Prepare young learners with the skills, confidence, and motivation they need to excel in school and beyond through our MS in Early Childhood Studies program.
There are few professions as rewarding as those that involve nurturing the developmental needs of children. Our master’s in early childhood development non-licensure degree program empowers you to deepen your understanding of child development and learning, expand your knowledge of effective programs and services, and enhance your ability to link issues of equity and inclusion to how students learn and grow.
You already have the desire to make a difference. With our master’s-level early childhood development degree, you can gain the knowledge and professional competencies that prepare you for leadership roles, in and out of the classroom.
After the first course, you can take one course at a time, earn your degree faster by taking two courses at once, or choose a combination of the two throughout the program to fit your changing needs.
And Walden now offers two ways to earn your degree. With Tempo Learning® by Walden, you have the option to choose your learning experience depending on your learning style and preferences. Whether you want to study alongside classmates in a traditional course-based program or earn your degree at your pace, there’s an option for you to achieve your dreams.
Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies program offers a variety of specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals.
Expand Your Career Options
Prepare for a variety of roles in the early childhood field, including:
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Childhood Studies at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
This course aims to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of children and childhood.
Performance:
- strong links with a range of international networks and similar university departments in Europe and around the world
Teaching and Employability:
- excellent learning experience and cross cultural views because of international student cohorts
- opportunity to continue studies to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team
- opportunity to take part in a local field trip
The course in Childhood Studies is designed for a wide range of professionals working with children.
A broad range of topics are covered and students are encouraged to critically reflect on their practice and address theory and research relevant to their own interests in Childhood Studies.
The Childhood Studies course will:
- reflect upon the nature of childhood as a concept and the way in which it comes to be construed as it is
- consider holistic child development in contemporary society
- reflect on childhood and family policy in a variety of contexts
- consider professional roles (one’s own and others) in relation to services for children and their families
- encourage critical analysis of research in relation to childhood
- encourage professional reflective practice.
Modules on the Childhood Studies course may include:
Researching Childhood
Understanding and Observing Child Development
Child Health
Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young People
Perspectives on Play
Advanced Practice with Children
Therapeutic Work with Children
Childhood Illness
Childhood Nutrition and Growth
Team members are active researchers and their work is well published in Childhood Studies.
Childhood Studies students are encouraged to publish their own research – thereby demonstrating the high quality of their work.
Team members include:
Amy Brown – an expert in child health
Jill John – an expert in safeguarding and children’s rights
Pete King – an expert in child development and children’s play across children’s services.
Justine Howard – an expert in child development and play across children’s services
Zac Maunder – an expert in children’s emotional health
The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.
In addition, Childhood Studies students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.
Children at a young age need dedicated teachers to provide them positive experiences that foster a love of learning: their later performance in school is frequently inaugurated by early success.
The College of Community and Public Affairs at Binghamton University (CCPA) offers an innovative, initial certification program toward a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Childhood and Early Childhood Education. This program leads to multiple New York State teaching certifications, allowing graduates to work with children from birth through grade 6 in a variety of different roles. Two tracks are available:
-Childhood, Early Childhood and Literacy
-Childhood, Early Childhood and Special Education
Under the guidance of distinguished professors and top-tier teachers in partnership schools and early-childhood programs, students will become teachers with clearly defined commitments, as well as the ability to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families.
During this 2-year, full-time program, students will take a range of courses and work with children in several different fieldwork and student-teaching placements. These experiences will offer opportunities to make connections between theory and practice while developing the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to help all students be successful in school.
The curriculum includes intensive coursework and field experiences, boasting strong content speciality as well as diverse student and faculty backgrounds. Faculty advisors and office staff are eager to assist students in tailoring their course of study and field placements. Students are encouraged to take advantage of a well-established network of alumni and professional connections that will help with field visits and placement. There are urban, suburban and rural schools in close proximity for student teaching opportunities.
Alumni of our program teach in schools around the region and around the country. Other graduates have found roles working with children in other capacities, such as in literacy programs or as speech therapists. Employment opportunities for teachers have improved significantly over the last few years, particularly for teachers who are willing to relocate. Due to strict licensure rules, a New York State teaching license is well respected across the nation, and it is easy for graduates of the program to find employment as teachers in other states.
- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university which you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation (the CCPA will accept additional letters of recommendation)
- Personal statement (Please see the CCPA Admissions website for additional information about the personal statement)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Any program-specific materials (please see the CCPA Admissions website for details)
And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores
The Sociology of Childhood and Children's Rights MA will introduce students to a range of contemporary social theories about childhood and children's rights, critically explore social constructions of childhood, and consider the implications these have for professional practice and research with children and young people.
This programme provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of sociological theories and concepts of childhood and children’s rights, including a recognition of the varied childhoods experienced by children in richer and poorer contexts and how these are shifting in a globalising world. It also helps students develop their critical analytical skills and improve their theoretical understanding and professional practice when working with, and for, children.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of three core modules (90 credits), one optional module (30 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Researching Childhood is the recommended optional module to help prepare for the MA SCCR dissertation.
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 20,000 words.
Teaching and learning
Theories of Childhood & Society and Researching Childhood run in the evenings. Children's rights in Practice runs over a one-week intensive block. Social Theory and the Study of Contemporary Social Problems runs in the afternoon or online.
Face-to-face teaching includes lectures, discussions and debates, as well as providing students the opportunity to discuss readings, case studies, images, and films. An online environment is provided for readings and activities between teaching sessions. Students are encouraged to reflect upon their own personal, academic and/or professional experiences during sessions.
Each core module is assessed by a 5,000-word written assignment. In addition there are tutorials for essay preparation and seminars to support dissertation research.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Sociology of Childhood and Children's Rights MA
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Graduates of this programme are currently working across a broad range of areas. Some are working as international NGO staff, children's charity workers, child advocacy workers and policy advisors. Graduates are also working as teachers and early years practitioners, while others have jobs as university and college lecturers and researchers.
Recent career destinations for this degree
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
This MA explores cutting-edge research and theorising about young people's experiences and their social status in varied global contexts. It is unique in its sociological attention to childhood, children's rights, and children and young people's participation in society.
Students are introduced to internationally-renowned academic experts and international children's organisations and have the opportunity to explore their own areas of interest or professional practice.
The MA is based in UCL Social Science which houses three prestigious, research intensive units. Together they provide a foundation for world-leading work in childhood studies, social work, social pedagogy, families and health-related studies with a strong professional dimension.
This MA offers you the opportunity to explore current issues within early childhood education in national and international contexts, and can open up a wide range of career opportunities in areas including childcare management, lecturing and research.
It focuses on the crucial role that experiences in early education play in producing happy, healthy and successful children. Drawing on your own professional experience, practice and interests you'll be able to research and develop specialist areas of expertise within this field.
Specifically, our re-validated course provides an exciting new opportunity to:
• Engage in rigorous and critical professional development
• Explore issues of relevance to your own workplace
• Enhance your skills in research and critical enquiry
• Investigate the latest research
• Innovate and lead practice
Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/early-childhood-education.aspx
The range of modules is designed to reflect the range of expertise and specialisms within the Early Childhood Directorate teaching team, who are passionate about using insights from their research to enhance your learning experience. You will have the opportunity to develop your own research and specialist areas of expertise, based on personal interests and professional experiences. We encourage you to gain experience as a researcher, and there may be opportunities to get involved in research projects and student internships within the Faculty of Education.
You will study a core module at the outset which will help you develop an understanding of Level 7 learning and the importance of reflection on practice, as you begin to develop effective Level 7 writing skills and abilities.
• Professional Development through Research, Reflection and Professional Practice (core 20 credit module)
As you progress you will have the opportunity to develop these skills further in a range of optional 20 credit modules. Options include the following although some combinations may be limited due to your mode of study (full/part¬time). All modules are subject to change.
• Early Childhood Education: Curricular and Pedagogical Approaches (optional)
• Leading Quality Practice in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Policy and Practice in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Learning Outdoors in Early Childhood (optional)
• Children’s Lives in Context: Historical and International Perspectives (optional)
• Children and Charities in Early Childhood Education (optional)
• Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (optional)
• Early Childhood Education: Negotiated Project (optional)
The final 60 credits of the course are designed to enable you to demonstrate self-direction and originality in conducting an independent research study into a specialist area in early childhood education.
The MA attracts a wide range of graduates from a variety of backgrounds not necessarily Early Years related but those who wish to expand and deepen their knowledge of young children from birth to 8 years. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities hosted by the University such as conferences, open lectures, and visits to early years settings.
You'll study using a variety of learning and teaching strategies involving you as an active participant in the process of learning and teaching depending upon the mode of delivery. Modules typically consist of a series of lectures, workshops and seminars which are delivered over the course of seven weeks. Some modules may be offered on a blended basis combining face to face Saturday sessions with access to online learning resources. Blended delivery is particularly appropriate where the module content demands experiential learning and some sessions may include field work as well as classroom based activities. It is also appropriate for modules such as the Negotiated Project where students are encouraged to further their own specific research interests with one-to-one tutor support.
All learning will be supported through the use of the University Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) as well as other digital media. Individual tutorials are offered to students in all modules and individual supervision forms an essential part of work on the dissertation. The module tutor or the Programme Director will act as your personal tutor.
The programme uses a range of assessment types including presentations, action research reports, reflective commentaries, literature reviews and document analysis. You will also complete a 15,000 word dissertation based on your research interests.
As a programme of rigorous and critical professional development, the MA Early Childhood Education can open up a wide range of opportunities. Graduates from the MA Early Childhood Education have been successful in pursuing careers in a variety of different professional contexts with roles including Lecturer in Early Years, Nursery Manager, Childrens Centre Manager, Deputy Headteacher (primary) and Creative Early Years Specialist. Some students have gone on to enroll on doctoral programmes and to undertake a PhD based on their particular research interests.
For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx
See our postgraduate fees and funding page to discover the loans, scholarships and bursaries available.
Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton is committed to babies and young children as people with agency and unique capacities, and to their overall wellbeing from the prenatal period.
The postgraduate programme draws on Froebel’s understanding of the transformative power of young children’s play on their thinking, and the crucial way that adults can either seek to assist or control young children’s intrinsic creativity. In adults’ interactions with children, however, Froebel recognised the profound influence of the community and social context.
The syllabus is underpinned by an awareness of the influence of these social, cultural and political contexts on young children’s lives, and of the roots and structures of inequality that arise from these issues. The programme will strengthen your awareness and understanding of these influences and explore how you take account of them in action. In these respects, the programme also draws inspiration from the work of Paulo Freire, the radical and pioneering educator.
The teaching is informed by active research and scholarship in early years policy and practice, as well as leading research into young children’s well-being, thinking and understanding. There is a deep commitment to working in partnership with families and communities and to the development of students’ professionalism, advocacy and leadership.
The programme is relevant, engaging and of professional and personal value for a variety of roles within the early years sector. For those working directly with young children, engagement with the course content will provide a platform for continuing professional development and career progression, while for those involved in early years policy or research, the course offers an opportunity to engage with up current thinking in a broad range of issues.
Students will first look at babies' and children’s capacity for play, how they think, and how they communicate their ideas and emotions though a variety of ‘languages’ such as talk, mark-making, drawing, construction, movement, music and dance. This is studied from a variety of theoretical perspectives, critically looking at the values and assumptions underpinning these views.
There is special focus on Froebel’s legacy in early childhood practice and other key pioneers in the child-centred tradition, which embodies advocacy and respect for children and their families. You will gain an understanding of the political nature of this work, learn advocacy skills for the well-being of young children and their families and develop effective leadership and collaboration techniques across disciplines in the field of early childhood. Alongside modules going deeper into young children’s emotions and well-being, students will learn skills for undertaking their own social and educational research. These skills will be put into practice with an extended in-depth research-based project, critically enquiring into an identified social or educational problem.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Required module
Optional modules
The social study of childhood is the focus of this innovative MA, which takes a global and multi-disciplinary approach to the study of childhood and youth from 0-18.
Drawing on sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, philosophy, human geography and inclusive education among others, this programme will give you an understanding of the lives of children and young people in different social, cultural and educational contexts around the world. Core modules will give you a sound knowledge of concepts and approaches in the study of childhood, but you’ll also be able to choose optional modules to suit your interests and career aspirations.
Research insight
MA Childhood Studies is taught in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Families, Lifecourse and Generations (FLaG) in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, a forum for researchers and research users which offers a wide range of seminars, workshops and training to help you expand your knowledge for a wide range of careers.
From the beginning of the programme you’ll develop your understanding of childhood and youth through a core module focusing on academic thinking, policy and practice from a range of different perspectives. You’ll also learn more about undertaking research with children and young people, gaining the skills and knowledge to conduct research in a range of different settings.
During the programme you’ll choose one or two optional modules directly related to childhood studies from the range we offer. If you decide to take only one, you’ll choose another optional module from the Faculty of Education, Social Science and Law to suit your interests and career plans – from racism and ethnicity studies to aspects of international educational management.
Throughout the course you’ll be building your research skills and gaining a broad base of knowledge. You’ll put this to the test in your critical study, when you complete an independent piece of research on a related topic of your choice by the end of the programme in September.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
Compulsory modules
For more information on typical modules, read Childhood Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue
For more information on typical modules, read Childhood Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue
We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures as well as seminars, tutorials and workshops that allow you to discuss in more depth the issues arising from the course reading. However, independent study is also an important element of the degree, allowing you to pursue your own interests and develop your skills.
Most of the modules on this programme are assessed by essays. However, you’ll also submit a project report for the Research with Children and Young People module.
The MA Childhood Studies programme has links with both Leeds Children's Services and Tutti Frutti children's theatre company; both of which offer exclusive internship opportunities to students studying on this course.
This programme has been designed to meet the needs of graduates who plan to use the knowledge and skills they will gain in a wide range of careers involving children. We expect this to include educational, social or health settings as well as NGOs. You’ll also be prepared for further study in related areas such as education, social policy, sociology or psychology.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website
The Doctorate in Childhood Studies (DChild) is a partly taught and partly research based Professional Doctorate which has proved to be both successful and convenient for middle and senior managers and other professionals who wish to further their careers by enhancing their academic knowledge and research skills through developing and expanding on their existing expertise.
You can undertake pathways through taught modules that have an emphasis on child care/child protection; children and education; and children/young people and youth justice.
It represents a unique opportunity to pursue an original research project informed by research training and a range of theoretical perspectives on the lives of children and young people. Exploring the experience of childhood across the age spectrum, in different social and political contexts, this research degree places a strong emphasis on the links between social justice, rights, lived experiences and outcomes.
The programme content is delivered intensively through group teaching in two and a half day blocks (usually Thursday-Saturday lunchtime).
Course Details
Students are required to take eight taught modules, five of which are core and three of which are chosen from a menu of options, plus a research thesis.
Core Modules
Students must complete the following five 30-credit core modules:
Optional Modules (all 30 credit except where stated)
The above list is indicative and not prescriptive.
This programme involves cross-School collaboration and a multi-disciplinary suite of optional modules. The modules are designed to ensure that students acquire interdisciplinary, theoretical and methodological research knowledge within the field of Childhood Studies. Modules are delivered in the Spring and Autumn each year in the splendid surroundings of the historic Graduate School which provides world-class graduate education creating synergy between academic and business communities.
Recognise and champion the uniqueness of every child as you take an holistic 'whole child' approach to the study of children and the issues that affect them and their families. Using the latest research, you will explore the theoretical and conceptual terrain of childhood to inform and develop your own practice. This course will enable you to specialise your study through two distinct routes - Early Years and Children & Young People.
The Early Years route will see you apply a critical lens to young children's education and care within a variety of settings. The Children and Young People route will focus more closely on critically examining concepts, contexts and practice related to childhood.
We recognise that children are active social agents and meaning makers with the abiloty to both interpret and shape their social worlds. Therefore, each module has been designed to highlight the importance of the child's voice and children's participation.
To fit around your working patterns and personal commitments, you can study over one, two or three years through day, evening and Saturday face-to-face sessions or online via our Virtual Learning Environment.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Research Excellence Framework 2014: twice as many of our staff - 220 - were entered into the research assessment for 2014 compared to the number entered in 2008.
If you work with children and young people, this course will help you to progress to managerial or senior leadership level. It is also suitable should you wish to pursue a career working in early years or with children and young people in, for example, youth justice, child and family support, policy development and education, or should you want to pursue a doctoral qualification.
Few professions are as rewarding as those that nurture children’s developmental needs. Our non-licensure MS in Early Childhood Studies delivered through Tempo Learning™ will improve your ability to work with children in diverse environments so you can promote positive learning experiences for all children and will empower you to:
The MS in Early Childhood Studies program delivered through Tempo Learning™ by Walden is a custom-paced, competency-based education option for working professionals, meaning that your progress is measured by the mastery or demonstration of skills, abilities, and knowledge in a particular area of study.
Each competency we include in your path to a degree has been carefully designed by expert faculty with input from employers, with your education and future employment in mind.
This custom-paced online program allows you to learn and advance on your own schedule. Walden faculty engage proactively with you on each competency, sharing their expertise to ensure you gain the knowledge needed to impact your career. In addition, your real-life experience and prior knowledge can be used to demonstrate what you already know and potentially accelerate your progress to save time and money.
The MS in Early Childhood Studies program delivered through Tempo Learning™ by Walden offers specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals:
Prepare for a variety of roles in the early childhood field, including:
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