Master of Teaching - Early Childhood

Southern Cross University

Our two-year Master of Teaching program qualifies you to be a teacher in Australia, and many countries overseas. Teaching is a career in which you can make a positive and life-long impact on the lives of children and young people. You can choose to specialise in early childhood education, primary education, or secondary education. Please see below for availabilities and start dates for each specialisation. As well as undertaking an education research project, this course includes professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education settings, schools, and/or community sites of a total 480 hours (60 days). Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed in Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning days must be completed, and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated. Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Education students across Australia need to attempt the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) in their first year of study and successfully complete the LANTITE. Early Childhood Initial Teacher Education students do not have to do the LANTITE. Undertaking full-time study may be required from January to December (6 teaching terms) depending on your program of study. From 2026, Southern Cross University’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses no longer require applicants to complete a non-academic selection statement. This change reflects a national update to the Initial Teacher Education Accreditation Standards and has been approved by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for all SCU ITE programs. Please note, primary and secondary education require the completion of previous studies related to teaching areas. For secondary, if you have not already completed these studies, you may be required to complete additional units as part of your degree. Students seeking to transfer to another degree, such as the Graduate Diploma of Teaching, are advised to contact Client/Student Services for guidance and support. The Early Childhood specialisation qualifies you to become an early childhood teacher (six-weeks to five-years).

Faculty of Education

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