Programme Description
Early childhood education has been targeted by both the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong governments as a major area of expansion. Educators working in kindergartens, child care centres and related sponsoring bodies are charged with leading school-base improvements, and are increasingly held accountable for their success. Kindergartens and child care centres must develop and drive their own quality programmes in line with global trends and local needs. This programme is designed to provide innovative and energetic early childhood educators with both the theoretical and applied knowledge as well as skills needed to lead successful improvements of early childhood education and to nurture children to attain a balanced development.
The objectives of this programme are to help students:
- develop an in-depth understanding of the literature of whole child development and how it applies to early childhood education in Hong Kong and elsewhere;
- understand the types of leadership necessary for principals, mid-level leaders, teachers and other educators to lead pre-schools successfully towards improved student development and learning outcomes;
- develop knowledge-sharing and professional learning networks;
- critically review the issues involved in the reform of as well as policies and practices related to early childhood education; and
- become proactive in facilitating school-based curriculum and teaching reforms and institutional improvement.
Who Should Apply?
Applicants for the full-time programme should be graduates of an early childhood education, psychology, education or other relevant programme.
Applicants for the part-time programme should be serving pre-school principals, supervisors, teachers, school development consultants or government officials, although applicants who have no relevant professional experience but have taken specialised courses in equivalent programmes offered by recognised institutions may also apply. In addition, applicants should preferably hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Education / Certificate in Kindergarten Education or its equivalent are the preferred applicants.
Programme Requirements
(1) Coursework Requirement
Students are required to complete a total of 24 units for graduation.
| (i) |
Core Courses
4-5 courses to be chosen from: MECM 6101, 6201, 6202, 6301, 6302 |
12-15 units |
| (ii) |
Elective Courses
2-3 courses to be chosen from: SGCL 6101, MECM 6401, MECM 6901, PEDU 6048, PEDU 6051, PEDU 6052, PEDU 6054, PEDU 6072, PEDU 6121, PEDU 6206, PEDU 6207, PEDU 6209, PEDU 6210, PEDU 6503, PEDU 6504, PEDU 6508, PEDU 6701, PEDU 6704, PEDU 6705, PEDU 6706, PEDU 6707, EXSC 6210, SSPE 6001, SSPE 6002 |
6-9 units |
| (iii) |
Courses on Research Methodology
2 courses to be chosen from: PEDU 6003-6004, 6401-6406 (There are pre-requisites for PEDU 6404 & 6405.) |
3 units |
| (i) |
Core Courses
4-5 courses to be chosen from: MECM 6101, 6201, 6202, 6301, 6302 |
12-15 units |
| (ii) |
Elective Courses
2-4 courses to be chosen from: SGCL 6101, MECM 6401, MECM 6901, PEDU 6048, PEDU 6051, PEDU 6052, PEDU 6054, PEDU 6072, PEDU 6121, PEDU 6206, PEDU 6207, PEDU 6209, PEDU 6210, PEDU 6503, PEDU 6504, PEDU 6508, PEDU 6701, PEDU 6704, PEDU 6705, PEDU 6706, PEDU 6707, EXSC 6210, SSPE 6001, SSPE 6002, *MAPE 6101-6106 * MAPE electives are 2-unit courses, students can only choose a maximum of 2 MAPE courses. |
6-9 units |
| (iii) |
Courses on Research Methodology
2 courses to be chosen from: PEDU 6003-6004, 6401-6406 (There are pre-requisites for PEDU 6404 & 6405.) |
3 units |
(2) Other Requirements
(a) A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to fulfill the graduation requirement.
(b) Students must fulfill the Term Assessment Requirement of the Graduate School. A student who obtains a cumulative grade point average (GPA) below 2.0 in the preceding term will be put on academic probation. For details, please refer to Section 13.0 “Unsatisfactory Performance and Discontinuation of Studies” of the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies which can be accessed from the Graduate School Homepage: http://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk.