نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Master's Program in Early Childhood Education Research

The University of Potsdam offers a consecutive Master's program in Early Childhood Education Research, which is conducted in cooperation with the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP). This program provides perspectives in research as well as in the design, evaluation, and management of early childhood education.

Program Overview

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Standard Duration: 4 semesters
• Credits: 120 ECTS
• Language of Instruction: German
• Start of Program: Winter semester
• Campus: Golm and Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
• Fees: No tuition fees, but semester fees and contributions apply

Content of the Program

The program focuses on the development, learning processes, and pedagogical support of children from 0 to 12 years old. A distinctive feature of the program is its research-oriented profile: students spend half of their workload (60 ECTS) working on their own research project. This project involves all phases of the empirical research process and cooperation with partners from research, management, and practice. Research projects are assigned to one of the following areas: (1) Pedagogical Interaction and Participation, (2) Cognition, Language & Concepts, and (3) Practice Development and Transfer. Individual focuses can also be set in the areas of consulting, management, or scientific publishing.

Study Objectives and Future Career Fields

The objective of the program is to prepare students for research activities at universities and research institutes, as well as for the conception, evaluation, further development, and management of early childhood education services at carrier organizations, professional associations, and other institutions.

Requirements for the Master's Program

The requirement for admission is a first professionally qualifying university degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS) in the field of early childhood education or a related subject (e.g., educational science, social science, cognitive science, and humanities with a corresponding focus), including 5 ECTS as proof of empirical research methods. The lectures are held in German, but it is expected that students can read and understand specialist texts in English, as a large part of international research literature is published in English.

Structure of the Program

The four-semester program comprises 120 ECTS, which are earned through the following modules and the master's thesis:

• Module 1: Methods and Concepts of Empirical Childhood Research I: Basics (10 ECTS)
• Module 2: Methods and Concepts of Empirical Childhood Research II: From Idea to Research Design (10 ECTS)
• Module 3: Developmental Psychology and Pedagogy of Childhood (10 ECTS)
• Module 4: Diagnostics, Intervention, Prevention (10 ECTS)
• Module 5: Epistemological Foundations of Childhood Research (10 ECTS)
• Module 6: Research Focus: Introduction and Research Question (10 ECTS)
• Module 7: Research Focus: Concept and Design (10 ECTS)
• Module 8: Research Focus: Data Collection and Analysis (10 ECTS)
• Module 9: Individual Specialization (Consulting / Management & Leadership / System Management / Scientific Community) (10 ECTS)
• Master's Thesis: (30 ECTS)

Advantages at a Glance

The program benefits from both a research-strong, basic-oriented university and a broadly networked, application-oriented university of applied sciences in the field of early childhood education. The program's concept favors academic profiling in the growing societal task area of early childhood education, also due to the excellent supervision ratio.

Application for the Program

For those interested in the Master's program in Early Childhood Education Research, the next step is to inform themselves about the current application and enrollment procedure on the program's website.

Important Links

• Study Advisory Service
• Study and Examination Regulations
• Application
• Admission Regulations

Contact

Professorship for Empirical Childhood Research Lisa Roth | Study Advisory Service

Social Media

• Bluesky
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Mastodon
• Research Gate
• XING
• YouTube

Contact Information

University of Potsdam Department of Student Affairs Am Neuen Palais 10 14469 Potsdam

All contact persons at a glance

Directions

Certificates

• Federal Initiative Klischeefrei
• Code of Conduct
• Excellent Teaching
• HRK-Audit & HRK-Re-Audit
• HRS4R
• System Accreditation
• Total E-Quality

Memberships

• Network Study Orientation Brandenburg
• Scholars at Risk
• EUA
• EDUC
• Yerun
• UA11+

University Compact

• Dates & Deadlines
• Press
• Job Advertisements
• UNIshop of the University of Potsdam
• Course Catalog
• Addresses, Directions, and Maps

This Page

• Print
• Save as Bookmark

URL: potsdam.de/en/study/courses/master/early-childhood-education-research