This industry-relevant postgraduate qualification is for students who have already completed a three-year bachelor degree and would like to increase their employment prospects with an early childhood qualification.

The curriculum is practical in nature, and is solely focused on the education of children from birth to eight years of age. Practical learning is a major component and you will complete four supervised placements in child care, preschool/kindergarten and junior primary schools, totalling 80 days.

* What you'll need

DCSI clearance

Students will be required to undertake a criminal history screening through the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). The clearance will be valid for three years. The criminal history screening must be completed prior to being accepted for a placement and can take up to six to eight weeks to be processed. Strict confidentiality is maintained during the DCSI clearance process. If a student fails to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity, which is a compulsory part of the degree and they cannot graduate with an education degree from the University.

Mandatory child-safe environments training

All education students who are completing any in-school or site (i.e. preschools and childcare settings) observations, activities or professional experience placements must undertake mandatory training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect prior to the commencement of the activities or placements. In South Australia, child protection legislation and policy require all organisations to establish and promote child safe environments. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect training is required of all individuals working with children and young people. All undergraduate students undertaking professional experience placements in South Australian government and non-government schools and preschools must provide documented evidence (i.e. a certificate) that shows they have completed all the required training from one of the providers mentioned on the following website.

First aid training

Students must complete and provide evidence of completion of Basic Emergency Life Support (DECD) or Applied First Aid before commencing the degree.

Literacy and Numeracy Test

All students must meet the required standard in the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) prior to graduation. Students will undertake the national literacy and numeracy tests during the first year of the degree. Students will be required to meet the standard of each test as a prerequisite for their final Professional Experience Placement course. The University will provide a range of supports for students who do not achieve the required standard in either the literacy or numeracy or both tests. Students will be allowed three attempts at each test. Any student who fails to meet the standard on three occasions in either the literacy or numeracy test will usually be counselled to transfer to an alternative degree.

What you'll learn

This degree has been designed to develop skilled, committed and flexible primary school educators.

The focus is on practical learning and you will gain the skills needed to teach across the core curriculum learning areas in schools from Reception to Year Seven. There are three major study areas:

• curriculum studies
• professional experience
• education studies

You will also study mandatory courses in:

• English
• mathematics
• science

Courses studied will include on-campus lectures and workshops; some courses will also be offered fully online or with online support. Learning will be supplemented with online lectures, learning activities, readings and discussion boards.

During the degree you will participate in 60 days of supervised placements.

Teachers have a passion for learning and a dedication to the social, emotional, physical and psychological development of children. Well-developed interpersonal skills, patience, as well as impeccable organisational and communication skills are key attributes of successful primary educators. The demand for teachers is high, and UniSA education degrees are ranked number one in the state for graduate employment1.

Careers to consider:

• primary teacher: develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives and facilitate classroom learning for children in reception to year seven
• junior primary teacher: develop lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives and facilitate classroom learning for children aged five to eight

1QILT Graduate Destinations 2014-2015 Full-time Employment Indicator and Australian Graduate Survey 2016

Professional accreditation and recognition

Successful completion of this program provides a recognised academic qualification which will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Applicants should note there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and other registration and regulatory authorities. Applicants are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.