Postgraduate courses and subjects 2000

Research degrees

General information
Master of Education (Research) (MEd[Research])
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

General information

For general advice, contact the following:

Clayton campus

Dr Paul Gardner, director, Research Degrees (telephone (03) 9905 2854)
Ms Kerry Theodora, administrative officer, Research Degrees (telephone (03) 9905 2803)

Gippsland campus

Associate Professor Len Cairns (telephone (03) 9902 6599)

Dr Ros Smith (telephone (03) 9904 4200)
For advice on finding an appropriate supervisor, contact Dr Brenton Doecke, coordinator of Supervision (telephone (03) 9905 2894).
For advice on the Doctor of Education (EdD) program, contact Associate Professor Terri Seddon, EdD coordinator (telephone (03) 9905 2774.
Information is also available on our web site at http://www.education. monash.edu.au

Master of Education (Research) (MEd[Research])

General information

Course code: 0077 · Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses
The Master of Education (Research) is a research degree and candidates are required to carry out an independent study which is reported in a thesis.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have demonstrated in earlier courses of study that they have the ability and persistence necessary to carry out independent research. In general, applicants may be admitted if they have completed the BEdSt degree or the BEd degree with creditable results or have an honours degree in a field that is an appropriate preparation for the proposed area of research. Preference is given to applicants with some qualifications in education. Applicants whose qualifications do not meet these criteria may be admitted to preliminary candidature (which normally involves enrolling for several subjects and demonstrating competence to pursue research work).
In all cases, admission depends on the availability of a member of staff for supervision of the applicant's approved thesis topic. Candidates who are intending to carry out an empirical research project for the degree should complete a relevant research methods subject, unless given credit for equivalent studies or otherwise exempted by the faculty's research degrees committee.

External candidature

Candidature by external mode is now available and can be on a full-time or part-time basis. For further information contact the manager, Research Degrees (Clayton).

Course outline

Clayton campus

Research areas available from the Clayton campus include:

· learning and instruction, psychological assessment and remedial strategies, developmental psychology, behaviour and its modification
· economics and education and training, sociology of education, educational policy and management, Asian studies, adult and vocational education and training
· philosophical studies, historical studies, English language, literacy and literature, second language education, education and the law
· curriculum and teaching, measurement and evaluation in education, science and environmental education, mathematics and technology education, computing and educational technology.

Gippsland campus

Areas of current research available from the Gippsland campus include:

· transition from primary to secondary schooling
· health and education issues
· literacy; writing process and genres; evaluation of reading recovery
· information technology
· gender issues
· history of education
· music education history
· learner-managed learning capability
· educational psychology areas
· teaching philosophy in schools
· Koori education
· gifted and talented education
· research on teaching and teacher education
· school-based teacher education
· supervision of the practicum
· convergence of education and technology; and industry-education partnerships

Peninsula campus

Research areas available from the Peninsula campus include:

· curriculum studies - development and evaluation in such areas as art, social studies, cultural studies, literacy studies, mathematical studies, early childhood studies, human movement and recreation, and environmental studies
· educational studies - in such areas as schools and community, teacher- pupil interaction, special assistance, educational management, history of education, school development, school effectiveness and school improvement

Length of course/workload required

This course consists of two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. A full-time candidate is expected to devote at least four days a week to the research project (two days a week for a part-time candidate).

Further information

Applications for admission to MEd(Research) candidature may be lodged at any time of the year.

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Course code: 0177 · Clayton campus
The Doctorate of Education is a research degree aimed at the improvement of professional practice by extending the knowledge, expertise and skill of students through the application of research to educational problems and issues.

Admission requirements

· a degree with honours (first or upper second) or a masters degree in education or educational studies (including a research component) from an Australian university or any recognised overseas university deemed equivalent by the Faculty of Education and
· a minimum of three years' professional experience in an educational institution or as a member of an occupation closely related to education or any occupation judged appropriate by the Faculty of Education and
· demonstrated ability to carry out independent research

Credit provision

Applicants should complete a skills portfolio, based on the criteria outlined under the heading 'Credit provision' of the faculty entry, which outlines their previous qualifications and experience, and this will determine level of advanced standing. They should prepare this portfolio in line with the details outlined in the booklet Learning From Experience. This booklet is available from the Professional Development Institute, Faculty of Education, Peninsula campus, Monash University, McMahon's Road, Frankston, Victoria, 3199, at a cost of $7 plus postage.

Course outline

The EdD consists of a combination of coursework and research. The course is available on campus or by external mode.

On-campus mode

Candidates may choose a program of study in their area of interest. These programs reflect the faculty's recognised expertise in teaching and research. They aim to engage candidates in a consideration of relevant approaches to research and methodology, philosophical, historical, psychological or sociological perspectives and fields of study such as educational policy, management and curriculum studies.
After successful completion of the two core and two elective semester-length coursework subjects, a candidate will be required to enrol in the research component, the first part of which is a compulsory research seminar. The focus of the research seminar is the development of a research proposal for presentation to an assessment panel at the conclusion of the seminar. Once the panel has approved the proposal, candidates may proceed to the thesis writing stage.

Core subjects

· EDF8101 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 1
· EDF8102 Advanced studies in educational research and practice 2

plus two elective subjects from the following list:

Elective subjects

· EDF8103 Research essay
· EDF8201 School effectiveness and improvement: research, policy and practice
· EDF8202 Educational management: theory, research and practice
· EDF8203 Human, financial and capital resource management in education
· EDF8204 Social context of education and training
· EDF8205 Philosophical issues in curriculum development
· EDF8206 Policy and management in tertiary education
· EDF8207 Law and educational administration
· EDF8208 Improving the quality of education
· EDF8209 Lifelong learning
· EDF8210 Schools for tomorrow
· EDF8211 Teachers' work: research and policy
· EDF8212 Research methods: scale construction and analysis
· EDF8213 Research in specialist curriculum areas
· EDF8214 Assessment, evaluation and the curriculum
· EDF8708 A tale of three countries, 1850-1993: tertiary education in Australia, the UK and the USA

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 appropriate staffing available.
This is a conceptual outline only. It gives a general indication of how the course will progress and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult course coordinators to assist in planning their program.

External mode

The external mode is available to part-time students only and will involve a combination of World Wide Web-based teaching and supervision and residential study. External candidates must be able to access the web and have regular interactive communication with their supervisor.

Subjects

The subject structure for this mode is identical with that of the on-campus mode, in that the core double subject EDF8101/EDF8102 must be taken in the first year, followed by two elective subjects. For students commencing in 2000, the structure will be as follows:

First and second semesters - 2000

Core double subject (EDF8101/EDF8102) delivered in World Wide Web-based mode, including on-line tutorial direction and support, on-line discussion forums, and multimedia materials.

April 2000

Two-week orientation school at Clayton campus: introduction to the course; orientation to Monash; introduction to electronic and information facilities; introductory reading for core subject teaching; establishing supervisory arrangements; preparatory reading for research topic.

Year 2001

Two elective subjects delivered by flexible World Wide Web-based mode, involving on-line tutorial direction and support, on-line discussion forums, and multimedia materials (on-campus versions of the subjects may also be available during summer school); preparatory reading and development of thesis proposal.

Year 2002 (and subsequent)

Three-week summer school: workshops on research methodology, research seminars, theoretical and data analysis, and thesis preparation; continued thesis development with on-line supervision and discussion forums. An additional residential week is required, which can be added on to the summer school or can be undertaken at another time convenient to the student.

Length of course/workload required

This course consists of up to five years of full-time study or up to eight years of part-time study. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

General information

Course code: 0079 · Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses
The regulations governing the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are located in the degree regulations section at the end of this handbook, and the doctoral information handbook obtainable from one of the faculty's three campuses.

Admission requirements

Applications for admission to PhD candidature may be lodged at any time of the year.

External candidature

Candidature by external mode is now available and can be on a full-time or part-time basis. Prospective candidates applying for this mode must be able to ensure regular interactive communication with their supervisor and be able to undertake the equivalent of 20 days of full-time study within the university each year. For further information, contact Mrs Sue Webb (Clayton campus)

Course structure

For the research interests available from the three campuses of the faculty, see the information under the heading of Master of Education.

Length of course/workload required

This course consists of up to five years of full-time study or up to eight years of part-time study. A full-time candidate is expected to devote at least four days a week to the research project (two days a week for a part-time candidate).