For discerning education students looking to get ahead in their studies and careers, a little bit of Aussie ingenuity found at Charles Sturt University might be just what they’re looking for.
Located in Burlington, Ont., the school is not just the continuation of an outstanding tradition for learning with a strong international reputation, it’s the first Australian university campus to have a foothold in North America and it’s CSU’s first overseas campus.
Offering more than 500 programs to roughly 36,000 students across the world, Charles Sturt University is a publicly funded Australian institution that features Australian and Canadian faculty members as well as opportunities for study-abroad programs in either country.
The Burlington campus opened in 2005 offering a Bachelor of Primary Education Studies program. This year, the school is offering three new programs, a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s of International Education (School Leadership) and a brand-new MBA program from CSU’s Faculty of Business.
Will Letts, head of the school’s Ontario campus, says that in the years since the campus started operating, employers and administrators at schools across the country have praised CSU graduates for their skill and training.
“We often hear from teachers and administrators in schools that host our practicum students, and in schools that hire our graduates, about how pleased they are with our program and the calibre of our graduates,” Letts said.
CSU’s goal has always been to build and maintain the best primary and early childhood educator programs available to students.
”The Ontario experience is the latest manifestation of the University’s long-standing commitment to and excellence in creating innovative pathways that make options in higher education available to future professionals. We are leading the way in raising the professional standards of early childhood and pre-school educators in Ontario.”
CSU’s popular one-year Bachelor of Primary Education Studies program was developed in tandem with the Halton District and Catholic District school boards, something Letts says is a source of great pride for the school.
“Designing a program from scratch in partnership with the profession is a rare opportunity in your academic career.
“This program is state-of-the-art, based on international best practice, and is something for which the Faculty and Charles Sturt University are proud,” Letts said.
Situated near the shores of Lake Ontario, CSU offers students practical, hands-on courses of study outfitted with the latest wireless, audio-visual and Internet technologies that have resonated strongly with Ontario schools: Most programs at CSU sport at 100 per cent employment rate among graduates.
The school also partners its Early Childhood program with Sheridan and Mohawk colleges whereby students who complete related two-year diplomas at those colleges can receive full credits towards a four-year honours degree at CSU.
Offered this year, the Masters program in Education Leadership, developed through a partnership with the Ontario Principals’ Council, focuses on providing students with the skills and knowledge to become outstanding principals and school leaders in Ontario and internationally as well.
“School leaders today may act locally, but they look globally when working to solve problems and improve their practice. This degree aims to facilitate those processes,” Letts says.
