2015 Course Enrolment Guide Faculty of and Arts National Master of Early Childhood (Students Commencing in 2015) (Australian Children's and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) approved ) Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Students should note that Course Enrolment Guides are updated regularly. Check the website for the latest updates. This Guide is provided to assist you to select your units for the 2015 academic year. Specific information regarding unit outlines, assessments or content will be provided by your Faculty/School. Course Coordinators and/or Course Advisors will be available to assist with enrolment and re-enrolment. You can telephone, email or contact them in person to make an appointment. Contact Details: Course Enquiries Dr Valerie Margrain Phone: (03) 9952 3368 Email: Valerie.Margrain@acu.edu.au Course Administration Graduate Studies Unit: E-mail: feapg@acu.edu.au
Table of Contents 1. How to use this Guide... 2 2. Program Map Master of Early Childhood... 3 Program Map: Religious / Theology Units... 3 3. Unit Offerings in 2015... 6 4. Program Information... 8 5. Enrolment... 9 6. Course Completions... 10 1. How to use this Guide This Course Enrolment Guide 2015 provides you with information on when and where the units available for study in this program(s) will be offered in 2015. Enrolling in units for 2015 1. Read Section 2. Program Maps for information on course structure and unit sequence. Take note of any prerequisite or co-requisite requirements before selecting particular units. Take note of the study period in which units are offered. A prerequisite is a requirement that must be met by a student before enrolment in a stipulated unit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the prerequisites for a unit prior to enrolling into that unit. A co-requisite is a requirement that must be met by having already passed or being concurrently enrolled in an associated unit in order to be able to enrol in the stipulated unit. If you wish to enrol into a unit for which you have not met the prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, please obtain approval from your Course Coordinator. 2. Refer to Section 3. Units Offerings in 2015 to select your Elective units. 3. Refer to Section 4. Program Information for further information on course structure and requirements. 4. You must refer to Administration & Enrolment on the ACU website (http://students.acu.edu.au/332297) for information on how to complete your enrolment via Student Connect. Administration & Enrolment also provides detailed information on managing your studies. 5. Log on to Student Connect and enrol (http://students.acu.edu.au/136953). Student Connect is a web interface allowing students to complete their ACU enrolment online. IMPORTANT NOTE Failure to enrol or re-enrol before the published due dates for re-enrolment on the ACU website (http://students.acu.edu.au/381148) may result in late fee penalties. Even if you are unsure of what units you need to enrol in, please ensure that you enrol or re-enrol in at least one unit before the due date. Enrolling in at least one unit by the due date will enable you to add further units, or amend your enrolment via Student Connect up until the final dates published in the Critical Dates for Variation of Enrolment on the ACU website (http://students.acu.edu.au/273880). Turnitin The Faculty of and Arts values students academic honesty and integrity. It employs a range of processes and technologies to support students to ensure their work aligns with University s Academic Honesty Policy and Framework for Academic Integrity. Turnitin, now available at ACU, is an online originality checker and is an educative tool for students. It allows students to preview their work and identify originality prior to handing in assessment items. To review the University Academic Honesty Policy please go to https://students.acu.edu.au/640585 Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 2
2. Program Map Master of Early Childhood All units are offered in online mode. Total Credit Points 120 Option : Three s, 18 months completion Year (1 st of 3 Winter Term Two Year (2 nd of 3 Summer Term Year Two (3 rd of 3 EDFD671 Understanding Childhood Development and Learning in the Socio-Cultural Context of the EDFD672 Children s Rights Graduate Professional Experience 1A: Birth to Two Years EDFD673 Reconceptualising Childhood and Pedagogy in the EDFD675 Leadership and Management in EDRS604 Overview of al Research EDFX667 Graduate Professional Experience 2A (Three to Five Years) 20 days Prerequisite EDAR660 Arts and Meaning Making in the Early Years EDPH660 Health, Wellbeing and Physical in the EDAC660 Inclusive for Young Children and Families EDRS660 Capstone Applied Project: Action Research for Early Childhood Professionals (including 5 days in research site) (20 cp) Option Two: Consecutive s, 12 months completion Winter Term Two Summer Term EDFD671 Understanding Childhood Development & Learning in the Socio- Cultural Context of the (10cp) EDAR660 Arts and Meaning Making in the EDPH660 Health, Wellbeing and Physical in the Graduate Professional Experience 1A: Birth to Two Years EDFD673 Reconceptualising Childhood and Pedagogy in the Early Years EDFD675 Leadership and Management in EDFX667 Graduate Professional Experience 2A (Three to Five Years) 20 days Prerequisite EDAC660 Inclusive for Young Children and Families EDFD672 Children s Rights EDRS604 Overview of al Research EDRS660 Capstone Applied Project: Action Research for Early Childhood Professionals (including 5 days in research site) (20 cp) + Students are advised to complete EDFD671 as a pre- or co-requisite to EDFX661 Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 3
Program Map: Master of Early Childhood / Graduate Certificate in Religious Option : Three s, 18 months completion Year (1 st of 3 Two Year (2 nd of 3 Year Two (3 rd of 3 EDFD671 Understanding Childhood Development and Learning in the Socio-Cultural Context of the (10cp) EDFD673 Reconceptualising Childhood and Pedagogy in the EDAR660 Arts and Meaning Making in the EDFD672 Children s Rights EDFD675 Leadership and Management in EDPH660 Health, Wellbeing and Physical in the EDRS604 Overview of al Research EDRS660 Capstone Applied Project: Action Research for Early Childhood Professionals (including 5 days in research site) (20 cp) Graduate Professional Experience 1A: Birth to Two Years EDAC660 Inclusive for Young Children and Families EDFX667 Graduate Professional Experience 2A (Three to Five Years) 20 days Prerequisite EDRE515 Religious : Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (10 cp) EDRE516 Teaching and Learning for Religious THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith (10 cp) THBS501 Biblical Studies (10 cp) Two Summer Option Two: Consecutive s, 12 months completion EDFD671 Understanding Childhood Development & Learning in the Socio-Cultural Context of the (10cp) EDFD673 Reconceptualising Childhood and Pedagogy in the EDFX667 Graduate Professional Experience 2A (Three to Five Years) 20 days Prerequisite EDAR660 Arts and Meaning Making in the Early Years EDFD675 Leadership and Management in Early Years EDPH660 Health, Wellbeing and Physical in the EDFD672 Children s Rights EDAC660 EDRS604 Inclusive for Overview of al Young Children and Research Families EDRS660 Capstone Applied Project: Action Research for Early Childhood Professionals (including 5 days in research site) (20 cp) EDRE515 Religious : Historical and Contemporar y Perspectives THBS501 Biblical Studies (10 cp) EDRE516 Teaching and Learning for Religious THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 4
~ Note students completing the Graduate Certificate in Religious should check the course enrolment guide available at https://students.acu.edu.au/643146. Some units are available in summer and winter semesters, and face to face option. Students should be aware that completion of courses concurrently is highly intensive. Graduate Certificate in Religious All teachers seeking permanent employment in Catholic primary schools are expected to be able to teach Religious. Students should concurrently enroll in the 40 credit point Graduate Certificate in Religious which meets the minimum requirements to teach Religious in Catholic schools. The Graduate Certificate in Religious also permits teachers to satisfy requirements for teaching religious education in Anglican schools. In Victoria, students should complete the following units: EDRE515 Religious : Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, EDRE516 Teaching and Learning for Religious (which includes sacramental education); THBS501 Biblical Studies and THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith (which also includes a module of sacramental theology). In Queensland, the ACT and NSW students should complete EDRE515 Principles of Religious ; EDRE524 Religious and the Young Child; THBS501 Biblical Studies and THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith. Students who wish to teach religious education in Anglican schools may complete the Graduate Certificate in Religious. In some dioceses, the Anglican Schools Commission, in conjunction with their College of Theology, provide alternate units for THBS501 Biblical Studies and THCT500 Foundations of Christian Faith. Students interested in pursuing this pathway should contact the National Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Religious at ACU and seek approval for alternate units before enrolling at the theological college. Students who wish to complete the requirements for teaching in Lutheran schools must register and enrol with Australian Lutheran College as well as with Australian Catholic University. The following Australian Lutheran College units will both complete a Graduate Certificate in Religious and assist students towards accreditation to teach in Lutheran schools: BS0001L Exploring the Bible, CT1002L The Christian Faith, DE1007L Principles and Context of Lutheran Schooling and DE1012L The Practice of Lutheran. Students wishing to teach in Lutheran schools should contact the Australian Lutheran College directly. Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 5
3. Unit Offerings in 2015 (NOTE: amendments may be made to unit availability depending on student demand.) ALL UNITS ARE OFFERED IN ONLINE MODE with opportunities for some face-to-face contact where there are appropriate and viable clusters of students. Professional experience will be undertaken in local Australian kindergartens and early childhood services. SEMESTER 1 (Units will be offered subject to sufficient numbers) Unit Code EDAR660 EDFD671 Unit Title Arts as Meaning Making in the Early Years (Arts as Meaning Making in EY) Understanding Childhood Development and Learning in the Socio-Cultural Context of the + (Und Child Dev&Learn Soc-Cul EY) Delivery Mode EDFD672 Children s Rights EDPH660 Graduate Professional Experience 1A (Birth Two Years) (Graduate Prof Exp 1 (Birth-3) Health, Wellbeing and Physical in the (Health, Wellbeing & PD in EY) plus local practicum placement must be completed in Australia (20 days) + Students are advised to complete EDFD671 as a pre- or co-requisite to SEMESTER 2 (Units will be offered subject to sufficient numbers) Unit Code EDAC660 EDFD673 EDFD675 EDFD677 Unit Title Inclusive for Young Children and Families (Incl Ed Young Children & Famil) Reconceptualising Childhood and Pedagogy in the (Rec ept Childhood&Pedagogy EY) Leadership and Management in Early Years (Leadership & Management EY Ed) Research as Reflective Practice for Professional (Res Refl Prac EY Prof) Location - Delivery Mode (Prerequisite Co-requisite EDFX667) Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 6
Unit Code EDFX667 Unit Title Graduate Professional Experience 2A (3-5 Years) Location - Delivery Mode plus local practicum placement must be completed in Australia (20 days) (Prerequisite Co-requisite EDFD677) Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 7
4. Program Information General Course Information The Master of Early Childhood is a 120 credit point course designed as an early childhood specialisation for applicants with an appropriate undergraduate teacher education degree. It will have two professional experience placements (PEP) and will draw from the existing units in the Master of Teaching (). The course aims to offer a program of study that: 1. Develops critical knowledge and understandings of contemporary theories, research, discourse and practice in teaching, learning and participation in early childhood education, birth to five years 2. Provides access to high quality sequential professional experiences including prior-to-school settings 3. Imbues a strong sense of social and cultural justice and ethical and moral practice All units are 10 credit points each except for EDRS660 Capstone Applied Project: Action Research for Professionals (20 credit points). Students must complete 11 compulsory units including the Graduate Professional Experience Program. Please note: The Master of Early Childhood meets the requirements to be added to the Australian Children s and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), approved list of early childhood teaching qualifications. Course accreditation does not guarantee registration and/or employment. To be eligible for registration and/or employment students should complete any additional requirements outlined by the registering/employment authorities Professional Experience: During your course you will complete at least 40 days of supervised practicum A National Professional Experience Program [PEP] Coordinator will oversee all placement policies and processes to support PEP across campuses and geographic regions. Specific placements will be supported by University Supervisors with expertise relevant to the placement who will provide immediate and timely support for students undertaking the PEP. A National Placement Officer will work with campus based Professional Experience Officers in each campus of the Faculty of to facilitate placements and a national online process will support those students who do not live near an ACU campus. Arrangements for the supervision of the professional experiences will also be required for remotely located students. Placements will be in kindergartens and early childhood services where the preservice teacher has no prior experience or association (e.g. employed part time, has relatives within the service). Placements can only be arranged at the times noted on the University calendar, in Australian settings, and cannot be undertaken on a part time basis. All preservice teachers are encouraged to undertake country placements during their course. Visit the professional experience unit ( or EDFX667) LEO site to find all relevant information and documents. InPlace - Placement Management System for Students The Faculty of and Arts at Australian Catholic University (ACU) uses InPlace, a placement management system which streamlines registration, requests, and allocation of professional and community engagement placements. InPlace will provide education students with greater access to information relating to their Professional Experience placements. Students enrolling in Professional Experience units, with an EDFX, ADFX and SDFX code, will be able to register and access allocated placement records online. Key benefits from InPlace include: registration for placements Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 8
Ease in updating professional/community placement information Ability to receive placement notifications online Access placement allocations online InPlace is based on Student Connect data. You will no longer have to fill forms manually for placements. In order that best match placements are made, please ensure that your personal details, including address and mobile phone number is current and up to date in Student Connect. To update your details log on to Student Connect (http://students.acu.edu.au/136953). Additional Requirements Working With Children Check and National Police Check All preservice student teachers must apply for and obtain a state-equivalent Working With Children Check and students in VIC and NSW must also obtain a National Police Check before they will be permitted to participate in the Professional Experience Program. There are no exceptions to this requirement and no preservice teacher will be placed in an early childhood service without a valid Working With Children Check and National Police Check. Australian students who have lived in another country for 12 months or more must provide a police check from that country for that period. Preservice student teachers must check the relevant unit on LEO to obtain details regarding applications. It is the preservice student teacher s responsibility to submit the application forms and, upon receiving the Working With Children Check and National Police Check, submit both to the Graduate Studies Unit fea.gsuplacements@acu.edu.au by the census date. The checks will be placed in the preservice student teacher s professional experience file. Preservice Student Teachers must carry the WWC and National Police Check every time they visit an early childhood service or work with children as part of their University course. International students must obtain and present their relevant police check from their home country and from any other country/ies where they have been domiciled for twelve months or more for the last ten years. These police checks must be authenticated by the Graduate Studies Unit fea.gsuplacements@acu.edu.au before preservice teachers will be permitted to undertake any professional experience in early childhood services. Requirements to Complete Award For information on the duration of your course, and the requirements to complete your award, please refer to the Course Rules for your program. Course Title Master of Early Childhood Course Rules http://students.acu.edu.au/643230 For information on Unit Descriptions, please refer to the ACU Handbook on the ACU website (https://students.acu.edu.au/626085). Please select the appropriate Handbook, and then select Unit Descriptions. Delivery Modes: Attendance Primarily attendance, either face-to-face or via video conference, at an ACU campus or another location Multi-mode Some online with a compulsory attendance component (including examinations, practicums, residential etc.) Fully online (including assessments) 5. Enrolment Now that you have read your Course Enrolment Guide, you can enrol in units online for the 2015 Academic Year, using Student Connect (http://students.acu.edu.au/136953). For more information about the enrolment processes for both new and continuing students, please refer to the guides provided. Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 9
Students please note: The course enrolment guides are subject to change. Please check regularly for updates to your course information. If you require any academic advice, please contact your course coordinator. For any other enquiries, please contact your local Student Centre. (http://students.acu.edu.au/42835). 6. Course Completions Students completing the final semester of their course are required to complete an Application to Course Complete (ACC) form (visit Enrolment Forms http://students.acu.edu.au/154918) in order to be assessed for course completion. Information last updated on 29 October 2014 Page 10