Faculty information

• About the faculty
  • Vision
• Coursework programs
• Research degrees
• Postgraduate and graduate programs
  • Postgraduate studies
  • Graduate studies
  • Course and student advisers
• Information relevant to all programs
  • Credit policy
  • Special requirements (fieldwork and Working With Children Check)
  • Professional registration

Course information

• Outline of postgraduate studies
  • Courses offered in 2013

Course-related policies and rules

• Government and University legislation

Introduction

The Faculty of Education is committed to innovative research and teaching that takes seriously the global/local interface of all the activities of a public university. The focus of our work is learning and development; the learning and development of individuals of all ages, and of organisations and communities.

Our mission is to contribute to the public interest through high-quality and ethical teaching, research and community service. To this end, we will create and pursue opportunities that strengthen and sustain a vibrant intellectual community.

Our vision is of:

• graduates who are capable, ethical citizens of the world, distinguished by their knowledge, intellectual engagement, professional skill and their innovation and flexibility
  
• research practice and scholarly output that is recognised locally and internationally for its originality, rigour and impartiality, and for providing advice and services that inform and lead professional practice, public debate, policy and community action
  
• an intellectual, social, physical and web environment that challenges, enthuses and supports all to learn and excel and which sustains productive working relations characterised by mutual respect, contribution and recognition.

The Faculty of Education is located on four Australian campuses: Berwick, Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula, and also teaches in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Faculty of Education's graduate/postgraduate programs are designed to develop effective, innovative and sensitive professionals who support the learning and development of a diverse range of individuals, organisations and communities.

The course structures outlined in this handbook are indicative of the program students will follow, but are subject to change. Students should consult the course adviser to assist in planning their program. To confirm unit availability, check the current timetable via the website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/current/timetables.

Note: not all graduate and postgraduate programs will be offered in any one year. Contact the relevant faculty office on the campus responsible for the program, from September onwards, for advice on which courses will have an intake the following year. Check the current timetable for unit availability via the website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/current/timetables after 30 September.

The faculty offers graduate/postgraduate coursework programs covering the following areas:

Curriculum and pedagogy

• initial teacher education (early childhood, primary, secondary)
• educational technologies
• literacy studies
• mathematics and science education
• music education

International education, language and cultural studies

• applied linguistics
• international education
• teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL)
• teaching English to speakers of other languages - international (TESOL International)
• teaching languages other than English (LOTE)

Psychology, counselling and inclusive and special/gifted education

• counselling
• gifted education
• psychology

Sport and outdoor recreation studies

• sport
• outdoor education
• physical education

Work, learning and leadership studies

• leadership, policy and change
• organisational leadership
• regional education and community development
• school leadership
• adult and work-based learning

The faculty research degrees program consists of the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Education (Research) and the combined coursework/research programs Master of Psychology (Counselling)/Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy.

The Master of Education (Research) course is offered in two forms:

• thesis only (30,000 to 40,000 words)
• thesis (20,000 to 25,000 words) and two coursework units.
  

The study program is designed to enable candidates to conceptualise and implement a major research project on a topic of interest to them. In the course of their research, they may draw on a range of research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. The research can be firmly grounded in their own professional life, taking the form of a sustained reflection on practice, or they could embark on another type of study, including ethnographic or sociological research, a survey-based study, policy analysis, historical research or discourse analysis. Candidates work with a supervisor to help them clarify the nature and scope of their research proposal. By embarking on research of this kind they will be joining a research community and will have the opportunity to participate in staff and student forums and conferences. The coursework component of the degree (for those who decide to do a thesis and two coursework units) is designed to underpin research, and supervisors will help students choose units relevant to the chosen topic.

External candidature

Candidature by external mode is available on a full-time or part-time basis.

Research programs

For general advice regarding research degrees offered by the faculty contact the administrative officer, HDR Admissions and Candidature, telephone +61 3 9905 2821 or +61 3 9905 9498, email researchdegrees@education.monash or visit the Research Degrees Office website at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/research/degrees/research-degrees-office.html.

Postgraduate studies

The faculty offers a wide range of postgraduate programs which may be taken either as coursework or research programs.

Graduate studies

Initial teacher education

Pre-service education of teachers is available at undergraduate and graduate levels, offering qualifications in early childhood, primary and secondary teaching. At the graduate level, the faculty offers graduate diplomas of education and master of teaching degrees, building upon a minimum three-year, non-education degree.

Early childhood

The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is offered on the Peninsula campus. This 96-point course is for those who hold a bachelor's degree, generally in a field other than education, and provides a qualification to teach in the early childhood years. This course develops students' theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of early childhood teaching. Students form a broad conceptual understanding of the field of education as active participants in both on-campus classes and off-campus teaching practicum placements.

Primary teaching

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) is offered on the Peninsula and Gippsland campuses. This course is designed as a fourth year of study (60 credit points) for those who hold a bachelor's degree, generally in a field other than education, and provides a qualification to teach in the primary years.

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is offered from the Berwick, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses. Graduates of this 96-point course are qualified to teach in primary schools. The course is for those who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education, and provides students with the opportunity to build on strengths developed in their undergraduate degree. Primary education students will develop deep knowledge of how primary aged children learn and how best to provide opportunities to develop and support such learning. Students gain valuable classroom experience by completing professional placements.

Secondary teaching

The Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) is offered from the Clayton and Gippsland campuses. The course is designed as a fourth year of study (60 credit points) for those who hold a bachelor's degree, in a field other than education, and provides a qualification to teach in the secondary years.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is offered from the Berwick, Clayton and Gippsland campuses. Graduates of this 96-point course are qualified to teach in secondary schools. The course is for those who hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education, and provides students with the opportunity to build on strengths developed in their undergraduate degree. Secondary education studies focus on adolescent learning and the nature of education, classroom teaching and practice in schools, education and its relationship to society and planning, and implementation and evaluation of the school curriculum. These courses combine academic studies about the foundations of education, with two teaching specialisms. These specialisms are ultimately what you are qualified to teach in school. Students also gain valuable classroom experience by completing professional placements.

Adult learning*

For students interested in adult learning, the adult and work-based learning specialisation offered within the Postgraduate Diplomas of Education and the Master of Education on the Clayton campus focuses on adult learning. It is designed to further knowledge of theory and practice in adult learning and development for education and training professionals working in TAFE, workplace and community settings.

The Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Clayton) and the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (Sunway only) provide a teaching qualification for staff currently employed at Monash University or at another tertiary institution or for those preparing for a career in higher education. They are offered through the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching (OPVCL&T).

Professional development

The Faculty of Education offers a range of other graduate level courses. These provide professional development opportunities for educators to upgrade their skills and qualifications and to use these studies as a pathway for entry into postgraduate studies.

Course and student advisers

Course advisers are located in the Admissions and Student Services Office at each campus and assist students from point of admission to course completion; all course enquiries should be directed to them.

Student advisers (academic staff members) work with and support students, including developing and maintaining systematic processes for student transition, monitoring, pastoral care and advice relating to academic content.

For routine inquiries, students should initially contact the Admissions and Student Services Office on their campus at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/contacts/courseenquiries.php.

Note: the course details provided in the entries below are for those students who began their studies in 2013. Students who commenced their studies prior to this date should consult the Handbook edition for the year in which they started their course. Archived Handbooks are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks.

Research

• 0077 / 3737* Master of Education - by thesis only
• 3204 / 3740* Master of Education - by thesis and coursework
• 3732 Master of Psychology (Counselling)/Doctor of Philosophy - by coursework and thesis
• 3736 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy - by coursework and thesis
• 0079 / 3738* Doctor of Philosophy - by thesis only

* Students enrolled in the second course code listed for these degrees should refer to the course details outlined under the entry for the first course code.

Graduate pre-service teacher education

• 0341 Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary)
• 1737 Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary)
• 4202 Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
• 4203 Master of Teaching (Primary)
  
• 4201 Master of Teaching (Secondary)
  

Graduate and postgraduate coursework

Note: for course 2500 Master of Education, 3210 Postgraduate Diploma of Education and 3721 Master in School Leadership students may graduate with a specialism recorded on their testamur.

• 4207 Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (24 points)
• 2550 Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (24 points)
  
• 3743 Graduate Certificate of Regional Education and Community Development (24 points)
• 3742 Graduate Diploma of Regional Education and Community Development (48 points)
• 3205 Postgraduate Certificate of Education (24 points)
• 3210 Postgraduate Diploma of Education (48 points)
• 3702 Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership (48 points)
• 3509 Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology (48 points)
• 3733 Master in Adult Education (Global) (72 points)
• 3239 Master in Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers (72 points)
• 3236 Master in Counselling (72 points)
• 3703 Master in Organisational Leadership (72 points)
• 3741 Master of Regional Education and Community Development (72 points)
• 3721 Master in School Leadership (48 points)
• 2500 Master of Education (72 points)
• 3209 Master of Education (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - International) (72 points)
• 3231 Master of Psychology (Counselling) (96 points)
• 3232 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) (96 points)