Masters Degrees (Childhood)

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.

Key Features of Childhood Studies

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

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

Staff Expertise

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

Postgraduate Community

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.

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MA Childhood Studies is based on an informed and critical approach to the academic study of childhood and youth and is intended to reflect both the desires and ambitions of postgraduate students and the philosophical traditions and current developments in the social studies of childhood and youth.

This taught Masters course has been developed for postgraduate students or senior professionals interested in specialised or advanced study of childhood and youth. It will, therefore, be of particular interest to those wishing to be or already employed in the children and young people’s workforce. In line with recent international developments in social studies of childhood and youth, the MA Childhood Studies is transdisciplinary in approach but has a strong emphasis on perspectives drawn from sociology, social policy, geography, anthropology and history. The course is informed by the United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) framework and draws on current methodological standpoints in childhood and youth research that emphasis participation. It is committed to adopting a ‘child/young person - centred’ philosophy throughout, and reflects the principles of protecting the rights and interests of children and young people and the increasing importance of participation. The changing conditions of childhood and youth and the ways in which children and young people themselves experience and understand their everyday lives is emphasised.

The aims of the MA (including PG Dip/PG Cert) Childhood Studies are:

• To offer an innovative, dynamic and flexible programme that critically considers developments in the academic study of childhood and the changing contexts of childhood and youth in a globalised world.
• To critically explore the cultural and social constructions of childhood and youth and the implications that they have had and continue to have on children and young people’s everyday lives.
• To advance students’ knowledge of the complexity of understanding the relationship between children’s rights, the ideologies and responsibilities for welfare and the lived realities of children’s and young people’s diverse experiences.
• To provide a robust theoretical framework for students to develop an integrated and critically aware understanding of childhood and youth studies and to cultivate a critical and analytical approach to contemporary methodological advances in childhood research.
• To develop in students a range of intellectual skills reflecting both the ethos of lifelong learning and the rigour required at M level, a high level of student autonomy and self-direction in order to facilitate the student to demonstrate initiative, originality alongside integrity and ethical judgement in their advanced scholarship and to become influential and effective specialists in the field of childhood and youth studies.

The MA Childhood Studies course is delivered on a flexible, blended learning basis using both traditionally taught elements of the course with lectures, seminars and tutorials during study days, weekend learning programmes and a research summer school and through new media technologies and the online learning environment. Combined, these provide an effective and dynamic space for engaging students and effectively promoting student learning through a knowledge sharing philosophy.

The course team have a commitment to high quality teaching and they incorporate a wide variety of technological tools and learning and teaching techniques to form a collaborative space that enables a seamless transition between classroom based and online learning. Tutors are able to monitor understanding and clarify and expand on points quickly and efficiently to support student learning. Using audio and video, online lectures, links to key reading and relevant web based materials these methods of technology enhanced learning are part of a blended learning programme. whilst some modules can be studied by students at a time and pace that best suits them, other modules have a more structured approach in their design and students access the course content on a week by week basis. All modules are designed to offer students a shared learning experience with other students and module tutors. They involve discussion boards and blogs and more interactive learning tools and techniques as well as the self-study materials, downloadable documents, email, eportfolio||, podcasts and vodcasts found throughout the course.

Students will require access to Broadband either at home, in their workplace or in a public library and standard PC or MAC technology. Ipods/Mp3 players would be helpful to also facilitate mobile learning for students to download and listen to podcasts.

The course uses a range of different assessment strategies, which could include: essays and reports; critical reviews and commentaries; analytical exercises; individual or group presentations; a project-based or work-experience report; a dissertation; computer-based assessments and informed discussion and debate via module Blogs.

Most modules run along the UCS based semester September to June but the actual arrangement of the taught content of the modules varies. Some modules can be accessed and studied on a more flexible, independent basis than others allowing greater autonomy in student learning whilst other modules follow a more structured approach and provide a more formalised approach to learning with study days, weekend workshop or a summer school. All modules fulfil UCS requirements in providing the necessary hours of study for students to succeed and obtain credits and masters level. A full-time student is expected to study 3 modules in one year, giving 120 credits and undertake a 60 credit research dissertation. A part-time student will take either 40, 60 or 80 credits per year as taught modules and finally the 60 credit research dissertation.

Students can expect to have to study between four to five hours per module each week and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in additional reading and set learning activities and preparing for assignments. Students will be provided with timetables and learning schedules when they join the course. Personal tutorial advice is a key feature of the course and the course team offer students support either on a face-to-face basis, via telephone or personalised blog.

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This distance-learning programme is designed for professionals working within the early childhood workforce, including those who may not be working directly with children but are involved in developing the early childhood workforce, such as further education lecturers and local authority advisors.

More about this course

This course is a high quality, contemporary and coherent programme that has been designed to meet the needs of professionals working within the early childhood workforce.

The MA offers you an opportunity to advance your knowledge, understanding and professional practice through engagement with current research and thinking in early childhood. It also involves a reflection on and analysis of your own professional practice. A commitment to equality, diversity, social justice and advocacy are themes central to this programme.

The course is delivered by distance learning using an interactive online platform and individual academic support from tutors. As well as academic content the interactive online platform includes podcasts, video, online discussions and links to identified reading – either as scanned chapters or through access to our wide range of online books and academic journals.

The early childhood studies team has a long history of developing accessible study for the early childhood workforce. London Met was one of the first universities to offer an undergraduate programme designed for those working within the early childhood workforce – both as a face-to-face and distance learning programme.

The course is underpinned by the following aims to:
-Develop a detailed understanding of current research and thinking in the field of early childhood
-Continuously appraise research and theory and reflect on its impact on early childhood provision and practice with an emphasis on students’ own professional practice
-Develop a sophisticated understanding of the historical, economic, social, cultural and political contexts which impact on the lives of young children and their families
-Develop a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to issues of equality and diversity, social justice and advocacy in relation to the field of early childhood

You are assessed through coursework as well as a dissertation.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2016/17 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:
-Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood (core, 30 credits)
-Distinctive Approaches in Early Childhood Education and Care (core, 30 credits)
-Research Methods and the Dissertation (core, 60 credits)
-Creativity in Early Childhood (option, 30 credits)
-Equality and Inclusion in Early Childhood (option, 30 credits)
-Foundations of Being (option, 30 credits)

After the course

Career opportunities and potential continuing professional development include:
-Advisers to local and national government
-Further and higher education tutors
-Leadership roles within early childhood
-Doctoral research

Moving to one campus

Between 2016 and 2020 we're investing £125 million in the London Metropolitan University campus, moving all of our activity to our current Holloway campus in Islington, north London. This will mean the teaching location of some courses will change over time.

Whether you will be affected will depend on the duration of your course, when you start and your mode of study. The earliest moves affecting new students will be in September 2017. This may mean you begin your course at one location, but over the duration of the course you are relocated to one of our other campuses. Our intention is that no full-time student will change campus more than once during a course of typical duration.

All students will benefit from our move to one campus, which will allow us to develop state-of-the-art facilities, flexible teaching areas and stunning social spaces.

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Childhood and Youth is a growing field of inquiry across the social sciences. This MSc offers an opportunity to study in one of the UK's leading centres for childhood and youth based research.

This course is aimed at practitioners, policy makers and postgraduate students who want to develop their knowledge of childhood and youth and consider what it means to conduct research with children and young people at an advanced level.

It offers the opportunity to examine leading theories, methodologies and research evidence in order to understand the relationship between the conceptualisation of childhood, methodological approaches to researching with children and young people and the social impact of childhood policies and practices in a variety of social and cultural contexts and across the young life course.

Distinctive features

A distinctive feature of this programme is that two of the modules are taught as a cluster of stand-alone, day-long workshops, each focusing on cutting-edge policy and research issues. These workshops are especially designed for practitioners and policy makers who want to enhance their substantive or methodological knowledge on key areas of childhood and youth policy and practice. They also provide the opportunity for students on the full programme to engage with contemporary issues and debates through a more focused and practical lens, with leading specialists in the field.

The programme also offers exciting opportunities for you to work in an interdisciplinary social science environment and to benefit from a breadth of substantive, theoretical and methodological expertise with leading childhood and youth scholars. Members of our Childhood and Youth Research Group operate at the forefront of public policy debates, advising and steering at local and national levels on a range of contemporary issues (e.g. 'sexualisation', 'domestic violence', 'adoption') and drawing on their own research.

Structure

The course can be completed in one year with full-time study or in two years by part-time study.

A 20-credit module comprises 200 hours of study, including about 30 hours of contact time, and the MSc as a whole, 1800 hours of study.

The MSc in Childhood and Youth comprises up to three 20-credit specialist modules in childhood and youth, two 30-credit modules in social science theory and research methods, and one 60-credit supervised dissertation on a childhood and youth topic of your choice.

For a list of modules for the FULL-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/childhood-and-youth-msc

For a list of the modules for the PART-TIME route, please see website:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/childhood-and-youth-msc-part-time

Teaching

Our teaching is research-informed and led by researchers and scholars in one of the foremost childhood and youth studies research groups in the UK. The programme benefits from being located in an inter-disciplinary environment so that in parts of the course, you will come into contact with staff and students from other subject areas and, in other parts of the course, with staff and students in the same substantive area.

Modules employ a diverse range of teaching including lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and independent guided study. All modules within the programme make use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and information on assessment.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by a combination of essays, reports, reviews and presentations.

Career Prospects

Graduates from this programme will have a theoretical, methodological and substantive foundation from which they can critically evaluate how contemporary social structures, institutions, media, policies and practices impact upon children and young people's everyday lives.

This makes the programme suitable if you wish to work in child and youth-focused research, policy and advocacy roles in the private, public and voluntary sector, both nationally and internationally. It also provides a good foundation for those wishing to go on to further training in a variety of professional fields involving work with children and young people, such as education, health and social care, family policy, youth work, justice, international development and charity work.

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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.

Professional Development

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.

After You Graduate

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.

All applicants must submit the following:

- 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

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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

Course detail

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.

Suitability

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.

Format

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.

Assessment

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.

What can I do next?

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.

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx

Funding

-Masters Loans-

From 2016/17 government loans of up to £10,000 are available for postgraduate Masters study. The loans will be paid directly to students by the Student Loans Company and will be subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

For more information available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/funding-your-postgraduate-degree.aspx

-2017/18 Entry Financial Support-

Information on alternative funding sources is available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/2017-18-entry-financial-support.aspx

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Overview

This degree provides you with an opportunity to undertake advanced study in early childhood, to enhance your professional knowledge and extend your knowledge of related areas in early childhood. You will learn about current research and engage critically in theoretical and policy debates of importance to early childhood educators.

Please note that this degree does NOT provide a teaching qualification in early childhood.

See the website http://courses.mq.edu.au/international/postgraduate/master/master-of-early-childhood

Key benefits

- Enables you to study in your own time by using a variety of online discussion tools or virtual classrooms
- Lets you select units that focus on a particular area of to match your interests, abilities and career goals
- Gives you transferable analytical and research skills
- Offers direct access to experts who are active researchers and are recognised world wide through their publications

Suitable for

Those keen to continue early childhood studies at an advanced level. Those who have a three year Early Childhood teaching degree can use this course to obtain a fourth year qualification.

Please note This degree does NOT provide a teaching qualification in early childhood.

The Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood can be used as a starting point for postgraduate studies. With academic advice in selecting the units of study, you may be eligible to move into this Masters degree.

Recognition of prior learning

Course Duration
- 1.5 year program
Bachelors degree in a relevant field
and academic practicum or work experience in a relevant area.

- 1 year program
MQ Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood

- Relevant disciplines
Education, Nursing, Social Work and/or Psychology.

- Relevant areas
Work experience deemed by the Faculty to be relevant to the program of study

English language requirements

IELTS of 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each band, or equivalent

All applicants for undergraduate or postgraduate coursework studies at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.
For more information see English Language Requirements. http://mq.edu.au/study/international/how_to_apply/english_language_requirements/

You may satisfy the English language requirements if you have completed:
- senior secondary studies equivalent to the NSW HSC
- one year of Australian or comparable tertiary study in a country of qualification

Careers

Career Opportunities
This degree can enhance your employment opportunities when working with young children and their families in diverse settings. Academic advice is available to assist you to make decisions from a long-term perspective.

Please note that this degree does not provide a teaching qualification in early childhood.

See the website http://courses.mq.edu.au/international/postgraduate/master/master-of-early-childhood

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Taught at our Riverside Campus in Chester, our MA in Early Childhood is designed to meet the interests of a wide range of participants from nurseries, universities, colleges, schools and local authorities.

Early Childhood is a unique phase in the life of a child and, as such, requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise from those working in the sector. Our MA in Early Childhood aims to support you to develop an in-depth understanding of a wide range of topics related to early childhood.

Why Study Early Childhood with us?

Our MA in Early Childhood is designed to meet the interests of a wide range of participants from nurseries, schools, universities, colleges and local authorities, as well as professionals working with young children outside of education – for example in children’s services and health and social care. The common factor for all potential participants is the desire to develop their expertise in the field of early childhood.

The blend of students from different professional backgrounds enables discussion, debate and the sharing of experiences in a supportive and welcoming environment, facilitated by staff who are experts in the field of early childhood.

What will I learn?

Our course is highly relevant to practice and to the exploration and development of professional work in a range of early childhood settings. The course will enable you to research key issues of personal interest in the field of early childhood.

We offer a wide range of modules, which cover topics such as child development, leadership and management, reflective practice and contemporary debates in early childhood.

How will I be taught?

The MA in Early Childhood is based at Riverside Campus. The course has been structured to integrate with the work patterns of busy professionals. You will use web-based materials, email and scanned resources, and will be supported with direct contact concentrated in six Saturday schools throughout the year.

How will I be assessed?

We use a variety of assessment methods, including digital presentations, essays and critical reflections, which all enable you to apply the topics studied to your own area of personal interest.

It is recommended that you spend some time each week working on your degree, which could involve reading, researching or writing. In addition, tutors are available for tutorial support whenever is convenient, in face-to-face meetings, by phone/Skype or by online tutorial. This supplements the taught sessions which take place on six Saturdays throughout the year.

Postgraduate Visit Opportunities

If you are interested in this courses we have a number of opportunities to visit us and our campuses. To find out more about these options and to book a visit, please go to: https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-visit-opportunities

Request a Prospectus

If you would like to know more about the University please request a prospectus at: http://prospectus.chester.ac.uk/form.php

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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.

Course content

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.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation 60 credits
• Theorising Childhood and Youth 30 credits
• Research with Children and Young People 30 credits

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

Learning and teaching

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.

Assessment

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.

Placement opportunities

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.

Career opportunities

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.

Careers support

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

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Advance your knowledge of young children’s learning and develop your early years practice and professionalism. Explore areas of personal interest in early childhood education and care whilst also enhancing your research skills. There will also be opportunities to visit different early years settings.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/early-childhood-education

If you have a degree in early childhood studies, pre-school education or a related subject, our MA offers a great opportunity to explore aspects of young children’s lives in more depth, examining current policies and practices to build on your existing knowledge. If that’s you, why not take this opportunity to boost your skills and knowledge? You’ll be able to link your newly-learned theories and research with your practice from the start, boosting your contribution to your workplace and enhancing your career prospects. Taught by experienced tutors who are passionate about using insights from research to enhance the lives of young children and their families. The course focusses on early childhood education from birth until eight years old and you'll graduate with a valuable postgraduate qualification.

Teaching times: Tuesday evenings (5-8pm) plus day time study for full-time students; Tuesday evenings only for part-time students. For all part-time students and for full-time students starting in January, there are two Saturday day schools and a daytime summer school in the last week of July in trimester 3.

For the June intake you can only choose to study part-time.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/early-childhood-education

Careers

Are you working with children, or do you intend to work with children in the future? If so, our MA will enhance your career. It provides a highly relevant professional development opportunity for you whether you’re an early years or pre-school teacher, a manager in a childcare setting, a family support worker or an early years consultant. It’s also a great starting point if you’re looking for a career in academia and is a step towards a PhD or EdD.

- Work placements
There are no formal work placements for this course. If you’re already working in an early years environment then you can immediately put your new skills and experience into practice. Our course also gives you the opportunity to visit different early years settings thanks to our links with local nurseries. If you’re interested in gaining experience as a researcher you may be able to get involved with research projects run by our Department of Education and the Early Childhood Research Group.

Core modules

Investigating Education through Research
Major Project

Optional modules:
Early Childhood - Principles, Practice & Professionalism
Specialist Studies in Early Childhood Education and Care
Professional Enquiry for Early Childhood
National & International Policy Perspectives

You will take 3 optional modules from the above list. The availability of modules will depend on whether you are a full-time or part-time student and on when you start your course. More information and guidance will be available from your course leader. All modules are subject to change.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways including presentations and written assignments as well as group work and peer reviews. For each 30 credit module you’ll complete an assessment of 6,000 words or equivalent. Your Major Project will usually be a written research report of around 15,000 words.

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This contemporary Masters from Liverpool John Moores University is aimed at graduates and graduate practitioners keen to examine international approaches to early childhood education (ECE).

•Unique in the UK, this contemporary Masters degree invites graduates and graduate-level practitioners to explore international approaches to early childhood education (ECE)

•Compare Montessori’s ideas with other approaches

•Learn from highly respected, research-active staff and early childhood professionals

•Critically engage with the theoretical and practical issues of ECE

•Enhance your learning with a European placement (also open to international students)

•This course will only run subject to minimum numbers

The programme comprises philosophy modules, research modules and international policy modules.

The philosophy modules emphasise a critical view of educational knowledge, the research modules consider the methodological implications of research skills and the international policy modules focus on the practical application of global childhood education. All of these themes then converge in the Dissertation module.

The course is taught by research-active staff with practical experience and close links to education providers in Sweden (Gothenburg) and Italy (Reggio Emilia). You can enhance your academic learning with a two month Erasmus work placement, gaining a valuable insight into the impact of different European cultures on their approaches to education.


The course can be studied full or part time. There are timetabled study sessions one day a week, with the emphasis on independent, self-guided study. The two month placement is, however, full time.

On joining the course you will be allocated a personal tutor who, alongside programme and module leaders and administrators, will be on hand to offer guidance throughout the course.

You will also have access to:

•24 hour learning support via Blackboard

•an MRes introductory weekend

•various programme, student and module guides

•LJMU counselling services

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Research Methods
You will identify and critically evaluate different research methodologies and methods pertinent to research with young children.

Philosophies of Early Childhood Education
This module explores personal views around the purpose of education and progresses to critically reflect on different philosophies of Education in relation to early childhood education, such as Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilia. In doing so you will develop and identify a personal philosophy of education.

The Critically Reflective Practitioner
This module involves critically reflecting on personal values, beliefs and assumptions in relation to early childhood practice. You will demonstrate the implications of relevant theory and research on your own practice having engaged in a critically reflective process.

ECE Curricula in an International Context
This module will enable you to develop a critically reflexive lens in exploring ideologies within a framework of curriculum theory in an international context.


Democracy and Participation in ECE
This module will develop your critical understanding of the rationale, issues and debates related to enhancing the democratic participation of diverse groups of young children in a range of education and care contexts in order to plan for future research and practice.

Global Issues, Childhoods and Education
This module critically examines contemporary global issues affecting children and their families drawing on key debates in education and care. In doing so, you will use your comprehensive knowledge base to focus on a global case study pertinent to early childhood education and care and critically analyse it.

Dissertation
This module will provide you with the opportunity to integrate the skills, facts, theory and practice that have been developed as part of engaging with the previous modules. You will design and carry out an empirically based research project.

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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.

Degree information

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
-Children's Rights in Practice
-Social Theory
-Theories of Childhood and Society

Optional modules
-Researching Childhood*
-Understanding Research

*recommended

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 20,000 words.

Teaching and learning
Taught modules run in the evenings and/or over a one-week intensive block. Teaching is delivered face-to-face and through lectures, discussions and debates, and analysis of readings, images, and films. In addition there are tutorials for essays and dissertation preparation. Participants are encouraged to reflect upon their own experiences and backgrounds in teaching sessions. Each core module is assessed by 5,000-word written assignments.

Careers

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.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Project Worker, Barnado's
-Research Advocacy Officer, Approach Ltd

Why study this degree at UCL?

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.

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• A letter of intent written by the applicant expressing professional and educational goals as applied to the program.
• Submission of three letters of recommendation, using the required recommendation form.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae.

E-mail: [email protected] • Phone: 315-267-2165

Visit http://www.potsdam.edu/graduate to view the full application checklist and online application.

The Master of Science for Teachers in Childhood Education has been designed to meet certification regulations of the New York State Education Department, as well as the standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This program is also nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) and leads to Initial/Professional Childhood certification (Grades 1-6). Program start dates: Summer, Fall, Spring; Program also available at Watertown JCC campus.

Required Program Courses
Minimum of 47 credit hours
(Prerequisite coursework may be required prior to, or concurrent with, program studies.)

GRED 530, Classroom Management and Discipline ................3 credits
GRED 558, Literacy I: Methods (Childhood) .........................3 credits
GRED 559, Literacy II: Methods (Childhood) ........................3 credits
GRED 565, Elementary Mathematics: Content and Methods ......3 credits
GRED 566, Elementary Science: Content and Methods .............3 credits
GRED 567, Elementary Social Studies: Content and Methods .....3 credits
GRED 607, Foundations of Education (B-6) .........................3 credits
GRED 664, Practicum in Childhood Education .....................3 credits

Education Elective: 3 credit hours

GRED 613, Teaching Internship, Grades 1–3 ........................6 credits
GRED 669, Professional Development Performance Portfolio ......3 credits
GRED 676, Student Teaching Seminar ................................2 credits
GRED 696, Teaching Internship, Grades 4–6 ........................6 credits

GRED 677 is required if the candidate’s undergraduate work does not include a course in developmental, adolescent, or educational psychology. This course may count as the education elective, with permission of the advisor.

The GRE Exam (or equivalent) is required for all teacher preparation program candidates who are seeking certification (for applicants seeking admission for Fall 2015 forward). All other graduate programs, including non-certification options, do not require this exam. More information on the GRE exam can be found by visiting http://www.gre.org. SUNY Potsdam’s code for sending score reports is 2545.

Uniqueness of Program

The MST Childhood Education program is both NCATE accredited and nationally recognized by the ACEI. Candidates may complete most, but not all, of their degree requirements in the Watertown area if they choose. Also, Canadian students who complete this program and all New York State teacher certification requirements are eligible to apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for Ontario certification at the primary/ junior divisions. This program is intended for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate and seek to earn certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). Candidates may begin enrollment in the fall, spring, or summer terms.

Testimonial

“Potsdam’s graduate program afforded me great opportunities that allowed me to excel as a future educator and stand out among a crowded field of job seekers.” —John Liquori ’14

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About the course

The Anthropology of Childhood, Youth and Education MSc was the first degree of its kind in the world when it was established and is still unique in its thoroughgoing anthropological perspective on what it is to be a child or to be young.

Its key organising principle is that understanding children requires the study of how their relations with others - peers, older and younger children, parents, teachers and other adults - inform their practices, identities and world views.

This course addresses the following issues from an anthropological perspective:
Do children of ‘different cultures’ live ‘different worlds’?
How does education impact upon children’s worlds and upon social and cultural practices more broadly?
How do everyday processes of learning – both formal and informal - help to shape children’s ideas of and engagement with society at large?
What is the role of schools in the transmission and acquisition of cultural values to children and youth?
And why are adults’ ideas about childhood and youth so important for what children learn and aspire to become?

The distinctiveness of this degree derives from an anthropological approach that focuses on the importance of children’s and youth’s perspectives, and on the role that education (formal and informal) plays in children’s learning processes and in the transmission and acquisition of cultural knowledge.

Anthropology at Brunel is well-known for its focus on ethnographic fieldwork: as well as undertaking rigorous intellectual training, all our students are expected to get out of the library and undertake their own, original research – whether in the UK or overseas – and to present their findings in a dissertation. Students take this opportunity to travel to a wide variety of locations across the world – see “Special Features” for more details.

Attendance for lectures full-time: 2 days per week - for 24 weeks
Attendance for lectures part-time: 1 day per week - for 24 weeks (in each of 2 years)

Aims

Through an examination of ethnographic cases from around the world (including the UK), you will learn about the different ways in which childhood and youth are understood and conceptualised.

You will explore the different educational forms and processes through which cultural knowledge is transmitted and acquired, and how culture impacts upon these processes.

Course Content

The course is designed to show postgraduate students how anthropological approaches can be used to gain access to and understand children and young people's lived experience, their ideas about the world and themselves, and their relations with peers and adults. In so doing, it aims to provide a rigorous grounding in key anthropological ideas and research methods and to show how a comparative social analysis illuminates our understanding of ourselves and other people.

The MSc consists of both compulsory and optional modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.

Full time

Compulsory modules:

Compulsory Reading Module: Political and Economic Issues in Anthropology
Compulsory Reading Module: Contemporary Anthropological Theory
Ethnographic Research Methods 1
Ethnographic Research Methods 2
Dissertation in Childhood, Youth and Education
The Anthropology of Childhood
The Anthropology of Youth

Optional modules:

Anthropology of the Body
Anthropology of the Person
Kinship, Sex and Gender
Ethnicity, Identity and Culture
Global Agendas on Young People, Rights and Participation*
Foundation Disciplines of Education*
Literature Policy and Analysis*
International Development, Children and Youth

Part-time

Year 1 compulsory modules:

Compulsory Reading Module: Political and Economic Issues in Anthropology
Compulsory Reading Module: Contemporary Anthropological Theory
The Anthropology of Childhood
The Anthropology of Youth
Anthropology of Education
Anthropology of Learning

Year 2 compulsory modules:

Dissertation in Childhood, Youth and Education
Ethnographic Research Methods 1
Ethnographic Research Methods 2
and optional modules

Special Features

Our course team has worked in countries across the globe including South, West and East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, as well as Britain.

All our degrees (whether full- or part-time) combine intensive coursework, rigorous training in ethnographic research methods, and a period of fieldwork in the summer term (final summer term if part-time) leading to a 15,000 word dissertation.

Students are free to choose their own research topic and geographic area, in consultation with their academic supervisor. In all cases, the dissertation research project provides valuable experience and in many cases it leads to job contacts – forming a bridge to a future career or time out for career development.

In recent years, students have undertaken fieldwork in locations across the world, including India, Mexico, Bolivia, Papua New Guinea, China, Nepal, Peru, Morocco, and New Zealand as well as within the UK and the rest of Europe.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

You will be taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and film.

Assessment

Assessment is variously by essay, practical assignments (e.g. analysis of a short field exercise), and a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words. This dissertation is based upon fieldwork undertaken by the candidate. There are no examinations.

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About the course

This course blends distance learning with face-to-face teaching. It’s open to early childhood professionals anywhere in the world, including early years practitioners, FE and HE lecturers, teachers, nursery nurses, voluntary and independent providers, and inspectors and managers working in areas relevant to early childhood.

Wherever you are in the world, you’ll develop the skills you need to carry out high-quality educational research relevant to your own culture. Those skills include a clearer understanding of the policies, practice and theories that underpin your work. You’ll discuss international approaches and educational change with leading experts.

Your career

We offer postgraduate courses that will launch your career in education or aid your continuing professional development.

Our graduates work in the UK and overseas in schools, universities, and local and national government. Some are teachers and lecturers. Others use their skills in policy development, education, administration, psychology and social work.

About us

We value creative teaching that challenges inequalities in the education system. We believe in increasing opportunities for education, for everyone. Our research has a direct impact on educational theory, policy and practice. We’re supporting the development of children, families and learning communities through dedicated research centres.

You’ll learn from world-class academics such as Professor Cathy Nutbrown and Professor Dan Goodley. Cathy, who teaches on three of our postgraduate courses, won an Outstanding Impact in Society award in 2013 for her work on literacy. Dan’s work on disability in education has been described as ground breaking.

Our research seminar programme gives you access to the latest findings, often before they’re published. The University’s library has online catalogues and databases, e-books and e-journals.

Structure, teaching and assessment

All MA courses follow a similar pattern with two core modules (1 and 4) and two subject-specific modules (2 and 3).

Teaching and learning takes place via lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion, active inquiry and investigations. Regular meetings with a personal tutor support and encourage your learning and understanding.

A weekly tutorial and a Study of Education course accompanies the taught modules.

There are no formal written examinations and assessment is by coursework and a 15–20,000-word dissertation.

Core modules

Early Childhood Education: history and policy; Development Learning and Curriculum; Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education; Research Methods in Early Childhood Education; Dissertation (Early Childhood Education).

Teaching

You’ll study mostly at home, staying in contact with your tutor by telephone, post and email. You must attend five residential weekends in Sheffield during the two years of the course.

Assessment

Each module is assessed through a 6,000- word assignment. A final 15–20,000-word dissertation represents one-third of the MA (60 credits out of 180). On completion, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for doctoral study on our Early Childhood Education EdD.

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