Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Ontario

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

How much transfer credit will I get if I have an Early Childhood Education diploma from an Ontario College?
The full credit allowed by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (38% 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 at Ontario provides the remaining 62% of the program within that period.

It is indicated that the 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 college with a B / 70% average is eligible to apply.  

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 from Colleges such as Mohawk and Sheridan. Applicants with a range of practical experience in the field for longer than five years are strongly 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.

Why does it cost $1,680 per course?
Charles Sturt University is a public, not-for-profit, institution but 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.    

Bursaries are available for students in this program. There are also other means of funding your degree through external sources:

• federal and provincial grants
• employers, who might offer subsidies and/or reimbursement to those who are furthering their education
• the Lifelong Learning Plan, which allows individuals to withdraw funds from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to finance training or education:www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/llp
• Scholarships Canada: www.scholarshipscanada.com
• Student Awards: www.studentawards.com
• CanLearn: www.canlearn.ca

The provincial government provides students with loans, grants, bursaries, and scholarships through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). For more information, visit: www.osap.gov.on.ca.

When are courses offered?
All of the courses will be offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings during the term (this is unlikely to change, but we ask that all students check the website for specific course availability). The courses are offered in the afternoon one year and in the evening the next year, and vice versa to allow maximum flexibility for part-time students. Most part-time students choose to take the two evening courses per week; a few have opted to take one afternoon course and one evening course per week, and others have taken the two afternoon courses. 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 must be completed within five years.

How will students access the breadth electives courses?
Students have a choice of taking online courses through CSU or courses from any other university. Students should first check with the Program Director to ensure that the courses they wish to take would be accepted in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program as a breadth elective. Staff are available to assist students with these procedures. Many students choose to enrol in face-to-face courses during the summer at local universities to spread their workload out.

Will credit be given for undergraduate university courses that have already been completed?
Transcripts, which need to be directly sent from the degree-granting institution to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies Program Director, and official course descriptions need to be submitted and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Credit may be granted if the course was completed successfully and in the last ten years. Transfer credit is typically awarded towards the completion of breadth electives in the program.

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.

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).