Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)

at University of South Australia - Magill Campus Australia

This diploma is designed to complement your undergraduate qualification, increase your language skills in English, enhance employment opportunities, and ensure you have the global skills and understanding needed in today’s job market.

What you'll learn

You will undertake an in-depth study of the English Language (for domestic and international students with English as a home or additional language). This diploma develops your proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English, your understanding of the related culture and society, and offers experience in applying these in real-world situations.

Based at the Magill campus, this education degree offers Honours with a difference. Graduate ready to teach, with enhanced career opportunities and the added benefit of graduating with a professional Honours degree. You will graduate skilled, confident and ready to pursue your teaching career in early childhood or primary education (birth to 8 years of age).

This industry-relevant degree is a four-year professional degree solely focused on teaching, that will equip you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive as a contemporary teacher in childcare, preschool, and junior primary settings.

What you'll learn

The aim of this degree is to provide you with knowledge across a range of contexts. The learning is largely practically-based, and centres heavily on the principles and concepts relating to early childhood development and learning, as well as curriculum planning for learners aged from birth to eight years of age. The four key components of the curriculum include:

• Primary specialism
• Curriculum studies
• Professional experience
• Education studies

This degree is flexible and opens up a diverse range of career possibilities. You can start with one major, then upon entry choose a second specialisation from one of the following:

• Aboriginal Studies: Gain an understanding of the past and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal Peoples in Australia and internationally 
• Applied Linguistics: develop an in-depth understanding of human language through the integration of theoretical and applied perspectives, with a strong practical, community and industry focus
• Creative Writing and Literature: combine critical engagement with literary theory in a complementary exploration of creative writing techniques across a range of genres
• Cultural Studies: explore the complex and diverse economic, cultural, social, historical and political legacies that influence modern-day society
• History and Global Politics: explore the patterns and processes that have shaped societies over time and learn to analyse, understand and predict events in our contemporary world
• Languages (French/Italian/Japanese): develop the knowledge and skills to express yourself in a major world language in the context of linguistic and cultural diversity
• Law, Policy and Politics: explore legal systems, international and domestic law, the politics of environmental change and marginalisation in world affairs
• Psychology: develop a broad knowledge of psychological science including psychology, mental health, social services and human resources
• Sociology: develop the skills to identify trends and structures in society as they relate to social problems that emerge from cultural, political and economic change

As a student studying the History and Global Politics major you will develop an in-depth understanding of the patterns and processes that have shaped our societies over time and help you analyse and predict events in our contemporary world.

Key areas of study include:

• The politics of environmental change in Australia and Asia
• Framing global politics through film and documentaries
• Global politics and development
• World history trends
• Global power in the Indo-Pacific region
• Marginalisation in world affairs

What you'll learn

The History and Global Politics major will highlight the patterns and processes that have shaped our societies over time and help you to analyse and predict events in our contemporary world.

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 a teaching qualification specialising in primary education.

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

This degree provides a balance of courses in psychology theory and counselling – for graduates this means you will enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology, as well as the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

You will study a range of topics, including counselling and interpersonal skills; psychological theory; and specialist psychology courses. You will also be encouraged to engage in research projects and participate in community service activities, and through industry placements in your third year of study you will gain valuable practical experience. Practical learning is a key focus of this degree, it enhances your work-readiness. The value of this study component has been recognised nationally in the form of an award from the Australian Federal Government Office of Teaching and Learning.

What you'll learn

This is a specialised degree that will provide you with a solid understanding of the theory associated with psychology and counselling, as well as critical and analytical thinking skills, data management skills and research skills. You will study a range of courses that cover behavioural research methodologies, cognitive and technical skills and counselling practice.

You will apply your knowledge in a real-world environment when you complete an industry placement during your final year of study.

You will also have the opportunity to further explore specific areas of interest with a series of specialist psychology courses (these courses are subject to student demand and staff availability). The courses include:

• Advanced Research Methods
• Psychophysiology of Sleep
• Health Psychology
• Conservation Psychology
• Language, Context and Social Behaviour
• Work and Organisational Psychology

As a student studying the Sociology major you will investigate cultural, social and political trends and attain much sought-after skills in critical and creative thinking.

You will:

• Understand the complexities of contemporary social life, addressing social problems and examining issues of ethnicity, globalisation, popular culture and social movements
• Have developed both critical and creative thinking capabilities in order to identify trends, structures and social issues that emerge from cultural, political and economic change.
• Be able to undertake systematic methods of investigation and analysis of societal structures within professional contexts in order to contribute effectively to local, national and international initiatives.

What you'll Learn

This degree will explore social life, social change and social problems. You will develop an understanding of the complexities of contemporary social life; addressing social problems and examining issues of ethnicity, globalisation, popular culture and social movements.

You will develop the critical and creative thinking skills to identify trends, structures and social issues that emerge from cultural, political and economic change.

Skilled communicators are essential in every organisation and industry sector, and this adaptable degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan, develop and deliver communication activities across a range of platforms.

You will develop skills in:

• Writing and creating content for traditional and online media
• Analysing social media and its role in society
• Managing media and public relations
• Critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media.

What you Learn

You will learn how to write, plan, deliver and evaluate communication strategies that engage and inform target audiences using a range of media platforms. With a focus on communication for both traditional and online media, you'll study:

• Writing and content creation for traditional and online
• Social media strategy, engagement and content creation
• Critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media
• Communication and media research
• Media law and ethics
• Emerging trends

South Australia’s only cognitive neuroscience honours degree integrates biology and psychology, offering a unique opportunity for you to explore the neural underpinnings of human cognition and behaviour.

State-of-the-art learning facilities, including a cognitive neuroscience laboratory, Psychology Clinic and sleep and chronobiology laboratory, offer the opportunity for you to learn in a real-world environment. This practical learning environment will see you graduate with hands-on, practical skills and knowledge.

What you'll learn

Explore brain function and how it is impacted by social and developmental factors with this unique degree that combines biology and psychology. Core psychology courses, along with courses in cognitive neuroscience, anatomy and physiology, will make up the content during your first three years of study.

Many of these courses include a practical component. Research studies are also a key focus. During your third year you will also select from a number of psychology-specific professional development courses, which will complement the degree’s core content. These courses include:

• Health Psychology
• Work and Organisational Psychology
• Language, Context and Social Behaviour
• Conservation Psychology
• Psychophysiology of Sleep
• Psychological Assessment

What you'll learn

The key focus of the Honours degree is research and the production of a pure thesis or artefact-and-exegesis at the end of your studies. Your research could be based on one of the following subject areas:

• Australian Indigenous knowledge and Australian studies
• International relations, politics, peace and security studies, Asian studies, and international risk
• Applied linguistics and language studies
• Sociology, social work and social studies
• Communication, media and cultural studies, and public relations
• Professional and creative communication, including creative writing
• Literary studies
• Journalism, professional and technical writing
• Digital media studies
• Film and television production, screen studies and performing arts