Master of Education (Early Childhood)

School of Education

Are you a career-focused educator with practical experience and an interest in early childhood education? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Master of Education (Early Childhood) will expand your career choices and allow you to cultivate in-depth knowledge of teaching children from 0 – 8  in the early years. With flexible study options, this one-year postgraduate degree could be your career boost. Get in touch today to find out more.

  • Why study this degree?

    If you have been teaching for some time and have the practical experience and desire further to develop your education career with an  Early Childhood focus, this Master’s degree is the course for you. The Master of Education (Early Childhood) is designed to meet the needs of professional teachers like you who wish to undertake further career development.

    The program consists of eight courses: two compulsory, one elective and five specialisation courses. The Master of Education (Early Childhood) is a highly stimulating degree. With the guidance of experienced teachers, you develop the ability to critically analyse, design and implement proactive approaches to early childhood education.

  • Program summary

    • One Theology or Ethics course
    • Two specialisation elective (to be chosen from Religious Education, Leadership and Management, Early Childhood Education, Special Learning Needs, Curriculum)
    • Applied Research Methods in Education
    • Four specialisation courses in Early Childhood

    Specialisation courses

    • Understanding Holistic Development in Context
    • Early Childhood Curriculum Development
    • Trends in Early Childhood Development and Teaching
    • Integration in Early Years Settings

    For a list of courses available please see Schedule of Courses.

    Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

    More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  • Entry requirements

    A student applying for the Master of Education (Early Childhood) must have all of the following:

    • Hold the equivalent of a four year teaching qualification;
    • A GPA of at least 2.5 or higher; and
    • At least three years of full-time professional experience in primary or early childhood teaching.

    English Language Test Scores

    Education students who have English as an additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 8.0 (with no score below 7 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening).

  • Learning outcomes

    Upon successful completion of the Master of Education (Early Childhood) graduates will be able to:

    1. Critically apply and reflect on advanced knowledge and understandings of specialised educational theory and practices within the domain of early childhood education and care
    2. Demonstrate highly developed cognitive, technical and creative skills with initiative, a high level of personal autonomy and accountability to generate understanding of complex issues in early childhood education and care
    3. Evaluate and apply knowledge of research principles and methods to early childhood education contexts
    4. Demonstrate highly developed communication and technical skills to implement, justify and interpret critical issues in early childhood education and care; and
    5. Plan, execute and reflect critically on a substantial research-based project and/or piece of scholarship on critical issues in early childhood education and care.
  • Practical component

    Integration in Early Years’ Settings Practicum Experience is embedded within the coursework (two weeks with babies and toddlers aged 0 -2 years within a childcare context and 10 weeks with children aged 3-5 years within a school or childcare context).

    Please note: Students who already hold an ECE qualification are not required to undertake the practicum. In its place, students complete the course entitled Education Children with Special Needs.

  • Career opportunities

    With a Master of Education (Early Childhood), your career options include working in Australia as a Primary School/Early Childhood teacher in Catholic, Independent and Government schools, or in community and government organisations as a carer, including long day care, family day care, pre-schools, and after-hours care. Other career opportunities within the education system include Lead teacher, faculty or year group coordinator, principal and assistant principal. With an early childhood specialisation, you could work as a childcare leader in long day care, family day care, pre-schools, and after-hours care.

  • Real-world experience

    You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

  • Professional accreditation

    External accreditation requirements apply for students requiring an initial early childhood qualification accredited by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). To obtain the Accreditation students must complete all of the professional experience requirements within the Award.

  • Fees and costs

    This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:


    FEE-HELP
    The FEE-HELP loan scheme assists eligible fee-paying students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your FEE-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.


    For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

  • More information

    Considering your uni options?

    Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.


    For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.


    For more information, please email studyonline@nd.edu.au.

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*2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework categories, **2021 Graduate Outcomes Survey-Longitudinal (medium term outcome), undergraduate category, ***2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category and ****2021 Student Experience Survey, postgraduate category - qilt.edu.au

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