Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) - CM43

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is an initial teacher education course that will prepare you to qualify for professional registration with the Queensland College of Teachers, the administering body in Queensland and teaching across the Australian Curriculum in the Preparatory Year to Year 2 in Australian primary schools and in early childhood settings (long day care settings and kindergartens/pre-prep).

In addition to building the professional knowledge and skills required to teach, the course is designed to foster dispositions for engaging in and contributing to the teaching profession through a commitment to ongoing professional learning. The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) includes a specialisation in English providing you with knowledge and skills in this specialisation area and appealing to your future employers. Plus, you will benefit from work-integrated learning opportunities built into each term of study based on a full-time study load, ensuring you are building real-world skills in the classroom and developing your confidence.

The design of this course utilises CQUniversity’s three term structure, enabling a two-year volume of learning master course to be completed in one and a half years, so you can start your teaching career sooner. A part-time pathway is also available and is to be completed as a minimum of two units per term as per the part-time course planner.

This course is also an approved course with the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for employment purposes as an early childhood teacher in childcare/early learning centres and kindergartens. To be eligible for teacher registration, students in this course are required to undertake and pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Educators (LANTITE) prior to graduation.

Core Units	16	Major Units	None
Electives	None	Minor Units	None

Course structure

You are required to complete a total of 16 core units.

Students undertaking an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course are expected to undertake and meet the benchmark in the personal Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE). These two tests (one literacy and one numeracy) are part of the accreditation requirements of this course and there is an expectation that students enrolled in an ITE course will be undertaking the tests and successfully meet the benchmarks prior to graduation. You can find further information about the LANTITE including how to register at the ACER website.

Term 2 commencement

Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Term 2 (July), the units that you are required to complete will be scheduled over two years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent). Check out the Course Planner for more information.

Unit information

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

Our teaching courses qualify you in early childhood, primary or secondary teaching. In addition to building professional knowledge and skills, throughout our courses you will undertake frequent and meaningful work experience and professional practice in authentic educational settings.

Your choices

Our teaching courses are initial teacher education courses that qualify you for professional registration by the Queensland College of Teachers. From undergraduate courses to master level courses, there is a course to suit your background and teaching career goal.

• The Master of Teaching (Primary) is an ideal option if you already hold a bachelor degree in a non-education discipline and will provide you with qualifications to teach students from Prep to Year 6 level in Australian primary schools.
• Alternatively, the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) will suit you if you already hold a bachelor degree in a non-education discipline and wish to teach across the Australian Curriculum in the Preparatory Year to Year 2 in Australian primary schools and in early childhood settings (long day care settings and kindergartens or pre-prep centres). 
• If you would like to be a secondary school teacher, the Master of Teaching (Secondary) will suit you. You will need to already hold a Bachelor degree in a non-education discipline that aligns with two recognised teaching areas.

Real-world opportunities

You will have the opportunity to complete professional practice blocks where you will gain practical and relevant experience. These blocks are scheduled in each term of your course giving you opportunities to continually apply the skills and knowledge you gain from your studies to authentic teaching scenarios.

In your first professional practice unit, you will complete 10 observation visits to a range of learning settings. Your subsequent professional praxis units are 20-day block placements. In preparation for your final placement, you will also complete five one-day contextual visits to the school where you will complete your placement.  

Your e-portfolio

Throughout your studies, you will have opportunities to develop an e-portfolio. Your e-portfolio is a valuable career planning and preparation tool that you can use to showcase to future employers your abilities, and demonstrate the experience, skills and knowledge you have gained through your studies. Your professional practice blocks and the authentic assessments that you complete throughout your studies provide you with opportunities to build and develop your e-portfolio and enhance your career outcomes.

Online Availability

Term 1 - 2024	Available Online
Term 2 - 2023	Available Online
Term 2 - 2024	Available Online

Majors and minors are not applicable to this course.

Unit Name	Code	Description
Professional Praxis 4: Transition to Teaching	EDFE20037	Supervised placement in a school context as per EDFE20037 Unit Profile
Professional Praxis 3: Enacting Learning and Teaching	EDFE20036	Supervised placement in a school context as per EDFE20036 Unit Profile
Professional Praxis 2: Supportive Learning Environments	EDFE20035	Supervised placement in a kindergarten context as per EDFE20035 Unit Profile
Professional Praxis 1: Understanding learning contexts	EDFE20034	Supervised placement in a kindergarten context as per EDFE20034 Unit Profile

Duration of Professional Practice units

Benefit from supervised placements to graduate classroom ready. Check below for more detail on the length of each placement block. 

UNIT NAME	CODE	DURATION
Professional Praxis 4 - Transition to Teaching	EDFE20037	20-day block placement in an Australian school plus five one-day contextual visits leading up to the block placement.
Professional Praxis 3 - Enacting Learning and Teaching	EDFE20036	20-day block placement plus one-day induction and orientation at the discretion of the site in an Australian school.
Professional Praxis 2 - Supportive Learning Environments	EDFE20035	20-day block placement in an Australian school.
Professional Praxis 1 - Learning, Teaching and Planning	EDFE20034	10 observation visits in a range of settings where learning occurs to conduct observations. These settings may include schools, tutoring centres, coaching venues, and other suitable sites.

This course has no residential schools.

There are three key components to gain successful entry to the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) as outlined below:

Academic Requirements (Pre-requisite Qualification)

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold:

• A completed 3 year non-education Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree, or overseas equivalent qualification, with a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 4.0 which has been completed within the last 10 years* ; and
• Successful completion of at least 8 units (1 year full-time equivalent study) relevant to either one, or a combination, of the learning areas from the primary school curriculum (below):

-English

-Mathematics

-Science

-History

-Geography

-The Arts

-Civics and Citizenship

-Economics and Business

-Health and Physical Education

-Technologies

*Degrees must have been completed/conferred within the last 10 years from the date of term commencement for the relevant intake term. Applicants who completed their Bachelor degree ten or more years ago will need to supply a letter of employment which demonstrates professional experience in the same area as their undergraduate degree. Letters of employment must be presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service.

Non-Academic Requirements (Key Capabilities)

All applicants must provide a mandatory written statement in support of your non-academic capabilities, demonstrating how you hold the key attributes and motivations to become an effective teacher, as outlined by AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership). You may consider the prompts mentioned below in each question to frame your response. For your application to be considered, you must write 200-500 words for each of the questions below:

• Tell us what has inspired you to become a teacher and tell us why you think teaching is a good career choice for you. (In your response, describe who and what has inspired you to become a teacher and describe the types of skills and abilities you will bring to teaching.)
• Describe one or two leadership, community and/or learning and development activities that you have engaged in. (In your response, describe how these leadership, community and/or learning and development activities demonstrate your conscientiousness and coping strategies when you are faced with challenges.)
• Describe how you manage your time when you are both planning and coordinating activities in your personal schedule. (In your response, provide examples of how you have put both your planning and coordinating skills to use.)
• Tell us about one or two times where you have utilised your problem-solving skills to achieve an outcome. (In your response, explain what you learned, regardless of whether the outcome you achieved was positive or undesirable.)

English Language Proficiency

Applicants are required to provide evidence of their completed 3 year non-education Bachelor level qualification with an overall Grade Point Average of at least 4.0, which has been completed within Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or United States of America.

If you do not satisfy the above requirement, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.5 with a minimum 7.0 for Reading and Writing and 8.0 for Speaking and Listening.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Security Requirements

This course requires you to possess a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to enable you to participate in work integrated learning in schools and other learning sites.

Health Requirements

To be eligible to complete placements in early childhood settings, pre-service teachers may be required to show proof of immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella and influenza. In addition, some states and territories are requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for all school staff. Please be aware that these regulations would apply to preservice teachers. Regulations may be introduced in your state prior to, or at the time of, your scheduled placement/s and you must adhere to these requirements.

Assumed Knowledge

N/A

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is an initial postgraduate pre-service teacher education course for those who aim to pursue a career as a primary school teacher. Graduates are qualified to teach from Prep to Year 2. In addition, graduates are qualified to work in long day care settings and kindergartens with children from birth to school age.

Graduates of the course can apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers and are qualified to teach in State, Catholic and Independent schools throughout Australia.

The course is also recognised as a teaching qualification for employment in educational settings internationally, however additional requirements may apply in some locations.

Graduates of this course have developed significant skills that enhance employment opportunities in other sectors. In combination with work experience and personal qualities, graduates may pursue employment in a variety of career paths including:

• government departments (e.g. family services, education and health)
• education administration
• community development roles
• workplace training developers

Graduates of the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) are eligible to apply for provisional registration as a teacher upon completion of the course.

Additionally, graduates are eligible to be recognised as an Early Childhood Teacher with the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) for employment purposes in childcare/early learning centres and kindergartens.

2023 Indicative Fees
Fee Type	Fees
Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee	$22,284.00

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees.  Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way. Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?
View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.

What’s the best way to apply?

• Option 1: Ideal for most situations, unless you are a returning CQUni student or changing your CQUni course.
• Option 2: Ideal if you are a past CQU student.

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Option 1: In most situations, you will need to apply via the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC)

To apply for this course you will need to submit your application for this course via QTAC.

Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via QTAC.

Tertiary Admission Centre Codes

QTAC

851475

APPLY VIA QTAC

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Option 2: If you have studied with CQUniversity before, apply directly to CQUniversity

As a past CQU student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQUniversity for this course.

To apply directly to CQU, you must have successfully completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course or higher education course (such as an undergraduate or postgraduate course) with CQU. You must also hold a completed non-education bachelor degree as outlined within the Entry Requirements section above. 

Applicants who are not CQU Alumni must apply via QTAC. 

Apply direct