Postgraduate - Course2500 - Master of Education

This course is designed to meet the needs of educators, educational administrators, managers, policy makers and others interested or involved in learning and education or working in the wider educational community, who wish to pursue studies at postgraduate level. Students choose from a broad range of units and have the option of completing a designated specialisation pathway. Students may also undertake a research thesis or professional project as part of the course.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• extend their knowledge, understandings and skills in educational research and practice
• explore both the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching and learning, whether in early childhood settings, schools, workplaces or other settings
• investigate and examine the nature of professional learning and develop deeper understandings of evidence-based practice
• explore the relationship between research and practice
• display critical and analytical skills in discussing relevant and substantive research
• demonstrate knowledge about a range of research methodologies.

This course consists of one of the following three options:

• Option one: six elective units
• Option two: five elective units plus a professional project (8000 words)
• Option three: four elective units plus a minor research thesis (16,000 words).

Students who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies must select option three and complete the minor thesis.

An appropriate research core unit must be selected from the faculty suite of research methodology units. Elective units may be chosen to form a designated specialisation.

Option one

• 12-point research methodology unit
• five elective units (60 points)

Option two

• 12-point research methodology unit
• four elective units (48 points)
• EDF6010 Professional project (A) or EDF6020 Professional project (B) (8000 words) (12 points)

Option three

• 12-point research methodology unit
• three elective units (36 points)
• EDF6031 Masters thesis part 1 and EDF6032 Masters thesis part 2 (16,000 words) (24 points)

Elective units

Students can choose any 12-point units from the entire range of units offered within the education postgraduate coursework studies' programs.

Note: Electives usually do not need the course adviser's approval, unless there are exceptional circumstances (i.e. if the student wishes to enrol in a unit from another faculty).

Research methodology units

• EDF6005 Reading, interpreting and communicating research (12 points)
• EDF6006 Introduction to quantitative research methods (12 points)
• EDF6007 Qualitative approaches to research (12 points)
• EDF6008 Working with theory in research (12 points)
• EDF6009 Special topic in research (12 points)
• EDF6012 Specific focus in research A (6 points) and EDF6013 Specific focus in research B (6 points)

Research thesis

The research methodology unit is a co-requisite for the research thesis. It may be taken concurrently with the research thesis or completed prior to its commencement.

Specialisation pathways

Students may choose to enrol in a series of units which make up a designated specialisation in either 'early childhood' or 'leadership, policy and change'. The units making up each specialisation are shown below. Where students undertake a series of units that meet the requirements of an approved specialisation pathway, this specialisation will be shown on their testamur. Students may only complete one specialisation pathway.

Specialisation units

Early childhood

Students must complete the following six core units:

• EDF6009 Special topic in research
• EDF6010 Professional project (A) or EDF6020 Professional project (B)
• EDF6641 The social and political contexts of early childhood
• EDF6642 Contexts for childhood
• EDF6643 Values in early childhood
• EDF6822 Leadership and organisation or EDF6601 Studies in special education - inclusion

Leadership, policy and change

Students must complete the following six core units:

• EDF6009 Special topic in research
• EDF6010 Professional project (A) or EDF6020 Professional project (B)
• EDF6821 Power, authority and decision-making
• EDF6822 Leadership and organisation
• EDF6823 Management and change
• EDF6828 Resource management

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• Postgraduate Certificate of Education after successful completion of 24 points
• Postgraduate Diploma of Education after successful completion of 48 points.

Master of Education
Master of Education specialising in Adult and Work-based Learning
Master of Education specialising in Bilingual / Immersion Education
Master of Education specialising in Early Childhood Education
Master of Education specialising in Educational Technologies
Master of Education specialising in Gifted Education
Master of Education specialising in Inclusive and Special Education
Master of Education specialising in Information and Communication Technology in Education
Master of Education specialising in International Education
Master of Education specialising in Leadership, Policy and Change
Master of Education specialising in Literacy Studies
Master of Education specialising in Mathematics and Science Education
Master of Education specialising in Music Education
Master of Education specialising in TESOL
Master of Education specialising in TESOL - International
Master of Education specialising in Teaching Languages other than English (LOTE)
Master of Education specialising in Work and Learning Studies

Where more than one award is listed the actual award conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved, or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.