Degree objectives

The Master's Degree in Pre-School Education and Primary Education aims to develop a broad, in-depth and articulated set of knowledge and skills, namely: • to confer professional qualifications for teaching in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education; • to provide knowledge on relevant scientific, pedagogical and didactic content, in close articulation with pedagogical practice, for the teaching-learning process in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education; • to contribute to the development of pedagogical intervention practices within Early Childhood Education and Primary Education; • to develop research and reflection skills on pedagogical practices; • provide an understanding of the reference curricular documents, namely, the Curricular Guidelines for Pre-School Education, the Pedagogical Guidelines for Nursery Schools, the Student Profile at the End of Compulsory Schooling, the Essential Learning (1st Cycle of Basic Education) and the National Strategy for Education for Citizenship; • contribute to the construction of knowledge about educational contexts and teaching functions, including professional ethics.

School

ESE - School of Education

Study mode

presencial - DayTime

Learning objectives and skills to be developed

The course aims to qualify teachers for teaching in Early Childhood Education and the 1st Cycle of Basic Education with knowledge and skills that allow them to: • intervene in educational contexts at the level of Early Childhood Education and the 1st Cycle of Basic Education; • analyze complex educational situations and develop research in education; • apply theory to practice, from a professionalizing perspective; • develop means of reflection, responsibility, specialization (expertise) and professional ethics within the scope of teaching practice; • actively participate in school institutions, particularly with regard to school management.

Career opportunities

Professional qualification for teaching as Childhood Educator and Elementary School Teacher - 1st cycle, in all areas of Pre-School Education and 1st cycle of Basic Education.

Course coordinator

Elisabete Maria Xavier Vieira Gomes

Mariana Abrantes de Oliveira Pinto Alte da Veiga

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal.

Admission requirements

Anyone who wishes to obtain professional certification to teach in early childhood education or to work in other socio-educational settings for children—such as daycare centers, playrooms, baby libraries, museums, and libraries—and who meets the necessary requirements for this purpose.
Those who meet the following conditions may apply for the program leading to a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 9-A/2025 of February 14:
1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Basic Education obtained from a Portuguese institution of higher education or, if from another institution, have the degree validated through a recognition process in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018.
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution in Portugal or, if from another institution, have their degree recognized through a degree recognition process, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018 and meet the minimum credit requirements set forth in Decree-Law No. 9-A/2025 in the corresponding annex reproduced below (Figure 1).
3. Individuals who have obtained 75% of the credits required by the minimum training requirements set forth in the corresponding annex transcribed below (Figure 1) may also apply for admission to a program leading to a master’s degree in this specialty. In this situation, enrollment in the course units (CU) for the specific teaching components and introduction to professional practice, including supervised teaching practice, may occur, whenever possible, concurrently with the completion of the remaining credits (nos. 7 and 8, Art. 18).
4. Possess oral and written proficiency in the Portuguese language and mastery of the essential rules of logical and critical argumentation, demonstrated by passing an exam with one of the following characteristics:
a.Documentary proof of successful completion of course units in Portuguese Language, Portuguese Linguistics, and Portuguese Didactics (totaling a minimum of 20 ECTS) or equivalent course units at any institution of higher education (for this purpose, the detailed academic transcript is considered).
b. A written and oral exam taken no more than two years prior to the application date at a higher education institution.

The information provided does not replace consultation of the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES) website and/or the application page.

Qualification requirements

20 course units successfully completed

Legal framework and accreditation

R/A-CR 139/2015/AL02