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Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years)
Postgraduate | MAQ-TCH-MAS | 2024
For graduates from diverse disciplines to develop practical teaching skills
There is a growing demand for early childhood educators with university qualifications due to the professionalisation of the sector. Study early childhood teaching pedagogy, health and wellbeing, development, families, language and literacy
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- No dates available
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 15
- Price from
- $45,350
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years)
About this degree
On successful completion, you will be able to
- Critically review and analyse specialist knowledge of children’s development and learning during birth to five years at an advanced level
- Appraise and critically reflect on advanced theory and practice in child development, health and well-being, curriculum, pedagogy, leadership and management
- Systematically document and critically analyse pedagogy and practice in designing early childhood programs
- Critically examine ideas, issues and principles connected with professional decision-making as a teacher/leader in early childhood settings
- Communicate effectively as ethical, reflective and informed practitioners when working with colleagues, children, families, and other early childhood stakeholders
- Use a range of communication media and technologies effectively in designing, evaluating and implementing innovative early childhood programs and research projects
- Articulate a personal philosophy of professional practice which reflects advocacy for children’s rights
- Identify abilities, interests and needs of children and families to develop inclusive programs which reflect an understanding of the diversity of Australian society
- Apply knowledge of educational research principles and methods to critically evaluate early childhood programs and policies
- Investigate complex information, problems, concepts and theories when working in diverse early childhood contexts by applying high order analytical and integrative thinking skills
All Macquarie subjects are now available in Semesters. Please refer to the Key Dates page for further information.
Please Note: Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years) has only one intake per year commencing in Semester 1. If you do not apply in Semester 1, applications for the following years intake will open towards the end of the year.
The aim of the Master of Teaching (Birth to five Years) is to provide a professionally accredited initial teaching degree that enables graduates to be employed as a university-qualified early childhood teacher/leader working in a prior to school setting. In keeping with Macquarie University’s vision to promote research-intensive learning and teaching, critical, analytical and integrative thinking skills are incorporated into all units in this degree. Course content draws on contemporary research-based expertise in child development, curriculum and pedagogy, and leadership and management. Students apply their understandings, skills and specialist early childhood knowledge through engagement with children across the birth to five years range in a variety of early childhood environments. As a postgraduate degree, upon successful completion of this degree, it is expected that graduates will be ready to work as ethical, autonomous and critically reflective teacher leaders, capable of working effectively with children, parents and other professionals in their local communities.
Note: To enroll in ECHX6000, students must complete a Working With Children Check as this subject includes a placement in an early childhood centre.
Cross institutional students who require the convenience of studying a single online subject towards their degree are also welcome to apply for a single subject in the Masters of Teaching (Birth to 5). Make sure you first have written approval from your home institution to do a subject in this way. Please refer to degree information for the full subject list and contact Macquarie for further information or to apply.
In 2020 the Macquarie subject codes changed. All subjects previously studied under the old subject code will be recognised as equivalent.
Recommended study pattern
This degree can be completed as a two year full-time degree or the equivalent part-time.
Students have to complete 160 credit points, there is one subject which is worth 20 credit points
Foundation Zone : 40 credit points
Essential subjects:
- ECHX6000 – Early Childhood Philosophy and Pedagogy 10 credit points
- ECHX6010 – Health and Wellbeing in Early Childhood 10 credit points
- ECHX6020 – Early Childhood Development 10 credit points
- ECHX6030 – Early Childhood Professional Practice 1 10 credit points
Core Zone : 120 credit points
Essential subjects:
- ECHX8200 – Families in Context 10 credit points
- ECHX8220 – Issues in Early Childhood Policy and Pedagogy 10 credit points
- ECHX8230 – Language and Literacy in Early Childhood 10 credit points
- ECHX8240 – Early Childhood Development Research and Practice 10 credit points
- ECHX8250 – Early Childhood Professional Practice 2 10 credit points
- ECHX8260 – Leading and Managing Early Childhood Settings 10 credit points
- ECHX8270 – Learning through Mathematics, Science and Technology in Early Childhood settings 10 credit points
- EDSX8000 - Educational Research 10 credit points
- EDSX8301 - Inclusive and Special Education 10 credit points
- EDSX8209 - Teaching the Arts 10 credit points
- ECHX8290 – Early Childhood Postgraduate Internship 20 credit points
Award requirements
Course content in the Master of Teaching (Birth to Five years) degree comprises studies in child development, curriculum and pedagogy, and leadership and management. To be eligible for the award of Master of Teaching (Birth to Five years), students must successfully complete 64 credit points across a total of 15 subjects (14 single subjects and 1 double subject). These subjects comprise:
- 3 gateway (GW) subjects
- 3 Professional Experience (PE) subjects –these subjects must be completed in sequence and one per session
- 8 Core (C) subject
- One Elective (E) subject from a range of options
FULL-TIME students, complete eight (8) subjects each year or equivalent, and can complete the degree in two years as follows:
- Year 1: three (3) gateway subjects + four (4) core subjects + one (1) professional experience subject*
- Year 2: four (4) core subjects + two (2) professional experience subjects** + one (1) elective subject.
PART-TIME students can enroll in one or two subjects each session. It is essential to note the pre-requisite subjects in advance. Students are strongly advised to seek academic advice to work out an individual study plan to complete studies on a part-time basis.
We are aware that students may decide to complete 1-4 subjects per session. As such, we recommend that you complete the following subjects in 2019 based on the following combinations (order of importance). Pre-requisites have been taken into account in the following recommendations:
Combination 1
Semester 1: ECHX6000,
Semester 2: ECHX8270 and/or ECHX8230Combination 2
Semester 1: ECHX6020
Semester 2: ECHX8240Combination 3
Semester 1: ECHX6010
Semester 2: -
Combination 4
Semester 1: ECHX8200
Semester 2: ECHX6030Important:
* The first professional experience subject ECHX6030 is completed at a gateway subject level.
**The final profession experience subject ECHX8290 is a double credit point subject.
Exit points
There are no early exit points in this degree.
Students wanting to review their progress and/or continuation in this degree are strongly recommended to seek degree advice from a designated academic at the Institute of Early Childhood.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Please note there is only one intake in Semester 1 each year.
In order to be eligible for this course, you will also be required to complete a teaching questionnaire to demonstrate your suitability for teaching.
Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.
Visit Studying a degree through OUA for further information.
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
From 2020 the Macquarie unit codes have changed. All units previously studied under the old unit code will be recognised as equivalent.
Changes in 2021:
The program has been restructured in 2021. Please refer to the Degree Structure Details for more information.
Subjects to be retired:
- ECHX8280 – Creativity and the Arts: Contemporary Perspectives
- ECHX8300 – Early Intervention: Theory and Practice
- ECHX8310 – Pedagogical Approaches to Early Childhood Curriculum
- ECHX8320 – Contemporary Approaches to Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice
- ECHX8330 – Child Development in Context
- ECHX8860 – Multimodality and Early Childhood
New subjects:
- EDSX8000 - Educational Research
- EDSX8301 - Inclusive and Special Education
- EDSX8209 - Teaching the Arts
Students will not be penalised for completing subjects that are no longer offered.
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Please Note: This degree has only one intake per year commencing in Semester 1. If you do not apply in Semester 1, applications for the following years intake will open towards the end of the year.
To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this degree, you must be:
- An Australian citizen residing in Australia for all or part of your studies; OR
- A New Zealand citizen who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your studies; OR
- The holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your studies; AND
- Able to meet the university degree admission criteria
Please note: As from 2021, Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and HECS are not available for this degree for new students. However, subject to your eligibility, other HELP loans may be available. Students who have already been admitted into a Commonwealth Supported Place will not be affected by this change.
Entry to this degree is restricted and applicants are asked to consider the requirements regarding Working with Children Checks and Professional Experience Placements when applying.
Entry requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 55
Students are required to apply and be approved by Macquarie University before they can enter into the degree through OUA. Applicants who meet the academic requirements for admission will be issued with an offer of admission, conditional upon meeting the following criteria:
- evidence that you are either a temporary or permanent resident living in Australia. This is necessary because all compulsory Professional Field visits and Professional Experience placements must be undertaken and supervised in an Early Childhood centre located in Australia.
- obtaining a “Working with Children Check” (WWCC) from the relevant state/territory authority
- Completing a teaching questionnaire to demonstrate your suitability for teaching.
Where applicable, English language competence will be assessed in accordance with the English Language Requirements.
Please note that students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
To learn more about Commonwealth supported places, including eligibility please see Commonwealth supported places.
The required standard of English for this program is:
Academic IELTS of 7.5 overall (with minimum 7.0 in Reading, 7.0 in Writing, 8.0 in Listening, 8.0 in Speaking) or equivalent.
All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.
You may be eligible for credit against individual units in your course at Macquarie if you have additional postgraduate-level study or qualifications beyond those required for admission.
For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.
Study method requirements
While the majority of subjects are completed fully-online, as this is an Australian government accredited teaching qualification, there are four (4) subjects in the Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years) that require students to complete a professional experience placement in a prior to school setting in Australia. Subject descriptions for ECHX6000, ECHX6030, ECHX8250 and ECHX8290 provide specific information about these requirements.
The introductory subject ECHX6000: Early Childhood Philosophy and Pedagogy requires students to complete 8 x 4-hour professional field visits to a prior to school setting in Australia. These visits must be completed once a week from Week 5 and cannot be completed as a block.
The three professional experience subjects involve the following placements:
- ECHX6030: 20 days with birth - 2 year olds
- ECHX8250: 20 days with 2 - 5 year olds; and
- ECHX8290: 30 days completed as 3 days x 10 weeks with either birth – 2 year olds or 2-5 year olds. (Students currently working with children aged birth to five years in a prior to school setting in Australia may be able to complete ECHX8290 at their place of employment.)
Please note that no student will be allowed to complete two Professional Experience subjects during any one semester.
Working with Children Check:
Prior to enrolling in any units that involve direct contact with children in an Early Childhood Centre in Australia, students are required to apply for a “Working with Children Check” (WWCC) and provide documentary evidence to the Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University.
Students who fail to provide this evidence cannot enroll in the following units: ECHX6000, ECHX6003, ECHX8250 and ECHX8290.
IMPORTANT:
Please note that ECHX6000 is one of the first units undertaken in this degree and it is essential to obtain your WWCC before or as soon as possible when enrolling in this unit.
Each State/Territory has its own website which provides information about the requirements for Working with Children Checks.
Students completing the Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years) from outside NSW are required to contact their state/territory Children’s Services Regulatory Agency for further information to ensure compliance with equivalent working with children legislation requirements in that state/territory.
At all times, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are meeting the relevant Working with Children’s Check clearances when completing work related to the Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years).
- Completion of the Macquarie University’s Non-Academic Survey (NAS).
- Applicants for the Master of Teaching courses at Macquarie University must complete this short survey in order to receive an offer. It will take up to 5 business days to process.
- Completion of the Macquarie University’s Non-Academic Survey (NAS).
Career opportunities
The Master of Teaching (Birth to Five years) degree is designed to enable graduates from diverse disciplines or professions to obtain an approved early childhood teacher qualification. This degree aligns well with the increasing professionalisation of the early childhood sector and the growing demand for early childhood educators with university qualifications. It will support students to develop practical teaching skills underpinned by a sound multidisciplinary knowledge base of early childhood studies, essential for employment and career growth as an early childhood specialist. All students complete three practicum placements in early childhood settings with children in the birth to five years age range. In particular, during ECED829 – the internship unit, students are scaffolded to demonstrate their capacity to work at an advanced level expected of early childhood teachers with a masters degree qualification.
Upon successful completion, graduates from this degree can seek employment with a range of government agencies, non-government organisations as well as private and community owned early childhood settings, based within Australia or overseas. High performing graduates can also gain access to Macquarie University's higher degree research training course, the Master of Research.
Professional recognition
The Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), the government agency, has approved the Master of Teaching (Birth to Five Years) degree as an Early Childhood Teacher qualification.
Career outlook
- Child Care Centre Managers:
- $75K to $93K
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers:
- $75K to $93K
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
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