Postgraduate - Course4216 - Master in Inclusive and Special Education

This course meets the needs of educators, human development and community workers, educational managers and policy makers and others interested in inclusive education approaches. It develops informed and responsive professionals who can work with learners with special needs, those with language and learning challenges, challenging behaviours and/or learners with learning difficulties. It positions participants to develop, lead and model inclusive practices and approaches amongst colleagues, within wider educational and workplace systems and communities. The course develops participants' understanding of key concepts in inclusive and special education, it advances and consolidates their practice to integrate inclusion in learning contexts and it builds their leadership capacity to effect change in the communities in which they work.

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 the course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the inclusive educational contexts, principles, values and policies and their influences on practice
• recognise and evaluate the barriers to participation across learning contexts and age ranges
• examine areas of specialised practice to strengthen inclusion across learning contexts
• evaluate, apply and practise evidence-based approaches to strengthening inclusion of learners with diverse abilities
• develop strategies to lead and sustain inclusive practices in schools and/or systems and communities
• demonstrate capacity in synthesising and communicating ideas at an advanced academic level
• apply research processes to areas of professional interest and practice.

Students who have completed prior studies may be eligible for credit for prior studiescredit for prior studies (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/prospective/credit.html). Students with two or more years of full-time relevant informal learning may be eligible for recognition of prior learningrecognition of prior learning (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/prospective/credit.html).

This course includes an independent research dimension requiring the knowledge and application of research principles and practices applicable to a field of professional work or learning, or a capstone experience comprising professional experience and scholarship in a specific area of professional practice.

Mandatory checks and security clearances

Before participating in a professional placement in any educational setting students must meet specific security clearancessecurity clearances (http://www.education.monash.edu.au/placements/clearances/) that apply to the state or territory where the placement is being undertaken.

The course consists of orientation units, a key constructs unit, enhanced professional learning units and professional inquiry or research units.

Students must complete:

(a.) two orientation units (24 points):

• EDF4610 Interacting with research in education contexts
• EDF4611 Investigating education issues in global contexts

(b.) one or two of the following key constructs units (12 or 24 points):

• EDF5620 Leading education and work
• EDF5622 Developing learners and learning

(c.) three enhanced professional learning units (36 points):

• EDF5632 Understanding inclusion in learning communities
• EDF5656 Practising inclusion
• EDF5667 Positive behaviour support

(d.) professional inquiry units through one of the following two options (12 or 24 points):

Option 1:

• EDF5692 Professional practice in special and inclusive education

plus, if only one unit is completed at (b.), one of the following units:

• EDF5691 Professional project
• EDF5693 Using and evaluating research evidence
• EDF5694 Taking a stand in education debates
• EDF5695 Self-study as professional inquiry
• EDF5699 Extended teaching practice (0 points)*
• EDF5814 Creative research approaches

* This unit is a co-requisite unit for EDF5692 only for students registered to teach in Australia who are seeking professional registration as special education teachers.

Option 2:

A possible pathway to research is available to students who achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in the units of this course. The pathway is by invitation to students who meet this criterion and is not offered at the point of entry. However, students interested in this possibility must make space to pursue two units of professional inquiry by taking only one key constructs unit in (b.) above. Students invited into this pathway take the following two units:

• EDF5613 Research approaches in education
• EDF5614 Research project in education

Refer to the course mapcourse map (http://monash.edu/education/current-students/courses/maps/2014/2014-map-4216-mincsped-ft%20and%20pt.pdf) for the Master in Inclusive and Special Education for course progression advice.

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

• Graduate Diploma in Education Studies after successful completion of 48 points of study.

Master in Inclusive and Special Education