COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) at Flinders University is a transformative 72-unit program, delivered over two years full-time or part-time equivalent, designed to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and professional disposition required to become impactful educators and advocates for young children. The curriculum spans developmental psychology, sociology, curriculum studies, and pedagogy, providing a comprehensive understanding of child development and learning while fostering graduates’ ability to champion social justice and equity in diverse early childhood contexts and communities. Students engage extensively in cooperative education and professional experience placements across both years, bridging the gap between theory and practice. These practical experiences allow participants to apply research-informed teaching strategies, work collaboratively and reflexively, and contribute meaningfully to curriculum and educational inquiries that enhance the learning and wellbeing of children, families, and the early childhood centres and schools they serve. By integrating academic study with hands-on experience, the program ensures graduates develop the competence, confidence, and critical reflective skills necessary to plan, implement, and evaluate effective early childhood programs. Emphasis is placed on creating inclusive, supportive, and equitable learning environments that acknowledge individual and social differences, promote holistic development, and prepare students to navigate contemporary challenges in early childhood education. Graduates emerge as highly skilled, adaptable, and forward-thinking professionals, ready to make a lasting impact on children’s learning outcomes, drive innovation in early childhood settings, and contribute to the advancement of the profession while fulfilling the professional and employment requirements of the early childhood sector in South Australia.