BEd Early Childhood Development and Family Studies

The BEd in Early Childhood Development and Family Studies is a new programme developed for delivery by the Open Campus. It is conducted over three years of full-time study with a total of 90 credits or 1170 hours. This prorgamme is designed to equip professionals within the Commonwealth Caribbean countries with the requisite knowledge and skills to work effectively with young children and their families from birth through eight years of age. The teaching and learning in this programme is designed to support digital literacy and students will be encouraged to share knowledge and practices within the region. The course will also make connections with international perspectives on early childhood development, giving students the opportunity to learn about how other countries support children and their families within their society. The programme provides a flexible framework online and will include both asynchronous and synchronous forms of interaction.

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Our programme is suitable for those seeking to obtain a first degree in early childhood development and family studies, including graduates with a certificate or associate degrees in early childhood education. We also welcome students who wish to pursue this as a career path even with no experience of working with young children and their families.

Courses are delivered online and students must have access to a computer and the Internet. Online orientation is conducted before the start of the programme.

Learners complete a total of 90 credits normally equivalent to 30 courses. Learners explore general education and core courses in a number of areas including:
• English for Academic Purposes
• History & Philosophy of Early Childhood Development
• Understanding Behaviors
• Child Growth and Development
• Health, Safety & Nutrition
• Child Rights & Protection Issues
• Diversity, Leadership and Management
• Literacy, Numeracy and Science in Early Childhood
 

Students may start this programme in August of the academic year.

Applicants should meet normal or lower matriculation AND have an acceptable pass in CXC-CSEC (General Proficiency) Mathematics or its equivalent.

Normal Level

An acceptable pass in English A in an examination of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC-CSEC), or an acceptable equivalent AND one of the following minimum qualifications:

 1.     Holders of CXC-CSEC Certificates, General Certificates of Education (GCE) (or the approved

         equivalents) who satisfy either Scheme A or Scheme B as stated below:

        Scheme A: They possess FIVE (5) subjects of which at least TWO (2) must be GCE

                      Advanced  Level (A’ Level)* passes, while the remainder may be acceptable passes

                      in the CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations. 

                     Scheme B: They possess passes in FOUR (4) subjects of which at least THREE must

                     be GCE A’ Level** passes, while the fourth may be an acceptable pass in the

                     CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level examinations.

2.      Holders of Certificates and Diplomas awarded by this University

3.      Holders of an Associate Degree from the UWI, or from approved Caribbean tertiary level

         institutions with a minimum GPA of 2.5 

         *        Candidates who have passed two two-unit courses in a particular subject area fall

                   within the two A’ Level matriculation standard (Reference Scheme A). 

         **      Six CAPE units, including the two single-unit courses – Caribbean Studies and

                  Communication Studies will be accepted under normal matriculation

                  (Reference Scheme B)

Lower Level

The following are eligible for lower level matriculation for admission to degree programmes:

1.           Holders of five (5) CXC-CSEC or GCE O’ Level passes or equivalent, not necessarily

               obtained at the same sitting, as follows:

              (i)          English (A), and

              (ii)         Mathematics or a foreign language, or an approved science (not Health Science), or

                            additional Mathematics or Geography

              (iii)        Three (3) other approved subjects not already counted above. 

2.           Persons over the age of 21, who have been out of school for at least five years, on the basis

              of their overall academic and professional attainments. 

3.           Holders of one of the approved certificates from the School of Continuing Studies with an

              acceptable pass in English Language

NOTE:  The same subject cannot be counted at both CXC-CSEC General Proficiency and GCE O’ Level.

The English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) is used to assess whether persons applying to pursue

undergraduate degree programmes at the UWI Open Campus possess a satisfactory level of writing

and reading proficiency in English for university academic purposes. For detailed information on the

ELPT, see English Language Proficiency Test.

OOL1001 Orientation to Online
IYRS1001 Improving your Reading Skills
IYSS1001 Improving your Study Skills
IYMS1001 Improving your Math Skills (if applicable)
ECON0001 Remedial Mathematics (if applicable)
 

ATTENTION: Students taking ECFS1007

Please complete and submit the forms below before you register for ECFS1007 - Practicum 1
1. The Health Assessment Form to be completed by a registered physician in your country.
2. The In case of Emergency Form, which includes information on whom to contact in case of an emergency at a practicum Site
3. The Practicum Handbook; which provides specific guidelines to follow during the practicum experience

ATTENTION: Students taking ECFS2003

See attached Guidelines for Practicum 2