Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
Formalise and build on your early childhood education experience. This degree offers a recognised pathway to qualified work in the kindergarten.
About the Course
If you’re an early childhood educator, La Trobe's Bachelor of Early Childhood Education allows you to upgrade your qualification and take the next step in your career.
Enjoy flexible learning that's designed to fit around your work and personal commitments. The Bachelor of Early Childhood Education is delivered entirely online, using virtual classrooms and meeting spaces; video and webinars; online learning modules and mobile learning apps.
This four-year degree includes 180 credit points of advanced standing for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as relevant work experience. You’ll complete a further 300 credit points to gain the Bachelor’s qualification.
Build your skills and experience through supervised work-based learning (WBL) placements. You can also nominate to complete 50 per cent of the WBL component in your place of employment, subject to the centre meeting the supervision requirements.
Graduate ready to build your career in learning centres, kindergartens, preschools or early intervention programs.
Course Entry Requirements
Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Applicants must have a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent qualification. It is expected that applicants will be working in the field of early learning. If this is not the case, students may be required to seek additional employment opportunities.
Applicants must have a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or equivalent qualification to be eligible for admission into the course and credit to the value of 180 credit points will be applied towards the completion of the degree.
Course Structure
Recommended study pattern
Students who wish to enrol in a part time load are recommended to enrol in one subject per term. Please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook to review the full structure.
Students who are studying and want to take a break (minimum one study period) must submit a leave of absence covering the relevant dates.
Students who have been accepted in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) are required to complete the following 2 modules in their first term as a CSP student:
LTU0AIM Academic Integrity Module
ABS0WOM Wominjeka La Trobe: Indigenous Cultural Literacy for Higher Education
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, students must complete 32 subjects (480 credit points) as follows:
- 20 core subjects
- 12 core subjects (180 credit points of credit for completion of the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care or approved equivalent)
- Undertake a minimum of 80 days of professional practice in early learning centres and kindergartens during their studies.
Exit points
Upon completion of 240 credit points and compulsory placement obligations, students have the option to exit with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (EAECEO).
*Please note that if you are a past La Trobe student who has discontinued study, or if you have been absent without leave, you are not eligible to apply for an alternative exit retrospectively.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse research, policies and theories and apply to early childhood education practices.
- Apply theoretical and practical knowledge and skills relevant to early childhood education.
- Create dynamic programs and practices which reflect the diversity of complex early childhood education settings.
- Engage with contemporary issues to generate equitable and sustainable practices.
- Engage actively as ethical and professional agents of change.
- Apply relevant information and communication technologies to create innovative practices.
- Generate and apply inquiry based research to enhance learning.
