Postgraduate handbook 2004
Education

Graduate Diploma of Education
(Early Childhood)

Course code: 3201 + Peninsula + Program coordinator: Ms Marie Hammer (telephone (03) 9904 4291 for initial inquiries)

This course is designed to communicate both theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of early childhood education and teaching. Students should form a broad conceptual understanding of the field of education and will be expected to engage as active participants in both on-campus and off-campus components of the course.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for appointment as kindergarten teachers in pre-schools or childcare centres in Victoria. For interstate and overseas positions, applicants are advised to check with local authorities.

Admission requirements

Admission is open to graduates with an approved degree in primary teacher education or graduates with an approved degree. For overseas degrees, the faculty accepts assessments made by the Victorian Institute of Teaching, GPO Box 4367, Melbourne, Victoria 3001. Telephone (03) 9637 2000 or (03) 9616 9089 (international + 61 3 9637 2000 or + 61 3 9616 0989).

Applications

Applications are made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), telephone 1300 364 133 (except for international students who apply through Monash International). Application forms are available in the VTAC guide, which can be obtained from Victorian newsagents from August, or via the VTAC website at http://www.vtac.edu.au. Applications should be submitted to VTAC by the end of September (later applications may be accepted on payment of a late fee).

English language requirement for applicants through VTAC

University Test of English as a Second Language

In order to manage a teacher training course, and particularly to teach classes effectively on 10 weeks of teaching practice, applicants will need to have excellent communication skills in English and will need to provide evidence of this. Applicants who do not have a satisfactory result in English at Year 12 in Australia (including applicants with overseas qualifications), or who have not received an official exemption from the University Test of English as a Second Language (UTESL), must enrol for this written test of reading, writing and listening skills. Applicants who do not sit the test will not be considered for selection, unless they have an official exemption from UTESL.
Applications for exemption should be addressed in writing to English Exemptions, Faculty of Education, PO Box 6, Monash University, Victoria 3800, and should include evidence of English proficiency. Completion of all secondary and tertiary studies in full English medium in a country where English is an official language will generally be accepted as grounds for exemption. Attendance at English courses may not be regarded as adequate evidence. However, results on nationally or internationally recognised tests such as the IELTS-academic (a 7 is required for most teaching methods) and the TOEFL (only if accompanied by the essay test result or the TWE, with a minimum score of 600 and 4.5 TWE or 250 on the CBT) or the ASLPRs (a 4 is required) can be presented.
Further inquiries regarding English requirements and exemptions may be directed to english.exemptions@education,monash.edu.au. Note that inquiries and applications for exemption should be submitted by the 1 October for timely applicants and 1 November for late applicants. The requests will receive responses one week from each of these dates.
The Language Testing Research Centre conducts the test (UTESL) at the University of Melbourne. Testing will take place on a Saturday in late October and late November. For information about the test, and for a registration form, contact the Language Testing Research Centre, telephone (03) 8344 4389, fax (03) 8344 5163, or email ltrc-info@unimelb.edu.au.
Applicants who perform well on the UTESL, or who have received partial exemption, will be asked to attend an interview at the Faculty of Education, Clayton. Interviews are normally held in late November and in December. Applicants will be invited to attend in writing or by email, and an explanation of the interview will be provided. This interview tests oral communication skills in English.
Applicants do not need to submit a letter of exemption with their VTAC application. The institution of first preference, of which an applicant requests an exemption, will inform VTAC and all other institutions of their exemption and oral interview results (where applicable). This will occur in December in time for the selection in January.

English language requirement for international students

Refer to the Monash International Postgraduate Course Guide.

Course outline

The course comprises eight units in which the emphasis is on the underpinning theories pertinent to best practice in early childhood teaching and the development of a strong understanding of the theories of child development. The course will also emphasise the range of early childhood services and the social context of early childhood provision, as well as the need for flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of families and young children. In particular, the course will address the relationship between service provision and the families of young children. Graduates will be encouraged to develop flexible strategies to accommodate these needs and to recognise the importance of lifelong learning as a necessary component of their professional development. The course will also develop an understanding of the ethical requirements of early childhood teachers and the practical application of these requirements.

This is a conceptual outline only. It gives a general indication of how the course will progress and is subject to change without notice. Students should also consult their course coordinator to assist in planning their program. Check the current timetable for unit availability via the website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/current/timetables after 30 September.

Note - practicum placements

In order to satisfy the conditions of employment established by the Australian Early Childhood Association (Victorian Branch), students who enrol with approved degrees in fields other than primary education will be required to complete an additional 15 days of mandatory field experience. Such students will therefore complete 70 days of field experience placement rather than the base level of 55 days of placement. Students must normally be available to undertake their practicum placement on a full-time basis. While some placements may be completed at a site at which the student is employed, the remainder of the placement will need to be undertaken at a site(s) other than that at which they are employed.

Course length/workload required

This course consists of one year of full-time study taken on-campus. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48. The course may also be taken on a part-time basis.

Further information

For further information regarding this course, contact the Faculty of Education, Peninsula campus (telephone (03) 9904 4291) or visit http://www.education.monash.edu.au.

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