MA Early Childhood Studies

Why study this course

This distance-learning programme is designed for professionals working within the early childhood workforce, including those who may not be working directly with children but are involved in developing the early childhood workforce, such as further education lecturers and local authority advisers.

Our course is a high quality, contemporary and coherent programme that has been designed to meet the needs of professionals working within the early childhood workforce. The MA offers you an opportunity to advance your knowledge, understanding and professional practice through engagement with current research and thinking in early childhood. It also involves a reflection on, and analysis of, your own professional practice.

A commitment to equality, diversity, social justice and advocacy are themes central to this programme.

More about this course

The course is delivered by distance learning using an interactive online platform and individual academic support from tutors. As well as academic content, the interactive online platform includes podcasts, video, online discussions and links to identified reading – either as scanned chapters or through access to our wide range of online books and academic journals.

The early childhood studies team has a long history of developing an accessible study for the early childhood workforce. London Met was one of the first universities to offer an undergraduate programme designed for those working within the early childhood workforce both as a face-to-face and distance learning programme.
The course is underpinned by the following aims to:

develop a detailed understanding of current research and thinking in the field of early childhood
appraise research and theory continuously and reflect on its impact on early childhood provision and practice with an emphasis on students’ own professional practice
develop a sophisticated understanding of the historical, economic, social, cultural and political contexts which impact the lives of young children and their families
develop a comprehensive understanding of, and commitment to, issues of equality and diversity, social justice and advocacy in relation to the field of early childhood

Assessment

You'll be assessed through ongoing coursework and a written dissertation.

Where this course can take you

Career opportunities and potential continuing professional development include advisers to local and national government, further and higher education tutors, leadership roles within early childhood and doctoral research. Graduates have gone on to roles as early years educators at nurseries and play therapists at children's hospitals.