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Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership)

Helping shape the future starts here.

  • Build expertise in early childhood teaching and educational leadership
  • Complete 452 hours of supervised professional experience
  • Develop the skills to lead teams, improve teaching quality and support professional learning
  • Study 100% online with flexible learning designed for working professionals
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Postgraduate

Qualification

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2 Years full-time

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Jan, Apr, Jul, Sept

Start Dates

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10

Units

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$3,210-$6,670*

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OVERVIEW

What is the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership)?

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership) builds on your existing knowledge and professional experience in early childhood education while developing advanced capabilities in educational leadership. You’ll develop the skills to influence teaching practice, support educators and lead high-quality learning environments that respond to the evolving needs of children, families and communities.

Build your knowledge across early childhood education and educational leadership, while developing practical skills to support children, families and educators. Explore contemporary approaches to early childhood education and strengthen your ability to lead teams, support professional practice and contribute to high-quality learning environments.

Through a structured progression of study, you’ll build on what you already know and develop deeper expertise across early childhood education and educational leadership.

Who is this course for?

  • Diploma-qualified educators with leadership experience seeking career progression
  • Professionals looking to combine teaching with educational leadership
  • Educators wanting to lead curriculum, quality improvement and professional learning initiatives

How you’ll study

  • Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership) runs over four teaching periods per year.
  • Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per unit, per week.
  • 100% online and you’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
  • Interactive learning is delivered through videos, readings, master classes and discussions.

What you’ll learn  

  • Contemporary early childhood teaching: Develop the knowledge and practical skills to create engaging teaching experiences to support learning in meaningful ways.
  • Educational leadership: Build the leadership capabilities needed to support educators, guide teams and contribute to high-quality early learning environments.
  • Teaching, assessment and professional practice: Learn how to design, implement and assess educational programs that support children’s learning and development within early childhood settings.
  • Inclusive and culturally responsive education: Explore inclusive teaching approaches, culturally responsive practice and ways to build respectful partnerships with families and communities.
  • Research and evidence-based practice: Learn how to critically evaluate educational challenges and apply data-based approaches to improve learning environments.
Kate-Graduation-BW

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online Education graduate

21.6% ▴

As an early childhood teacher, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with a 21.6% job growth increase expected in the next five years. (SEEK 2026)

The Good Universities Guide 2024

Our postgraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality.

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online Education graduate

21.6% ▴

As an early childhood teacher, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with a 21.6% job growth increase expected in the next five years. (SEEK 2026)

Our postgraduate education courses have been awarded a five-star rating for overall experience, skills development, student support and teaching quality.

The Good Universities Guide 2024

Swinburne Online

Your pathway to the career of your dreams

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Structure

Your course breakdown:

To be awarded the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership) you must complete 10 units in total made up of:

  • 4 Early Childhood Education units
  • 6 Educational Leadership units

You can complete the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership). Alternatively, you can study part-time over a longer period to suit your lifestyle.

Year One

  • Child Growth, Health and Well-being (25cp)
  • Child Play with Literacy and Creative Pedagogy (25cp)
  • Child Play with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (25cp)
  • Professionalism with Family, Community and Industry (25cp)

Year Two

Finalise your journey with the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership), fulfilling the four-year higher education requirement for NESA and leadership roles. This consists of two double-credit units and four single-credit units.

  • Leadership of Self (25cp)
  • Leadership of Teams (25cp)
  • Leading Early Childhood Learning in Diverse Contexts (12.5cp)
  • Responsive Leadership and Indigenous Perspectives in Early Childhood (12.5cp)
  • Leader As Facilitator of Learning in Diverse Early Childhood (12.5cp)
  • Advanced Leadership Practices in Early Childhood Contexts (12.5cp)

What you'll study:

 

Child Growth, Health and Well-being

Child Play with Literacy and Creative Pedagogy

Child Play with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Professionalism with Family, Community and Industry

Leadership of Self

Leadership of Teams

Leading Early Childhood Learning in Diverse Contexts

Responsive Leadership and Indigenous Perspectives in Early Childhood

Leader As Facilitator Of Learning In Diverse Early Childhood

Advanced Leadership Practices In Early Childhood Contexts

Entry Requirements

Entry Criteria

Applicants are required to meet the following entry requirement:

  • A graded Australian Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or recognised ungraded equivalent) and a minimum of five years relevant work experience (undertaken within the last seven years), in an approved early childhood education setting with related leadership responsibilities

Want to discuss your eligibility for the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership)? Get in touch with our Course Consultant team on 1300 069 765 to discuss more today!

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

If you have completed previous studies or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible to receive credit towards your course, reducing the time and cost of your studies.

Credit for prior learning

Credit for prior learning recognises previous studies that are relevant to your chosen course. Your eligibility for credit or subject exemptions is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with each application considered individually.

Recognition of prior experience

If you hold a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care and have five or more years of leadership experience in the sector, you may be eligible to receive up to 200 credit points of advanced standing in the Bachelor of Educational Studies through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Aligned Recognition of Capability (ROC).

This provides entry into the ACECQA-approved Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching, which can then lead into the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership), with 100 credit points of advanced standing. This means you may have only one year of study remaining in the master’s degree. Alternatively, you can study part-time over a longer period to suit your lifestyle.

Combined, this pathway enables you to progress from a diploma qualification to an ACECQA-approved teaching qualification and a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership) through the equivalent of four years of higher education study.

To learn more and explore your potential credit for prior learning, get in touch with our Course Consultant team on 1300 069 765 to discuss your options!

Need More Info?

We have plenty of resources to help you! Visit our Applying and Enrolling FAQs or chat with a Course Consultant for advice on your specific situation.

Fees & Scholarships

Estimated Fee Per Unit
  • The estimated fee per unit is $3,210-$6,670*
  • There are 10 units in this course, four 25 credit point units in the first year and six (two 25 credit point and four 12.5 credit point) in your second year

*Note: Unit fees may change each year.

FEE-HELP provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.

Discover more information about HELP loans.

There are a variety of Swinburne Scholarships to help reduce your costs.

  • University-funded scholarships
  • Government-funded scholarships
  • Private scholarships and prizes

Scholarships are available for both new and current students.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarships

There are a range of scholarships available to support Indigenous students in minimising the costs of study materials, accommodation, relocation and more.

How it works:
1. Check eligibility
2. Gather the relevant documentation
3. Produce a personal statement
4. Obtain your references
5. Apply online here

Please contact our Course Consultants to find out if you’re eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.

Credit for prior study:

  • Good news — if you’re awarded academic credit for prior study, your course fees could be lower! This means a cheaper degree!

Services & amenities fee:

For more details on scholarships and financial support, speak with our Course Consultant team today!

Career Outcomes

Career opportunities with a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership)

With a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership) you can build a meaningful career in a growing profession. You'll be prepared for a range of roles after graduating (average annual salaries via SEEK), including:

$80,000 to $110,000+ Average Salary

Lead curriculum and pedagogical practice within an early childhood setting, helping to maintain high standards of education and care.

Lead curriculum and pedagogical practice within an early childhood setting, helping to maintain high standards of education and care.

$105,000 to $130,000 Average Salary

Oversee the day-to-day operations and educational programs of an early learning facility. Guide and nurture your team of teachers and educators while building meaningful connections with children, families, and the community.

Oversee the day-to-day operations and educational programs of an early learning facility. Guide and nurture your team of teachers and educators while building meaningful connections with children, families, and the community.

$70,000 to $110,000 Average Salary

Drive diversity, equity, and accessibility programs across corporate, educational, or not-for-profit sectors. Key responsibilities include designing inclusion policies, ensuring compliance with disability funding and legislation, coordinating targeted community programs, and training staff to foster equitable, culturally safe, and supportive environments.

Drive diversity, equity, and accessibility programs across corporate, educational, or not-for-profit sectors. Key responsibilities include designing inclusion policies, ensuring compliance with disability funding and legislation, coordinating targeted community programs, and training staff to foster equitable, culturally safe, and supportive environments.

$70,000 to $110,000 Average Salary

Mentor educators, design curriculum, and refine teaching strategies to improve student outcomes. Pedagogical consultants are crucial in advancing teaching practices across early childhood, primary, and secondary settings.

Mentor educators, design curriculum, and refine teaching strategies to improve student outcomes. Pedagogical consultants are crucial in advancing teaching practices across early childhood, primary, and secondary settings.

$70,000 to $115,000 Average Salary

Ensure industries and professionals comply with government legislation. Responsibilities include managing compliance checks, assessing applications, investigating breaches, and preparing reports.

Ensure industries and professionals comply with government legislation. Responsibilities include managing compliance checks, assessing applications, investigating breaches, and preparing reports.

Why study the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Educational Leadership)?

  • Graduate with teaching and leadership expertise: Develop leadership, communication, and assessment skills, as well as a strong understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in education.
  • Learn through real-world experience: Develop up-to-date knowledge and skills in educational theories, learning and development for current classrooms.
  • Prepare for career progression: Access professional placements in a diverse range of educational communities.
  • Make a meaningful impact: Learn how to best teach and to create innovative learning environments to sculpt young minds.

Online Study

What’s it like to study with Swinburne Online?

Each degree is thoughtfully designed for online learning, ensuring your experience is fulfilling and supported. At Swinburne Online, we want to ensure that your journey with us is a success. Our team of academic and online experts have developed engaging, media-rich course materials using cutting-edge digital technology and advanced teaching resources.

Your online study journey

 

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Here’s what you can expect

  • Personalise your study journey with full-time or part-time options — 100% online, no travel needed.
  • Start when it suits you with multiple intake dates.
  • Study on your terms, balancing life, family, and work — anytime, anywhere.
  • Stay connected with students and industry experts through discussion boards and virtual classrooms.
  • Get support 7 days a week for general help whenever you need it.
  • Learn with confidence with dedicated online tutors for each unit, ready to answer all your academic questions.

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Your online classroom: Canvas

Canvas is Swinburne’s online platform where all your classwork will take place. You can log into Canvas anywhere, anytime!

What you’ll use Canvas for:

  • Explore all your units and modules
  • Watch learning sessions in your own time
  • Participate in group discussions and communicate with tutors and classmates
  • Receive assessments and feedback
  • Track your study progress
  • Log in on your desktop or mobile

FLEXIBLE STUDY AT SWINBURNE ONLINE

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Your online campus: The Student Hub

Think of the Student Hub as your online campus where you will be able to:

  • Manage your enrolment and university administration services
  • Keep up with your fees, key course dates, and study information 
  • Access library and technical support 
  • Access student support such as: Study Buddies, HelpHub, study planners, and more
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Dedicated student support

You are supported at every stage of your journey with Swinburne Online.

You’ll have access to:

  • Student Advisors – to help plan your course, enrol you in units and assist with other general enquiries you may have
  • Online Learning Advisors – to support you with unit content, assessments and referencing
  • Student Coaches – who can advise you on best practice study habits, motivation, and time management
  • Study Buddies – connects you with peers to collaborate on coursework, share knowledge and stay motivated
  • 7‑day support – to assist you at any time

Learn more about units, fees, entry criteria, career outcomes and more.

Download a course guide

The Swinburne Online-SEEK connection

The suite of Swinburne Online Education degrees provides students with the opportunity to forge connections within the industry. Students hear from industry leaders and work with real-life clients with demonstrated experience within their respective fields, such as SEEK.