The Master of Special Education degree is a coursework degree designed to meet the requirements of teachers, educators, other professionals and administrators who wish to gain higher qualifications and expertise in the areas of special education theory and practice.
To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Special Education (MSpEd), students must complete either six subjects plus a project (equal in weight to two subjects) or eight subjects. Students intending to proceed to a doctoral degree must take the project option plus a research methodology subject.
The coursework subjects comprise three compulsory subjects - GED1811 (Studies in special education A), GED1812 (Studies in special education B) and GED1816 (Special education: practice and placement). The remaining subjects must be selected from an approved list of MEdSt subjects. Each subject will require attendance at a weekly class, together with substantial reading and associated assessment/assignment work.
Credit may be granted for not more than two subjects for work satisfactorily completed towards a postgraduate bachelors degree or postgraduate diploma representing a fifth year of tertiary study in this university or another institution of higher learning. For students who have completed the Bachelor of Special Education or equivalent studies, these subjects will normally be GED1811 and GED1812 (Studies in special education A and B). Those students may also be allowed to replace GED1816 (Special education: practice and placement) with an elective unit.
The subjects and individual academic and practical work must form an integrated program of study to suit the candidate's individual background and needs. The proposed program must be discussed with the appropriate course adviser for approval at the time of applying for candidature. Classes in all subjects will be held in the late afternoon and evening.
The two compulsory core subjects, GED1811 and GED1812 (Studies in special education A and B), provide broad foundational studies in special education. These subjects should be completed early in the program. The elective subjects must be selected from the prescribed list of special education subjects. The third compulsory subject, GED1816 (Special education: practice and placement), is usually undertaken after the elective subjects have been completed. Research subjects listed in the MEdSt schedule would also be appropriate for this degree.
Selection and enrolment
Whilst the specific regulations governing the degree are set out elsewhere, in general terms to be eligible for admission applicants must hold a degree and teacher training requiring the equivalent of not less than four years full-time study in an approved tertiary institution; or other qualifications or experience considered by the faculty board to be a satisfactory substitute for the above qualifications. The degree may be completed in two years of full-time study, or not more than four years if undertaken as part-time study.
Course outline
Course adviser: Dr G F Best
Subjects available for the degree of Master of Special Education are listed below. By resolution of the faculty board, each subject of the degree is offered conditionally upon there being a sufficient demand for it from enrolling students in any given year and conditionally on appropriate staff being available.
Compulsory subjects
* GED1811 Studies in special education A
* GED1812 Studies in special education B
* GED1816 Special education: practice and placement
Elective subjects
Elective subjects must be chosen from the following MEdSt subjects. In the case where an exemption is gained from GED1816 (Special education: practice and placement), the student will be required to replace the practicum with an elective subject.
* GED1805 Cognitive psychology, learning and teaching
* GED1806 Communication disorders in children and adults
* GED1807 Anxiety disorders
* GED1808 Adolescent development and its educational implications
* GED1809 Advanced studies in learning disabilities
* GED1813 Behavioural problems in children
* GED1814 The psychology of the gifted child
* GED1815 Intellectual disabilities
* GED1817 Counselling, guidance and pastoral care in schools
* GED1823 Families and parenting
* GED1835 Computers and human learning
* GED1837 Psychological, physical and social components of health education
* GED2805 Gender in education
* GED3801 Legal issues and the exceptional individual
* GED3803 Issues in health and education
* GED4805 The academically gifted child: problems and issues
* GED4819 Catering for individual differences, assessment and learning in mathematics education
Any of the research subjects in the MEdSt list.
Project
The project, equal in weight to two coursework subjects, must focus on a topic relevant to special education. Students intending to enrol in the project must complete an appropriate research methodology subject.