Master of Teaching (Birth - 5)

On completion of the course you will be able to:

1. Synthesise in-depth, current knowledge and an integrated understanding of the theories, content and processes of learning and teaching in the field of early childhood education.
2. Articulate advanced knowledge and reflexivity regarding children's development and individual and social differences, including for Indigenous Australians.
3. Apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills and dispositions to create and maintain mutually respectful and socially just learning environments for children aged birth to 5 years.
4. Communicate respectfully with babies, young children, colleagues, parents and communities to enhance professional practice and children’s learning in the field of early childhood education.
5. Apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills to construct and assess inclusive and challenging curriculum for children aged birth to 5 years.
6. Demonstrate and apply sound knowledge of research principles and methods to execute an inquiry-led and research- based project in early childhood education.
7. Commit to ongoing professional learning to do with new discourses, debates, leadership and issues in education as they arise in the field of early childhood education.
8. Demonstrate dispositions towards relational and transformative education and a strong sense of themselves as agents, advocates and leading professionals in the field of early childhood education.
9. Develop a deep understanding of Indigenous cultures and pedagogies and how to weave these through children’s everyday play and learning experiences.

The Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) provides graduates with the specialist knowledge and skills necessary to enter the early childhood teaching profession with confidence and competence, preparing graduates to work with young children aged birth-to-five years. You will gain knowledge of curriculum studies and theories of education and undertake teaching practice which brings together theory and practice in birth to 5 early childhood settings (eg. childcare centres, kindergartens, preschool). 

This course articulates with the 18 unit Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) and the sequentially developed topics enable progression through the two awards.

Recommended study pattern

You’ll complete 16 topics and gain hands-on experience with 80 days of work placements to develop skills that will impact young children's lives.

You'll learn to inspire and nurture young minds, creating inclusive environments that celebrate differences. You'll engage in exciting projects, design play-based learning experiences, and explore the significance of Indigenous knowledge.

YEAR 1

A typical first year may include:

• Making Meaning in the Expressive Arts
• Contemporary Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Early Childhood Philosophies, Pedagogies and Partnerships
• Researching Play and Pedagogies
• Pedagogies of Belonging
• The Developing Numerate and Literate Infant
• Literacy and Language Development in the Early Years
• Professional Experience 1 (Early Childhood). 

YEAR 2

A typical second year may include:

• Thinking and Working Scientifically in the Early Years
• Reading and Writing Through Play
• The Numerate Child
• Professional Experience: Final Assessment (Early Childhood)
• Playing on Country
• Teacher as Leader and Researcher
• Numeracy and Multimodal Literacies in a Technology-rich World
• Social Understandings of Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Teaching (Birth to 5), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of Pass (P) or Non-Graded Pass (NGP) or better in each topic, following the program of study detailed in the course handbook.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) on more than one occasion in the same core topic, may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Except with the permission of the Dean (Education):

• Teaching practicum topics may not be attempted more than once.

Exit points

Students who do not wish to complete the full Master of Teaching (Birth to 5) may be eligible to exit with an alternative qualification upon meeting the required study components:

• Graduate Certificate in Education :Upon successful completion of 18 units of study.
• Graduate Diploma in Education: Upon successful completion of 36 units of study.

These exit awards provide recognised qualifications for students who wish to conclude their studies early while still obtaining a formal education credential.

For further details, refer to the Flinders University Course Handbook.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $9,248

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Flinders University is a globally-focused, locally-engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. They offer world‐class education that develops the critical and creative thinking skills to support a student’s success. Their courses offered through Open Universities Australia span business, education and law. They are designed with flexibility in mind, while delivering the advanced qualifications to take careers to the next step.

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Applicants must have normally completed an appropriate undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution; or hold a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Birth to 5) or equivalent qualification.

Applicants must also complete and pass a non-academic assessment task (Teaching Capabilities Statement) based on the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) requirements for early childhood teaching programs.

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• First language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language).
• Completed secondary schooling in Australia.
• Completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution).
• Completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution. 
• Completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program. 
• Performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements. 
• Registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia).
• Achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university.
• Completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider.

In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment.

This course includes extensive hands-on work experience with real world projects and 80 days of professional placements in the first and second years that meet industry standards, aligning with Australia’s early childhood education framework. 

Flinders will do its best to organise placements in your hometown. Plus, if you already work in an early childhood setting, you can complete up to half of your placements there.