Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Research information
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Other learning experiences
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) course is a professionally accredited initial teacher education course that prepares graduates for employment in early childhood teaching, along with a range of other education-related fields.

The course includes core interdisciplinary curriculum and pedagogy subjects that focus on education birth to 5-years. As Australia is in the midst of significant growth in the early childhood education sector, the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) has been developed to address the increased demand for highly skilled and qualified early childhood educators. 

Professional recognition

This program has been approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an early childhood teaching qualification in Australia. In line with recent changes to early childhood teacher registration, it is also mapped against the Australian professional standards for graduate teachers. Graduates of this course who are intending to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate may be required to provide further information. Applicants are advised to check the registration requirements in their state, carefully.

Career opportunities

There is a strong demand for qualified teachers and graduate starting salaries for teachers are high compared to the graduate average. The increased demand for teachers has also resulted in improvements in teaching conditions, resources and career advancement opportunities. As a graduate of this course you may find employment as a teacher within the private or public education sectors. You might also find employment in a range of other education related fields including policy, consultancy, NGOs, research or community-based organisations (e.g. museums, outdoor education, arts institutions, etc.) 

For more information go to 'DeakinTALENT '

Participation requirements

Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements may be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Research information

This is a graduate entry teaching course that introduces research based practice throughout the core professional studies units (a total of six credit points), which includes demonstrating their application of knowledge and skills through their 70 days of professional practice in education based contexts e.g. early childhood settings. As part of the series of core professional studies units, students are also required to complete a capstone assessment in the final year (2 credit point unit) to demonstrate their evidence based professional practice informed by data analysis and scholarship of teaching and learning.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is typically 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money

To qualify for the award of Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), students must complete the following:

• 11 core units (12 credit points)
• A further 4 credit points in one of the following specialisations:

1. Early Childhood Education Inquiry
2. Internship
3. Research
4. International Baccalaureate Early Years (Primary Years Programme (PYP)) and

• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

This course includes 70 days of supervised professional experience, and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment.

Course structure

Core units

Course structure

Specialisations

Students complete the remaining four credit points from one of following specialisations

Early Childhood Education Inquiry

Internship

Research

International Baccalaureate Early Years (Primary Years Programme (PYP))

Professional Experience Placement

Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/.

All professional experience placements must be undertaken in an Australian school setting. Overseas placements are not permitted.

For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.

 Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

Experiences in community and school or early childhood settings are embedded in some curriculum units beyond the professional experience placements. Students are also encouraged to volunteer in these settings. Wherever possible, academic staff work alongside education professionals and preservice teachers in these authentic learning experiences.

Research and research-related study

Independent research and practitioner research and training components are embedded across a number of units. Preservice teachers are expected to apply an integrated, critical and advanced understanding of complex bodies of knowledge and research skills in education in their practice.