The MA Education (Early Childhood) provides an opportunity for graduates in the children’s workforce to progress onto postgraduate study in their subject area. It also provides access to modules from other related subject areas, as part of the course, to reflect the multi-professional nature of their interests.
It enables you to make choices that will support your developing expertise in particular areas within the wide range typical of the children’s workforce. It combines a social science and educational approach to research in this subject.
There are increasing numbers of graduates in the children’s workforce, and an increasing focus on continuing study and professional development. Many have taken advantage of the provision of study and training pathways for the Early Years Professional Status (a graduate status).
The full Masters award requires you to gain 180 credits, including an 18,000-20,000 research dissertation in a specialised area of your choice. Prior to a dissertation, students will complete four 30 credit modules. These will include:
The development of young children's' thinking and learning in socio-cultural context (30 credits)
This module provides an opportunity for adults working with children 3-7 year old to gain in-depth knowledge of the factors involved in children learning about and understanding this world. The findings of socio-cultural research are critically examined to indicate the contextual, linguistic and cognitive components of allocating meaning to, and making sense of, people, places and events.
Critical reflection for participation in the early years (30 credits)
This module will enable professionals to develop their knowledge and understanding of participation in the context of working with children. The module involves student engagement in dialogic reflective conversations as part of a series of structured workshops.
Students complete a third specialist module from the wider MA Education modules on offer and the core research methods module.
Students should note that some modules require access to educational contexts in order to gain professional experience or enquiry and research visits that lead to the completion of assignments. In some modules, assignments are structured to enable students to complete through drawing on reflection, prior experience or literature research. If fieldwork goes beyond the students workplace and involves access to children a new CRB clearance will have to be completed.
Applicants require a good honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
You will also need adequate experience within the children’s workforce It is expected that applicants can demonstrate engagement in CPD and provide a reference confirming their suitability to work at M level
Please note that a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is required for students where they are required to visit settings other than their own workplace and involves access to children.
In addition, overseas students will normally be required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent qualification that meets the UK Border Agency requirements.
The Early Childhood Studies team have a wide range of research interests including ethnographic studies of children’s experiences, international perspectives, children as participants in research, practitioner research, problem based learning, children’s voices, language and learning, leadership and many more. There are also experts from other related subject areas on the MA Education team with specialism in social, education and health subjects.
A Masters in Education will allow you to enhance your personal interests, career specific opportunities and show potential for promotion to senior leadership. For practicing teachers it can be a good way to enhance your opportunities to move beyond threshold, or simply become an ‘outstanding’ practitioner.
Students completing the MA will also be well placed to go on to a doctorate (EdD or PhD) at Liverpool Hope.
