Open University Malaysia (OUM) distinguishes itself by offering a unique package of Master of Early Childhood Education (MECHE) that ensures the candidates a competitive advantage, which will pave the way to a successful career.

The curriculum, specially designed is in line with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s Programme Standards: Early Childhood Education which is to equip graduates with knowledge and competencies for them to be able to:

• Demonstrate mastery of knowledge of the core areas of knowledge in early childhood care and education and understanding their relationships to related fields;
• Demonstrate a mastery of developmentally appropriate practices to monitor and model;
• Demonstrate effective leadership in advocating for quality early childhood care and education;
• Analyse, apply and disseminate information to enhance quality early childhood care and education; and
• Apply evidenced good practices in administration, management and entrepreneurship in early childhood fields.

Programme offered cover all the five (5) groups of core areas of knowledge needed by every childhood professionals or educators. They are Child Development, Curriculum and Learning Environment, Administration and Management, Families and the Community, and Professional Development. The Master of Early Childhood Education is especially suited for preschool teachers, principals and operators, teachers, school principals, college lecturers and other education personnel, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) personnel involve with young children, journalist, writers/authors of young children books, social workers handling young children, instructors and organisers of young children programmes who wish to equip themselves with up-to-date knowledge and specialised skills for continuous personal improvement as well as career enhancement in their professions.

This is a two (2) years or six (6) semester Master’s Degree by Coursework programme. Candidates will be exposed to 11 Core Modules which cover all the five (5) Core Area of Knowledge included courses in theory and research methodology as proposed in the Programme Standards: Early Childhood Education by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (2014). Candidates can only register for a maximum of three (3) courses per semester. At the end of the programme candidates are required to conduct a research project and produce a project report of not exceed 15,000 words.

A seminar of three (3) hours per courses will be conducted at the main campus on weekends every fortnightly. Candidates will be provided with Learning Kits instead of Modules as the learning materials which to be used and discussed during the scheduled seminars. Besides face-to-face seminars, presentations, problem-based learning, case study and Webinar, candidates are encourage to actively involved in on-line discussion forums for each courses through the my Virtual Learning Environment or myVLE regarding any issues or concern that they have.

Assessment for every course based on 60% assignment and 40% final examination.

* For May and September Semester 2015, programme is only offered in Kuala Lumpur.

Normal Entry

Bachelor’s degree with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 or equivalent as accepted by Senate; OR
Bachelor’s degree with CGPA less than 2.50, can be accepted with a minimum of 5 years working experience in the relevant field.

OR

APEL Admission

More than 30 years of age on 1 January in the year of application; AND
STPM / Recognised Diploma / A-Levels / Equivalent; AND
Relevant work experience / prior experiential learning; AND
Pass the APEL Assessment (Aptitude Test, Portfolio & Interview) conducted by OUM