Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Ontario

What is this program about?

CSU's Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies provides an Honours degree-level qualification for Diploma-trained educators in the field of early childhood education.

About the program

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies is a two-year Honours degree completion program that builds on the Diploma of Early Childhood Education offered at Ontario colleges. The program was developed in collaboration with faculty from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, and Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Graduates of early childhood education programs in Ontario colleges will be granted recognition of their diploma, and will enter directly into year three of this Honours degree completion program.

The program aims to bring multiple and critical perspectives to the forefront in the preparation of early childhood professionals, and seeks to develop graduates who are leaders and advocates in the early childhood field.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies recognises the importance of highly qualified early childhood educators and the contribution they make to the economic, social and cultural fabric of society. This program aims to produce graduates who are committed to continuing personal and professional growth, resulting in highly qualified early childhood educators who can make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities.

The curriculum incorporates key perspectives and practices including:

• pedagogical documentation
• social justice and equity
• research and critical perspectives
• curriculum studies
• the practice of relationships
• professional experience.

This program is offered full-time or part-time on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings each week on our campus. Our students have found that this consistent schedule allows them to balance their academic life with family, work, and other social commitments by knowing in advance when they will be required to attend classes.

Course aims and objectives

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies has the following objectives for students to develop and demonstrate:

• specialised knowledge and critical understandings of a range of theoretical approaches used in early childhood education, particularly those relating to early childhood pedagogies, curriculum content and approaches
• a commitment to working with children, families and communities based on critical evaluation of issues related to diversity, social justice, equity principles and the commitment to promoting these in leadership and advocacy roles
• an understanding of current social, political and economic contexts, both national and international, and an understanding of the implications of these for early childhood education
• the ability to critically analyse, reflect upon, synthesise and evaluate current theories, approaches, pedagogies, policies and practices within early childhood in order to articulate a personal philosophy of early childhood education
• a developing competence in accessing, synthesising, critically evaluating and applying research approaches and outcomes;
• the capacity to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues and other professionals, within and across disciplines
• leadership skills appropriate to their educational context.

Additional requirements

• Criminal Record Clearance

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.