Early Years

Develop the skills and knowledge to be a leader and innovator in early years education with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years) and Master of Education (Early Years) programmes.  Through these programmes, you will:

  • Build on prior knowledge and experience in early years educational settings
  • Examine your beliefs and ways of working to deepen and develop your understandings and practices through engagement with research, theory, policy and other professionals.
  • Explore key areas that impact education for our youngest learners (birth through eight) - with the opportunities to dig deeply into the aspects of teaching and learning that you are most passionate about.

In addition, through the Master of Education (Early Years) programme you will collaborate with our research-active staff to advance your interests and skills by engaging in research and contributing to the New Zealand knowledge base in early years education.

Please note that neither programme will qualify you to be a registered teacher in New Zealand. If you want to be a teacher, please look at Massey’s offerings for initial teacher education.

 

What are our graduates saying?

 The impact of this course on myself and my colleagues [in early childhood education (ECE)] has been mirrored in the earlier courses in early years. Outstandingly superb courses with the common dominator of insightful, knowledgeable, and caring instructors. Thanks heaps [team] for all that you bring to not only your course guidance but to the wider influence on ECE in New Zealand. 
ECE kaiako and Early Years graduate
 I really valued that the content [of the early years programme] was entirely relevant for me as a primary school teacher. It made me think deeply about leadership practices and often the key points in the readings were synchronous with what was happening in my work. It gave me a new language with which to consider professional development and leadership roles, and it helped to deepen conversations with my colleagues about issues at work. 
Primary school kaiako and Early Years graduate

 

What is the structure of these programmes?

In the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Years), you must complete 120 credits.  If you study full-time, you'll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

The Master of Education is a parts-based qualification of 180 credits. That means you must complete the first part made up of course work, before moving to the second part made up of engagement in research. 

Course work (professional inquiry) pathway (60 credit course with research report)

To progress to Part Two through the professional inquiry pathway you will need a minimum B grade average in the first 120 credits of courses.

Research (thesis) pathway (90 credit thesis)

To progress to Part Two through the research thesis pathway you will achieve a minimum B+ grade average in the first 90 credits of courses.

 

What courses can you enrol in?

In addition to the core courses that appear on the previous page, you will also enrol for some of the following:

Early Years endorsement courses

Course code & title *

Description

265736 Informed Practice in Early Years Education

This course offers a critical study of the notions of quality in learning settings from infancy through to early school years. Content focuses on how to engage with and interpret different forms of evidence, including research, to inform practice.  Opportunity is provided for exploration of key issues and implications for pedagogical leadership.

265737 Young Children, Families, Whānau and Communities

This course offers a critical study of theory, research and policy relating to young children, families, whānau and communities. Content includes exploration of key theoretical perspectives, longitudinal research, and national and international policy that influences the lives of children, families, and whānau. Implications for young children, their families and whānau in the context of education and community will be explored.

265738 Fostering Children’s Learning Through Play-based Pedagogy

This course introduces students to teaching practices in education settings from infancy through to early school years. Content includes the significance of intentional teaching and play in early childhood education and school settings as well as play-based, social-emotional, place-based and inquiry-based pedagogies. Opportunity is provided to critically examine pedagogy focused on te tiriti based partnerships, localised curriculum and culturally responsive practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

* All listed courses are 30 credits

 

Where are these programmes available?

In both programmes you will study online at distance.  Both programmes are open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.

 

Who should you contact?

Associate Professor Tara McLaughlin
T.W.McLaughlin@massey.ac.nz

 

A postgraduate qualification in Early Years is a good fit if you:

  • want to engage with other teachers and professionals
  • are passionate about early years teaching and children’s learning
  • want to build on your knowledge and enhance your professional skills.
  • want to access current and relevant research and thinking in early years.