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.

Workplace learning

The aim of the professional experience component of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program is to enable students to put into practice advanced knowledge and skills developed through the program and to reflect critically on their practice and the knowledge that informs it. This approach is designed to facilitate the development of a community of practice within the University program and beyond, and provide a model that students may continue to work with following graduation. It sets up an initial local community of practice with the potential for graduates as expert practitioners and critically reflective professionals to be members of a much broader community of practice in provincial, national and international settings.
                            
There are two professional experience placements in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program. The first is associated with the course Communities as Contexts for Professional Practice and will be undertaken in Term 1 of the second year. The experience period is 21 days in duration and specific arrangements will be made with the site.

This professional experience will be undertaken in an early childhood service where students will be able to work directly or indirectly with children, families and the community in which the service is located. For example, regulated and/or licensed full-day and half-day child care, nursery schools, early years programs and junior / senior kindergarten.

The second professional experience is associated with the course Leadership in Early Childhood Education and will be undertaken in Term 2 of the second year of the program. The experience period is 20 days in duration and specific arrangements will be made with the site.

This professional experience will be undertaken in an early childhood setting where students will be able to take on a leadership role which could include the types of services listed above. Other possibilities include resource centres, research centres, private home child care agencies, colleges and government agencies.

Alternative models for either professional experience may be negotiated with individual students and services to meet the needs of part-time employed students in the program.

N.B. Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences.

Criminal Record Check 

Students may be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put children’s personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check  may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a program and/or employment opportunities after completing the program.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Program Director.

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).

Credit

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies will normally be awarded 96 transfer credit points (two years) for their Diploma in Early Childhood Educationtowards the degree.

More information about credit and pathways.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies consists of the equivalent of 32 courses, made up of core and electives, allowing students to have flexibility within their degree, depending on their field of interest.

Core courses - 128 points
EEP305 Multiple Understandings
EMC305 Investigation: Mathematics, Science and Technology
EEP304 Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education
EMH302 Pedagogy of Relationships
EMT302 Understanding and Using New Technologies
EEB309 Wellness and Wellbeing
EER413 Research and Practice in Early Childhood Education
EMA305 Thinking and Learning through the Arts in Early Childhood
EML307 Language and Communication
EPT318 Communities as Contexts for Professional Practice (double course)
ESS424 Early Intervention and Inclusion
EEP417 Rights of the Child
EER412 Issues in Early Childhood Education
EPT428 Leadership in Early Childhood Education (double course)

Electives - 32 points

Four elective courses are to be chosen from outside the discipline of education. These will be selected from a range of CSU courses available by distance education through the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Business.

Distance education courses at CSU are delivered in a multi-mode form. This will involve a range of delivery mechanisms, such as mail packages and hard copy study materials: course outline, study guide, modules, readings, CD-ROM; and online materials. Students can choose from the full range of undergraduate distance education courses (subjects) from the CSU Handbook, provided they meet prerequisites that may apply for courses at Level 2 or above.

Suggested CSU courses available by distance education mode include:
BIO100 Concepts of Biology
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
LES101 Introduction to Leisure and Health
MKT110 Marketing Principles
HST210 Media and Society in the Twentieth Century

Elective courses can also be taken from McMaster University.

Enrolment pattern

Term 1 (Trimester 3)
EEP305 Multiple Understandings
EMC305 Investigation: Mathematics, Science and Technology
EEP304 Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education
EMH302 Pedagogy of Relationships
EMT302 Understanding and Using New Technologies

Term 2 (Trimester 1)
EEB309 Wellness and Wellbeing
EER413 Research and Practice in Early Childhood Education
EMA305 Thinking and Learning through the Arts in Early Childhood
EML307 Language and Communication
[          ] Elective

Term 3 (Trimester 3)
EPT318 Communities as Contexts for Professional Practice (double course)
ESS424 Early Intervention and Inclusion
[          ] Elective
[          ] Elective

Term 4 (Trimester 1)
EEP417 Rights of the Child
EER412 Issues in Early Childhood Education
EPT428 Leadership in Early Childhood Education (double course)
[          ] Elective

Admission requirements

Canadian students who have completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) at an accredited Ontario college, and have an average in the low to mid 70s / B or B+, are eligible to apply.

Official transcripts need to be sent directly from the diploma granting institution to our campus in Burlington.

Additional requirements may be used to determine final selection including:

• experience in the early childhood field since completion of ECE diploma
• written personal statement addressing two questions

A description of these additional requirements is available via the Application process link on the CSU Ontario School of Education's Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies webpage.

Laptop requirement

Students accepted into the program will be required to have a laptop computer with a wireless internet connection. The following specifications are preferred:

• Windows or Apple based laptop

• • Windows based laptop running Windows 7 (32 bit or 64 bit), Windows Vista (any version) or Windows XP (any version). Previous versions of Windows are not supported.

  • Apple OSX (or better)

• Wireless built in (802.11g -54Mbs or better)or wireless usb/pcmcia card (802.11g -54Mbs or better)

• Office Productivity suite with ability to save documents in Microsoft .doc/.xls/.ppt or later formats (students will need to purchase)

• Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 2 or better (free on web)

• Anti Virus software (any reputable product or AVG (free on web))

• Adobe Acrobat reader (free on web)

• Printer Driver for CSU printer (provided during orientation program)

The following are recommended, but not essential:

• CD-ROM

• USB Ports

• Ethernet port  

Cost of study

Ontario students

CAD$1,680 per course

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Term 1; Term 2

Ontario students

When applying online, prospective students should select the "11 CSU Ontario Undergrad" application type and note the admission code shown below.

Guide to using CSU Apply Online for CSU Ontario programs. [PDF]

Apply online

Admission code: Full-time on campus - IECS
Part-time on campus - IECT

Apply online