Masters in Early Childhood studies. Early Childhood Studies. Full Time and Part Time. Queens University, Belfast Stranmillis University College

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1 Date of Revision Date of Previous Revision Programme Specification A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University s Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual. Programme Title Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Studies Programme Code STR-MA-EC UCAS Code Criteria for Admissions (Please see General Regulations) Final Award (exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes) No code JACS Code Masters in Early Childhood studies Candidates for admission to the Master's-level programme should normally hold: o Hold a professional teaching qualification with an honours degree or equivalent qualification in education, early childhood studies, or the arts or social sciences or o Hold an honours degree or equivalent plus at least two years professional experience in an education, training or professionally relevant context or o Hold a degree or equivalent with at least 5 years professional experience in an education, training or professionally relevant context o Satisfy the University language requirements for International students Mode of Study (Full-time, Part-time, other) Type of Programme Single subject MA in Early Childhood Studies Full Time and Part Time Length of Programme From 1 to 5 years Total Credits for Programme 180 Awarding Institution/Body Teaching Institution School/Department Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level Queens University, Belfast Stranmillis University College Early Childhood Studies Level 7

2 dguidance QAA Benchmark Group y/subject guidance/pages/subject benchmarkstatements Collaborative Organisation and form of Collaboration (if applicable) Accreditations (PSRB) ATAS Clearance N/A External Examiner Name: Dr Ioanna Palaiologou Early Childhood Studies Date of next scheduled accreditation visit External Examiner Institution/Organisation Canterbury Christ Church University Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Yes No (If yes, please state here any exemptions to regulations which have been approved for this programme) Programme Specific Regulations Students with protected characteristics Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations (Please see General Regulations) Length of Programme.N/A Please indicate Yes/No Fitness to Practise programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practise rules 1 to 5 years

3 Educational Aims of Programme On completion of the programme the student will be able to: Please list below the overarching aims and objectives of the programme. The Masters in Early Childhood Studies aims to: Develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the specialist academic discipline of Early Childhood Studies to include the policy, practice and theory covered in the programme; Support the development of early year s professionals as they apply analysis, synthesis and evaluative skills to the research and study of the field of early years care and education; Nurture skills of critical analysis and reflective practice within the field of early years care and education and apply critical examples of the research literature relating to the content of the programme; Assist professionals to accumulate a range of methodologies for gathering knowledge, systematising reflection and arriving at rational decisions for example by supporting students to select fit-for-purpose methods for a research project within the context of their own professional role; Deepen students capacity to manage their own learning through the nurturing of independent and collaborative learning communities in which professionals can find stimulus, relevance, further resource and audience; Encourage each student to be an advocate for children, enabling them to grow personally and gain confidence as effective practitioners, articulate professionals and active researchers. The Masters in Early Childhood Studies promotes the study of early childhood care and education as an academic discipline through a wide variety of specialist modules. The programme connects understanding of early childhood care and education through informed, evidencebased reflection, and action is a central aim of the programme. This is achieved by studying 4 taught modules which provide templates for discussion and decision making and completing a double dissertation module, supported by a supervisor. Candidates will be encouraged to extend their professional contacts by engaging with wider communities of practice and to benefit from

4 contacts with a range of interests. Course modules will connect professionals to a range of theories, perspectives, research methodologies and literature with a view to extending reflection, improving practice and developing professional values. The programme will assist professionals to engage with critical concerns about professionalism and with developments in pedagogy regionally and worldwide. Throughout its delivery, the programme will seek to extend individual and collegial constructions of knowledge through informed and intellectually challenging, evidence-based research. The programme is primarily for early years professionals in early to mid-career. Entrants to the programme will be required to demonstrate a history of interest in furthering their reflective practice and must provide testimony of their commitment to the child. The Masters in Early Childhood Studies is a modular programme of professional development. Candidates will be supported in the use of a variety of methods of learning, including developing case accounts of professional practice and experience, writing and responding to the case commentaries of their peers, drawing upon wider professional literature, planning projects, pursuing focused enquiries and using a range of methods for exploring and improving practice. These may include setting-based observations, focused discussions in the workplace, child diagnostic and attainment measures, reflective diaries, questionnaires, case histories, ethnographies and action research. Before proceeding to a research dissertation, candidates will be expected to have successfully completed the practical Methods and Methodologies in Educational Research module. Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: On completion of their MA Early Childhood Studies degree programme students will have: Participated in a critical community of learning; Developed skills of reasoning, critical analysis and reflective practice within the field of early years care and education; Extended their own individual constructions of knowledge through informed and intellectually challenging, evidence-based research, and have Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Teaching and assessment methods are based on challenging learning tasks, appropriate reading and personal research. Methods of Assessment Teaching and assessment methods are based on challenging learning tasks, appropriate reading and personal research.

5 contributed to the construction of a group construction through collaboration. Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: On completion of their MA Early Childhood Studies degree programme students will have: Directed their own learning and thinking and further developed their capacity to think independently and also collaboratively; Used a range of methodologies for gathering knowledge; Displayed their capacity to communicate their understanding in an accessible manner thorough both the written and spoken word; Gained skills in the use of ICT using PowerPoint in presentations, internet based resources, and internet based discussion forums Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Students will be given all relevant information on their progress, informed by regular and appropriate feedback on coursework and practical placements. The degree is designed to provide constructive and supportive working relationships between staff and students, through which learning and teaching can prosper. In particular the degree will support the aim of building professional partnerships, advancing lifelong learning and developing Masters courses that prepare reflective and critical practitioners to meet the challenges of constant educational change. Methods of Assessment Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding On the completion of this course successful students will be able to: On successful completion of their MA Early Childhood Studies degree programme students will have: Reflected on the relationship between theory and practice in a professional context; Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies In line with University College Strategies for Learning, Teaching and Assessment and in the context of QAA Codes of Practice and the University's Quality Handbook, the Master in Early Methods of Assessment Assignments of words will be assessed against published criteria. The tutors assessment is subject to internal moderation and external

6 Increased their understanding of multiprofessional approaches as they understand and respond to the issues central to working with young children and their families in a variety of contexts; Advanced their knowledge and understanding of the specialist academic discipline of Early Childhood Studies; Acquired a comprehensive and critical understanding of the concepts, issues and practices of early years services and settings. Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills On the completion of this course successful students will be able to On completion of their MA Early Childhood Studies degree programme students will have: Exercised analytical, critical and problem solving skills in the context of the specialist study area of Early Childhood Studies; Increased their capacity to act as an advocate for children; Childhood Studies will create the circumstances whereby Early Years professionals are fully involved in the learning process and take responsibility for their own learning, guided by appropriate academic, professional and pastoral advice. Depending on the nature of the modules they choose, students will experience a variety of pedagogic approaches including: seminars, workshops, lectures, group and project work, work based learning, e-learning, research based field work, intensive block teaching and supervised practice. Teaching will be appropriately informed by current research and professional practice and the constituent modules will provide coherent and flexible learning pathways Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies Learning is, in general, independent and may, depending on the options or modules chosen have a practical orientation. examining. Double marking for (dissertation) and moderation for selected (assignments) ensure fairness and consistency. Methods of Assessment All coursework is assessed properly and transparently and submitted work will be returned with minimum delay, and students will be given adequate feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their work through written/oral comment. Investigated a range of theories, perspectives, research methodologies and literature with a view

7 to extending reflection and improving practice within the field of early childhood studies; Developed an awareness and understanding of current theories and debates relating to child development and the early years; Gained the skills to carry out a small scale research project in the area of early childhood studies

8 Programme Requirements Module Title Critical Perspectives in Early Years Care and Education International Perspectives in Early Years Care and Education Module Code Level/ stage Credits Availability Duration Pre-requisite Assessment S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Examination % SEC hours yes 100% SEC hours yes 100% Research Methods SEC hours Yes 100% Advanced Theoretical Perspectives of Children s Crisis and Trauma SEC hours yes 100% Quality Pedagogy in Early Years Care and Education SEC hours yes 100% Early Years Leadership SEC hours yes 100% Child Development SEC hours yes 100% Dissertation in Early Childhood Studies SEC n/a Yes 100% Approved by Director of Education: Print Name:.. Signature: Date:..