D60012 Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and Primary Education

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to D4004 Graduate Certificate of Educational Research. 

If you achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65%, you may apply for admission to D4004 Graduate Certificate of Educational Research as a pathway to a graduate research degree.

Find out more about professional recognition and accreditation for your course at the Faculty of Education's professional recognition page.

The Master of Teaching Early Childhood and Primary Education will prepare you for a rewarding career as an educator in the early childhood sector and primary schools. This course is designed for those with an undergraduate degree in any relevant discipline who wish to gain an early childhood and primary teaching qualification.

You will develop advanced knowledge and skills in teaching and caring for infants and children (birth - 12 years of age) in childcare, kindergartens, preschools and primary schools. You will engage with contemporary theories and practices of early childhood and primary education, developing inclusive practices that respond to children's diverse needs and foster their creative, physical, personal, intellectual and social capabilities. You will build a repertoire of teaching strategies, including play-based approaches, to foster children's learning and support key transitions, including the transition to school. 

You will learn evidence-informed teaching approaches aligned with the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model (VTLM 2.0) and Core Content, preparing you to design clear, inclusive and effective learning experiences. 

All the key elements of the primary curriculum including English and literacies, mathematics and numeracy, arts, humanities, digital technologies, science, and health and physical education are included. Your expertise within the key primary curriculum areas of English/literacy or mathematics/numeracy, will be enhanced by completing extended studies in one of these areas. 

You will also develop a deep understanding of the social, cultural and policy contexts of early childhood and primary education. You will learn how to work effectively with families and communities, as well as how to implement child safety, protection and welfare policies and practices, and uphold the ethical and professional standards expected of teachers. 

Professional experience is embedded throughout the course, starting in your first semester and culminating in an extended supervised teaching experience in your final semester. Across 75 days of supervised professional experience in metropolitan, rural, remote or international settings, you will connect theory with practice and develop the professional capabilities needed to teach effectively within early childhood settings and primary schools. 

The Master of Teaching Early Childhood and Primary Education will prepare you as a professional, effective educator for the global workforce. As a graduate of the course, you will develop strong professional judgement to guide decision-making in your educational practice, enabling you to establish yourself as an effective, innovative, and inclusive educator, as well as a future leader in the profession.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.