Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years)
Postgraduate | USQ-ELT-MAS | 2022
Course information for 2022 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Teach children in supportive learning environments
Add this approved early childhood teacher qualification to your bachelor degree–and become a registered teacher in just 18 months! Discover how to teach children from birth to eight years. Explore how they learn. Create supportive environments.
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 16
- Price from
- $7,970
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years)
About this degree
Study UniSQ’s Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years) and gain a comprehensive understanding of early education practices and learn how to provide children with a strong start in their learning development. The program objectives align with the requirements of ACECQA and the seven AITSL Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level). On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to demonstrate that they:
- know and understand the characteristics of babies and young children and how they develop and learn
- know and understand the curriculum and learning frameworks that govern diverse early childhood and primary school settings
- collaborate with others to plan for the effective implementation of age appropriate programs for child engagement, development and learning
- create and maintain supportive, socially inclusive and safe learning environments within diverse settings
- observe, interpret, assess, provide feedback and report on child development and learning
- engage in professional learning to develop and improve practice
- engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers, stakeholders and the community.
Study UniSQ’s Master of Learning and Teaching (Early Years) and gain a comprehensive understanding of early education practices and learn how to provide children with a strong start in their learning development. You’ll discover how to create and maintain supportive, socially inclusive and safe learning environments. Become a registered teacher and specialise in the development and care of children from birth to eight years. Build significant industry connections through 75 days of supervised professional experience placements in pre-school and primary school contexts. This degree is an approved early childhood teacher qualification with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). It also meets the expectations and requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Recommended study pattern
Year 1 - Semester 1
EDM5007 Cultivating Supportive Learning Environments
EDM5010 Literacy Learning in the Early Years
EDM5100 HPE and Wellbeing Curriculum and Pedagogical Studies 1
EDM5014 Planning for Learning: Curriculum, Play and Pedagogy
Year 1 - Semester 2
EDM5003 Science Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies
EDM5005 Mathematics Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies 1
EDM5016 Early Years Data and Assessment
EDM5001 Understanding Learners and Learning
Year 2 - Semester 1
EDM8007 Literacies Learning in Diverse Contexts
EDM8018 Leading in Early Childhood
EDM8020 Arts and Technology through Play
EDM8017 Relating and Inquiring in Infant and Toddler Education and Care Contexts
Year 2 - Semester 2
EDM8005 Mathematics Curriculum & Pedagogical Studies 2
EDM8008 Inquiring through the Humanities
EDM8014 English Literacy and Special Educational Needs
EDM8100 Evidence of Learning in Teaching
Award requirements
Completion of 16 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.
Exit points
- Upon completion of four postgraduate courses, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Certificate of Education. This qualification is not approved for teacher registration and does not meet the requirements of the ACECQA Framework.
- Upon completion of eight postgraduate courses, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Education. This qualification is not approved for teacher registration and does not meet the requirements of the ACECQA Framework.
As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.
Learn more about USQ.
Explore USQ courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 24
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 24
How to apply
University of Southern Queensland manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to University of Southern Queensland who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Completed a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a discipline other than education with a minimum GPA of 4.0 out of 7.0.
Non-academic entry criteria
- Completion of the non-academic entry requirements to demonstrate the applicant’s motivation to teach and suitability for the teaching profession. Details are available from the QTAC initial teacher education webpage.
- If an applicant has achieved a 'satisfactory' result for one or more components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) at another institution, the 'satisfactory' result can be carried across with this admission application.
- Students must be available for a prescribed period of time to undertake the majority of the supervised Professional Experience placements in an Australian school setting, or at another approved site as required by the program. State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, are required to possess a current Positive Exemption Card (Blue Card or Exemption Card). Students in other Australian states or in overseas contexts need to ensure they have complied with the equivalent requirements and have registered the details with the USQ Education Placement Office.
Please Note: This program is still accepting applications for 2022.
Applicants from a non-English speaking background are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 7.5, or equivalent, with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.
Candidates eligible for admission into this program may be eligible for up to eight units of credit on the basis of successful completion of relevant, equivalent postgraduate level study completed at a recognised university or institution.
Credit approved in this program will not automatically apply to other specialisations or USQ programs. Claims for credit should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with the Credit and Exemptions Procedure.
For instructions on applying for credit, please view information on Recognition of prior learning.
Study method requirements
During the degree, you will complete four full-time supervised professional experience placements blocks, including 10 days with children aged birth to two years old, 20 days in a kindergarten, and 45 days in a primary school setting, totalling 75 days. All students must be able to meet professional requirements expected of teachers within this degree, including holding a current Positive Exemption Card (Blue Card or Exemption Card), or equivalent.
Career opportunities
Graduates can work in early learning centres and kindergartens, early education and care services, and to be eligible to apply for registration to teach in primary school contexts with in-depth understandings and skills of foundation to Year 3, with a specialisation in English Literacy.
Professional recognition
This degree is an approved early childhood teacher qualification with the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) and accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). It also meets the expectations and requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).
Career outlook
- Child Care Centre Managers:
- $75K to $93K
- Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers:
- $75K to $93K