EDUCATION & SOCIAL WORK
Master of Education in Early Childhood (Online)
MEd in Early Childhood
Entry Requirements
Undergraduate degree in Education with a GPA/GPE of 5.0 or higher*
*If you do not have the required prior study, you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Early Childhood with a GPA of 5.0 or higher
Duration
Next Start Dates
2025
- Semester 1:
3 March (Applications close 17 February)
- Semester 2:
21 July (Applications close 7 July)
Full Programme Fees
Admission is subject to regulatory approval. For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.
Programme Overview:
Embark on your journey into the thriving sector of early childhood, a field calling for highly qualified individuals to drive progress and positive change in diverse services for tamariki and their whānau. The Early Childhood specialisation in the Master of Education ensures you will cultivate advanced expertise in psychology, leadership, child development, pedagogy, and contemporary perspectives on child development.
The Master of Education (MEd) specialised in Early Childhood is designed specifically for early childhood educators, leaders, play and curriculum specialists, as well as dedicated professionals in other related disciplines.
As a MEd in Early Childhood student, you will be equipped with multidisciplinary knowledge and expertise, critical thinking skills, and the ability to advocate for diverse communities and stakeholders. This programme will empower you to seamlessly navigate a diverse spectrum of early childhood practice concepts, you will be sought after in different professional sectors and at world-ranked universities looking for promising doctoral candidates.
To meet the requirements of the Master of Education specialised in Early Childhood, the following six courses have been carefully selected to maximise your learning experience. Each course is taught across a 12-week Semester, entailing interactive online course engagement, as well as self-directed online learning. You will take one course at a time, and complete the programme in three years, all while you can continue to work.
Course Code |
Course |
Description |
Points |
| EDUC 713 | Global Childhoods | Critically investigates existing and emerging problems in the field of global childhoods. Using theoretical perspectives at the forefront of critical childhood studies and early childhood education, this course develops highly specialised knowledge addressing questions such as: How are concepts, such as sustainability, technology, media, and pandemic, affecting concepts of childhoods? How do global childhoods impact on curriculum, pedagogy and education? | 30 |
| EDUC 742 | Child Development Psychology* | An advanced examination of theory and research in selected topics in child development. | 30 |
| EDUC 767 | Childhood Studies | An advanced study of childhood from a range of perspectives using interdisciplinary approaches of pedagogy, sociology, philosophy, psychology and other disciplines. Independent critical engagement with theories and constructs related to practices across a range of social sciences and humanities will provide students with specialist knowledge and skills to liaise with and inform key agencies of specific issues within the field. | 30 |
| EDPROF 709 | Early Childhood Leadership | A practice-focused course that introduces and critiques leadership theory and research in order to examine leadership beliefs and attitudes. Advanced examination of leadership in early childhood education from a range of perspectives. Will develop and strengthen leadership practices to improve outcomes for children, families and whānau. | 30 |
| EDPROFST 716 | Early Years Pedagogy | Critically examines pedagogy in the early years. How do theory and research inform pedagogy that enables effective learning in the early years? What is the relationship between pedagogy and effective teaching in the early years? What sort of teaching prepares very young children for life’s challenges and life-long learning? In what ways might early years pedagogy take into account an increasingly complex and diverse world? | 30 |
| EDPROFST 751 | Early Childhood Curriculum* | An educational curriculum negotiates social, political, educational and interdisciplinary ideas and theories. Critically examines influences on curriculum pertinent to pedagogical leadership in contemporary early childhood education. What perspectives of children, families and teachers are represented? How do these perspectives privilege particular outcomes? How does practitioner inquiry into curriculum issues underpin and improve practices? Requires the completion of independent research-focused assignments. | 30 |
As a graduate of the online Master of Education in Early Childhood, you will be able to:
- Master and apply a body of multidisciplinary knowledge, including a high level and in-depth understanding of theories and practices, particularly pertaining to early childhood
- Demonstrate critical, conceptual and reflective thinking that includes the ability to synthesise understandings from multidisciplinary theoretical perspectives on early childhood.
- Effectively support, engage and include diverse learners within various teaching and learning contexts within education and related fields.
- Identify, analyse, and generate fluid and flexible solutions to complex and uncertain multidisciplinary issues experienced by children.
- Use academic conventions coherently to organise and express ideas, and communicate appropriately with diverse individuals and groups.
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to promoting and advocating for Te Ao Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and using culturally responsive practices to embrace difference and diversity.
- Build collaborative relationships to work with children, colleagues, parents and whānau, and other professionals, to engage in constructive and academic argumentation and critical debate regarding complex and difficult topics.
- Build confidence, capacity and capability to work and think independently, and take personal responsibility for ongoing, autonomous, and self-regulated learning.
Where could the Master of Education in Early Childhood take you?
As a graduate of the MEd in Early Childhood programme, you would be well equipped with a set of comprehensive skills that will open doors to a multitude of rewarding career paths within the field of early childhood education. By engaging in coursework and research, you will be able to seize the chance to enrich your own work and empower your workplace.
Jobs related to this programme
- Early childhood teacher
- Early childhood centre manager
- Early childhood curriculum specialist or pedagogical leader
- Early years policy maker
- Health professional with a focus on early childhood
- Social worker engaged with whānau and tamariki
- Psychologist specialising in early childhood
- Experienced play specialist
*Our programme Advisors will provide all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, course fees, examinations and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates as per the University Calendar. Please note that the programme fees are indicative and estimates only. Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
Master of Education in Early Childhood – Enquiry Form
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