Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years) [Post-Service Course] at Charles Sturt University

Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years) BTeach(Bth-5yrs)

CSU’s Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years) course is designed for Diploma in Children’s Services' graduates (from registered training organisations) with a view to building on their previous training and experience.

Graduate Entry

The Faculty of Education’s Graduate Entry courses are pre-service teaching qualifications. Eligibility for entry is dependent upon a prior tertiary qualification - the nature of which is determined by specific admission criteria for each course. Graduate Entry courses provide initial teaching training qualifications at the undergraduate level in various areas such as Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Teaching.

About the course

Link to: Frequently asked questions

All candidates will be granted two years' credit in recognition of their existing diploma qualifications.

On completion of the course, graduates will acquire an industry recognised qualification in teaching, including leadership and management that will enable them to carry out these roles in prior-to-school early childhood services.

Professional experience

The course includes a Professional Experience Placement which is embedded in the subject EPT308 Windows to the Community. The Professional Experience Placement CAN NOT be completed at your current workplace. The placement is a minimum of 20 days, which is sufficient to meet NSW Department of Community Services (DoCs) accreditation requirements. The placement can be completed for a longer period to meet accreditation requirements in other jurisdictions. In Victoria, the Victorian Qualifications Committee (ECA) requires completion of 45 days' Professional Experience of which 20 days must be in an under two-year old setting.

Inquiries about qualifications required in each state/territory should be directed to the appropriate employing body in your state/territory.

Credit for previous study

Holders of Diploma of Children’s Services Associate Diploma in Social Science (Child Studies), Diploma in Children’s Services Centre-based Care will be granted two years' credit (eight sessions part-time) towards completion of this course.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 192 points. All students receive block credit of 128 points based on prior qualifications, and must then complete 8 subjects.

Additional requirements

Refer to the Additional requirements section for information on:

Literacy requirement
Criminal Record Clearance

Frequently asked questions

1. What qualifications and experience are required for entry to the course?
The course is designed for early childhood diploma course graduates (from TAFE or other recognised training organisations). Candidates will have completed at least a two-year full-time course.
As candidates will be granted two years' credit in recognition of their existing qualifications in the birth to five years area, anyone applying with different qualifications will need to prove that they have completed equivalent study in the area.

2. Are there any on campus classes?
There are no on campus requirements.

3. Are there exams?
There may be exams in some subjects.

4. Are there practicums/professional experiences involved in the course?
Please note: this is a course for a teaching degree. All students will complete a practicum that is embedded in the subject EPT308 Windows to the Community. The length of the professional experience, appropriate placement, appropriate mentors and timing will all be negotiated on an individual basis. The practicum may be up to 45* days in length.

*The Victorian Qualifications Committee (ECA) requires students to complete 45 days of practicum out of their workplace, including 20 days in an under two-year old setting.

5. Am I able to gain credit for other study I have done?
No additional credit will be granted as each student in this course is given the two-year standard credit package in a three-year program. Any additional study will be viewed positively in the process of offering the limited number of places available in a very popular course.

6. How do students receive study materials?
Students receive a print package for each subject by the beginning of each semester. The packages may vary slightly but will usually include a subject outline, study guide and readings. In addition, subjects have online support that also varies from one subject to another.

7. What is a regular semester workload? How much time will I need to study each week?
As part-time students you will complete two subjects per semester. It is possible to vary this pattern in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
The course entails completion of eight subjects. Following a regular pattern of study you will complete these over a two-year period. All students have different ways of studying and different approaches to learning. A couple of hours every day or one day per week on study are possible scenarios for meeting the workload requirements.

8. What is the qualification that I gain?
Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years).
It is a three-year teaching degree in the prior to school area.