 Leadership & Advocacy
465-405 ECP42 Administrative Processes
465-406 ECP43 Managing The Centre
465-407 Special Research Study
465-416 Special Research Study (Honours)
465-428 Practicum 4D
465-429 Practicum 4E

Subject descriptions: Pathways Program 1999 and beyond

First year

Second year

Third Year

Fourth Year

465-420 CDS41P Social Diversity
465-422 CTP41P Inclusive Curriculum
465-425 ECP43P Managing the Centre
485-359 CFS32P Science

Fifth Year

465-419 Practicum 4P
465-421 CDS42P Assessment and Evaluation
465-423 ECP41P Leadership & Advocacy
465-426 Special Research Study P
465-427 Special Research Study P (Honours)

Subject descriptions: International Program

First year

Second year

Third year

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