Early Childhood Studies (M.A)

Course Overview

The Masters of Arts (Early Childhood Studies) reflects evolving understandings of early education, childhood, family life, play and pedagogical philosophies as they inform practice and policy development in the Early Childhood Education and Care field. Students will engage with contemporary, post-structural and critical theories, as they explore evolving policy, social research and integrated working as well as professional leadership and practice. Cutting across all modules and underpinning the ethos of the course is a children’s rights perspective, facilitated through a strong reflective element. Students are supported to analyse, critique and challenge dominant discourses within the practice and policy environment. Reflection will facilitate an interrogation of the knowledge(s), skills and values the student brings to their studies, and later practice, as well as support analysis of on-going developments in ECEC, in Ireland and internationally. This programme will draw from leading theory, research, policy and practice, at advanced levels in the early childhood education and care field.

Areas of study include:

• Historical examination of childhood and family life
• Contemporary understandings of play, pedagogy and early learning
• Working in trans and inter-disciplinary contexts and styles
• Developing knowledge, values and skills related to leadership, mentorship and family support through ECEC
• Developing critical research skills, including the involvement of key stakeholders, such as young children and families, in empirical research studies
• Bringing a child’s rights and child safeguarding lens to all areas of the course.

The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for professionals working in the early years sector, in complimentary professions, or those with an interest in early childhood education and care, to extend their knowledge, skills and abilities through post graduate study at an established University, delivered in flexible and accessible manner.

Early Childhood Education and Care is a dynamic, progressive, well-developed field of academic study and professional practice, with a rich scholarly and research tradition. Graduates of this Level 9 Masters’ Degree are well positioned to take up leadership roles, associated with the rapidly evolving support, development, mentoring, inspecting and research elements of the field. These roles are realized through increasing state investment to enhance the quality of early educational provision, through the establishment of underpinning supports and services.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Course Outline

The Masters of Arts (Early Childhood Studies) responds to the needs of professionals working in or supporting the early childhood education and care field, and may also be attractive to individuals with a particular interest in the area. The course design complements and supports continued employment, however, it is not restricted to those employed in early years practice settings. This part-time, blended, distance-learning course focuses on the evolving policy, practice and research environment in early childhood education and care in Ireland, contextualized within the Europe Union, and with influences from International actors.

The course content reflects contemporary approaches to, and understandings of family life, childhood, play and pedagogical philosophies as they inform the early childhood education and care field. Students will engage with advanced and critical theories, exploring evolving policy, social research, child safeguarding, integrated inter-disciplinary practices, as well as professional leadership and practice. Cutting across all modules and underpinning the ethos of the course will be an inclusive, children’s rights perspective, facilitated through a strong reflective element. This supports students to analyse, critique and challenge dominant discourses, perceived values as well as the on-going developments across the practice and policy landscapes.

This course provides opportunities for professionals working in the early childhood education and care field, in complimentary professions or those with an interest in early childhood contexts, to extend their knowledge, skills and abilities through post-graduate study at an established University, delivered in a flexible and accessible manner.

On successful completion of this course, graduates will demonstrate the following programme learning outcomes:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories in relation to the early childhood period.
• An ability to analyse and critique iterations of play, learning and pedagogical approaches in early childhood settings from varied theoretical perspectives.
• The ability to effectively engage with other professionals and awareness of the value of integrated working across a variety of services and agencies.
• An in-depth knowledge of the evolution of family life and childhood from a historical perspective to present-day understandings.
• The ability to take a children’s rights perspective across all content, in particular, on the issues of child protection, risk and vulnerability, safeguarding children and promoting wellbeing through early childhood practice, policy and research.
• The theoretical and research informed knowledge and skills to adapt a strengths-based approach to working with families and children.
• The knowledge and skills to hold leadership positions within the emerging and varied professions in the practice, policy, teaching and research areas of the early childhood education and care sector.
• Specialist knowledge accrued through the development of a social research project. 
• An ability to facilitate children as active researchers and to ensure the voice of the child is privileged through the research process.
• The ability to critically reflect and evaluate professional practice, early childhood policy, and dominant discourses in academic literature and research

The programme will be conducted on a part-time modular basis over 2 years through a combination of blended learning methods. The programme places a strong emphasis on experiential knowledge and skills, the capacity to study independently and as such places significant weighting on reflective engagement with assigned content, readings and self-directed participation in learning activities. This facilitates adult learners, with work and family commitments, to flexibly study at times that suit their needs and availability. Blended learning combines traditional learning approaches with distance and online learning and includes:

• Self-study learning materials
• Scholarly readings which are typically available online, through the university library
• A limited number of textbooks (to be purchased or accessed through the library)
• Workshop or classroom sessions (typically on Saturdays)
• On-line learning (on-line sessions, discussion boards, online collaboration, e-mail etc.)

The programme is innovative in its approach to outreach and distance education in the material covered, format and style of learning methods of teaching, student support and assessment.

Year 1 Programme Level Outcomes:

Reflecting the full set of overall programme learning outcomes, PLOs specifically related to Year 1 modules include:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories in relation to the early years period.
• An ability to analyse and critique iterations of play, learning and pedagogical approaches in early childhood settings from a theoretical perspective.
• The ability to effectively engage with other professionals and awareness of the value of integrated working across a variety of services and agencies.
• An in-depth knowledge of the evolution of family life and childhood from a historical perspective to present-day understandings.
• The ability to take a children’s rights perspective across all content, in particular, on the issues of child protection, risk and vulnerability, safeguarding children and promoting wellbeing through early years practice, policy and research.
• An ability to facilitate children as active researchers and to ensure the voice of the child is privileged through the research process.

Year 1 Modules:

The first year of this course is delivered through six modules. All are core. Other than the pre-requisites to apply for the full course, none of the modules listed have pre-requisites/co-requisites.

• Historical perspectives of childhood and family life (5ects).
• Contemporary Perspectives on play, learning and pedagogy (10ects)
• Integrated community-based work practices (5ects).
• Children’s rights and well-being: current issues (10ects).
• Research in the Social Sciences (10ects)
• Engaging children in the research process (5ects)

Year 2 Programme Level Outcomes:

Reflecting the full set of overall programme learning outcomes, PLOs specifically related to Year 2 modules include:

• The theoretical and research informed knowledge and skills to adapt a strengths-based approach to working with families and children.
• The knowledge and skills to hold leadership positions within the emerging and varied professions in the practice, policy, teaching and research areas of the early years care and education sector.
• Specialist knowledge accrued through the development of a social research project.
• An ability to facilitate children as active researchers and to ensure the voice of the child is privileged through the research process.
• The ability to critically reflect and evaluate professional practice, early years policy, and dominant discourses in academic literature and research.

Year 2 Modules:

The second year of this course is delivered through three modules. All are core. Other than the pre-requisites to apply for the full course, none of the modules listed have pre-requisites/co-requisites.

• Supporting Families through Early Years Provision (5ects)
• Leadership, Mentorship and Emerging Professions (10ects)
• Dissertation (30ects)

Exit Awards are offered (Level 9 Certificate in Early Childhood Studies, on completion of 30ects; Level 9 Diploma in Early Childhood Studies, on completion of 60ects) may be provided to those unable to complete the full 90ects Master’s Degree.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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