Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Ontario

Frequently asked questions

How much credit is given for a Diploma in Early Childhood from an Ontario Community College towards the completion of the four-year Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies?
The full credit allowed by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (40% towards a four year Honours degree) is granted. In order to permit students to complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies in only two additional years, CSU-Ontario provides the remaining 60% of the program within a two-year period. 

It is indicated that Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies has been developed in direct partnership with Sheridan and Mohawk. Are graduates of other Ontario Community Colleges eligible to apply?
Yes, anyone with a diploma in early childhood from an Ontario Community College with the required standing (B or equivalent) is eligible to apply, however, since the program was specifically developed as a logical extension of existing two-year diploma programs at Mohawk and Sheridan, graduates of these colleges will be given priority.

It is also indicated that applicants who have been in the field for five years may apply.  What about applicants who were granted diplomas in early childhood more than five years ago?
As indicated above, the degree was developed as a logical extension of current diploma programs at Mohawk and Sheridan, so applicants who have completed this diploma within the past five years will be given priority, however applicants with a range of practical experience in the field for longer than five years are encouraged to apply. 

Applicants are asked to submit a summary of their practical experience (exclusive of college field experiences) to help with this selection process.

How is the tuition fee of CAD$16,000 a year justified?
Charles Sturt University is a public, not-for-profit institution and does not receive any funding from either the Australian or the Ontario government to support its programs in Ontario. The yearly tuition reflects the actual cost to the University of providing a world-class Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Studies. Dependent upon subject selection, it is possible to reduce this fee to $14,000 per year (refer to McMaster elective options listed below).    

Applicants are advised to compare the cost of attending alternative university programs in which they may have to complete an additional year to acquire a comparable Honours degree that will permit them to enter postgraduate programs (e.g. one-year Faculty of Education programs in Primary-Junior education, Master-level programs, Speech-Language Pathology programs). Our two-year degree completion program saves the cost of an additional year of university tuition, and results in earlier graduation and streamlined access to more lucrative positions in the field. For those applicants living in the Hamilton, Halton and Peel areas, the proximity of the Ontario Campus in Burlington eliminates considerable relocation and commuting costs. As well, there are no hidden costs at CSU (no fees for parking, photocopying, printing) and textbook prices are kept low because many course resources are provided free through the CSU online library system.

Are there any loans or scholarships available?
Yes. Students enrolled in CSU Ontario's Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program qualify for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) loans. Information about how to apply for these loans is available by contacting the Ontario Student Assistance Program online at osap.gov.on.ca

As well, there is a $5,000 bursary (divided into bursaries of up to $2,000 each for full-time students and up to $1,000 for part-time students). These bursaries are available to students in their first two sessions of study in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies. They are granted on the basis of scholarship and professional merit. Information about how to apply for these bursaries is available by contacting CSU Ontario on 905 333 4955 or emailing earlychildhood@csu.edu.au

Applicants are also advised to investigate bank loans. Students in the CSU Ontario Faculty of Education program have found this option to be equitable with OSAP opportunities.

Will part-time options be available for those who must continue working?
Yes, students may apply to attend on a half-time basis. This would equate to two courses per term for four terms, with an additional requirement to complete on BECS distance education course and four elective courses either by distance education from CSU, or part-time at a Canadian University.

How much would it cost to attend part-time?
The cost for each course is CAD$1600. The tuition for students taking two courses per term would be CAD$3200 per term for four years (CAD$6400 per year). The additional four elective courses could cost anywhere from CAD$600 to $1600 each, depending on whether they are taken online from CSU or direct from a Canadian University.

When would the part-time courses be offered?
All of the courses will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon and evenings during the term. Most part-time students opt to take the two three-hour evening courses per week; a few have opted to take one three-hour afternoon course and one three-hour evening course per week. Since we are a small campus, these kinds of decisions are best made after we meet and discuss the course structure with individual students.

How long would a student be given to complete the degree part-time?
The degree would have to be completed within a five-year period.

Would liberal arts courses which have already been completed at university level be accepted for the elective requirements?
These elective options will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

How will students access the electives courses?
Students have a choice of taking online courses through CSU or Ryerson University, or on campus courses at McMaster University or other Canadian universities. Students would first check with the CSU Program Director to ensure that the courses they wish to take would be accepted in the BECS program as an elective. They would then enrol directly into the University of their choice. BECS staff are available to assist students with these procedures.

Will credit be given for undergraduate university courses that have already been completed?
Credit will be considered for degree level university courses successfully completed within the last ten years, for which they either have direct equivalency with courses in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies or could be counted as electives.

What evidence is required for this elective credit to be granted?
To be given equivalency for one of the four elective courses in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, a transcript must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution to the Program Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, at Charles Sturt University's Burlington, Ontario Campus, as well as official course descriptions from the University catalogue describing course level, duration and a description.

Would any additional credit be given beyond the four elective courses for completed degree level courses?
Up to 50% of the two-year degree completion program may be granted if the applicant can provide evidence of completing degree level courses that are considered equivalent to year three and four courses in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies.

What evidence is required for this equivalency credit to be granted?
As above, a transcript must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution to the Program Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies at Charles Sturt University's Ontario Campus. In addition, official course descriptions from the university brochure must be provided. The Program Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies, will make the final decision regarding the equivalency of these courses.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 17th April 2009 to 17th April 2014. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the programs and the degrees will be appropriate to their needs (e.g. acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 17th April 2009 to 17th April 2014. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the programs and the degrees will be appropriate to their needs (e.g. acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).