Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), University of South Australia (UniSA). 2017 information for Australian students

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
Magill
Mawson Lakes

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MMET

SATAC Code
4CM111 (Internal)
4CM188 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed a three-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution, or equivalent.

Selection is based on academic merit.

Additional selection processes may apply from 2017.

Applicants who have completed an early childhood or primary three year degree or diploma in teaching, are registered teachers and have at least two years of experience teaching in a pre-school or primary school setting within the last 5 years, are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

Applicants are advised that a successful criminal history screening clearance is required for all students prior to their undertaking any professional experience/practicum placement that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance will be provided with the letter of offer or may be viewed at the School of Education criminal history screening web page. These placements form a compulsory part of the program. A successful clearance may also be required for other courses, eg to enter any school, pre-school or childcare centre for any reason, including on placement, observation or visits, unless the students are already registered teachers.

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Aim

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) qualifies graduates to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts and with the professional capacities to be creatively and innovatively responsive to the changing and challenging demands of being educators of learners aged from birth to 8 years. The degree provides a pathway for lifelong learning and professional development as a reflective practitioner.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) degree will have a body of knowledge in professional experience, professional and discipline-specific curriculum studies and education studies. The graduates will develop an indepth understanding of the underlying principles and concepts in early childhood emotional, social cognitive and physical development and apply knowledge and competencies in curriculum planning for the teaching and nurturing of learners aged from birth to 8 years. Graduates will have knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to teaching in the early childhood setting.

The students will complete 72 units of study comprising core courses and courses that are specific to the early childhood specialisation.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Professional Experience and Reflection 1: Introduction to Early Childhood Educators' Practices	EDUC 5186	4.5	Note(s): 2,4	Rule(s): 1,2,6
Social and Emotional Development M	EDUC 5198	4.5	Note(s): 1,4
Developing a Play Curriculum M	EDUC 5159	4.5	Note(s): 1,4
Development, Learning and Cognition M	EDUC 5160	4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Experience and Reflection 2: Early Childhood Educator's Work	EDUC 5221	4.5	Note(s): 2,4	Rule(s): 1,2
Arts Education M	EDUC 5142	4.5	Note(s): 3
Inclusive Education M	EDUC 5174	4.5	Note(s): 1
Contemporary Practice in Education Research	EDUC 5204	4.5	Note(s): 4
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Study Period 1
English Education M	EDUC 5162	4.5	Note(s): 3
Managing Learning Environments M	EDUC 5182	4.5	Note(s): 1
Study Period 2
Health and Physical Education M	EDUC 5166	4.5	Note(s): 3
Humanities and Social Sciences Education M	EDUC 5170	4.5	Note(s): 3
Science and Technology: Birth to Eight Years M	EDUC 5196	4.5	Note(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Experience and Reflection 3: Early Childhood Teacher as Inquirer	EDUC 5189	9	Note(s): 2	Rule(s): 1,2,8
Mathematics Education M	EDUC 5183	4.5	Note(s): 3

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to take the three Professional Experience and Reflection courses in sequence. Professional Experience and Reflection days and blocks must be taken on a continuous full-time basis regardless of whether a student is studying in a part-time or full-time mode.

2. Accreditation requirements mandate that pre-service teacher education students in a two year program undertake supervised professional experience of no less than 60 days in a formal education setting. In South Australia this includes preschool settings. Pre-service teacher education students are assessed against the Teachers Registration Board (SA) professional teaching standards and are awarded a non-graded pass (NGP). Pre-service teacher education students in the Early Childhood Education specialisation undertake an additional professional experience placement of 20 days in a child care setting in order to meet industry requirements.

3. Students will be required to undertake a criminal history screening through the Department of Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI), the clearance will be valid for three years. The Criminal History Screening must be completed prior to being accepted for a placement and can take up to six to eight weeks to be processed. Strict confidentiality is maintained during the DCSI clearance process. If a student fails to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity that a student may require to complete the course of study. If students cannot undertake a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity which is a compulsory part of the program, they cannot graduate with an Education Degree from UniSA.

4. Identified students must complete L3 placement preparation workshops.

5. Students enrolled in programs in the School of Education and who are completing any in-school or site (ie preschools and childcare settings) observations, activities or professional experience placements, must undertake mandatory training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect prior to the commencement of the activities or placements. In South Australia child protection legislation and policy require all organisations to establish and promote child safe environments. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect training is required of all individuals working with children and young people. All students undertaking professional experience placements in South Australian government and non-government schools and preschools must provide documented evidence (ie a certificate) that shows they have completed all the required training from one of the providers mentioned on the following website. For more information go to http://www.unisa.edu.au/Education-Arts-and-Social-Sciences/school-of-education/Our-Placements/Pre-requisites-and-Requirements/

6. Pre-service teachers enrolled in the Early Childhood strand must complete and provide evidence of completion of Basic Emergency Life Support (DECD) or Applied First Aid before commencing the course EDUC 5186 Professional Experience and Reflection 1: Introduction to Early Childhood Educators' Practices.

7. Applicants who have completed an early childhood or primary three-year degree or diploma in teaching, and have at least two years of experience teaching in a preschool or school setting, are eligible to enter the program with 1.0 EFTSL Advanced Standing in lieu of 8 courses (36 units) and complete the program in 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.

8. All students commencing from 1 January 2017 will be required to meet the required standard in the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) prior to graduation. Students will undertake the national literacy and numeracy tests during the first year of their program. Students will be required to meet the standard of each Test as a prerequisite for their final Professional Experience Placement course. The University will provide a range of supports for students who do not achieve the required standard in either the literacy or numeracy or both tests. Students will be allowed three attempts at each test. Any student who fails to meet the standard on three occasions in either the literacy or numeracy test will usually be counselled to transfer to an alternative program.

Notes

1. The Education Study component of the program comprises these 5 courses (22.5 units).

2. The Professional Experience and Reflection component of the program comprises these three courses (18 units).

3. The Discipline/Learning Area Studies component of the program comprises these 6 courses (27 units).

4. Students who receive Advanced Standing will need to complete these 5 core courses plus 3 electives selected from the other courses in the program.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Successful completion of this program provides a recognised academic qualification which will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Applicants should note there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and other registration and regulatory authorities. Applicants are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.

This program has been approved by the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as an Early Childhood Teaching Qualification for the purposes of the Education and Care Services National Law.