D6002 - Master of Education - 2017

This course addresses learning in schools, workplaces and community. It connects research and practice in order to make you a stronger thinker, an engaged practitioner and an advanced specialist in a field of education.

The course addresses the professional learning needs of educators, educational administrators, managers, policy makers and others interested or involved in learning and education or educational work in the wider community, whether based locally or internationally. You will broaden your knowledge of key learning constructs, deepen your professional learning in specialist areas and advance your capacity as a professional inquirer.

A research pathway is available for students who achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent (high credit) in units of this course. This is not available at the point of entry, but students interested in this pathway should consult the student adviser.

Note: This course does not provide a recognised initial teaching qualification. If you are seeking an initial teaching qualification refer to the information on the Faculty of Education's Master of TeachingMaster of Teaching (http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2017/teaching-d6001?id=429176) course.

Specialisations

Students can complete general education studies or one of the following specialisations:

• Adult learning
• Digital learning
• Early childhood education
• Educational leadership and policy
• Expert teaching practice
• Inclusive and special education.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. develop knowledge and understanding of educational contexts and their issues, values and practices
2. extend their understanding of key concepts relating to education
3. examine areas of enhanced professional learning and develop a deeper understanding of professional practice
4. develop critical analytical skills in discussing relevant research and academic concepts
5. apply research processes to areas of professional interest and practice
6. synthesise and communicate ideas at an advanced academic level
7. demonstrate advanced capacity as knowledgeable, evidence-informed and reflective practitioners.

The inclusive and special education specialisation in this course is endorsed by the Victorian Institute of TeachingVictorian Institute of Teaching (http://www.vit.vic.edu.au/) (VIT).

The course is structured in four parts: Part A. Orientation to education, Part B. Key constructs in education, Part C. Enhanced professional learning and Part D. Professional inquiry. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A and some units from other parts.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Part A. Orientation to education

These studies will introduce you to contemporary issues in the study of education. They are intended for students who come into the course without previous qualifications in education or work experience in education-related fields. You will engage with academic traditions and scholarly practices in the field of education at the postgraduate level, become acquainted with a broad range of debates across education contexts and develop an understanding of the complexities in the field.

Part B. Key constructs in education

These studies present key theoretical frames to understand ideas and research conducted across a broad theme of significance in the study of education. The themes offered include learners and learning, curriculum, pedagogy and assessment, education and work, sustainability and inclusion, from which you will choose one or two. You will engage with research that responds to the themes you choose and, as a result, advance your capacity to apply scholarly concepts in education more broadly.

Part C. Enhanced professional learning

These studies will deepen your knowledge of particular ideas and practices around your specialisation, build your skills and address professional issues. Taken together, these knowledge and skills will develop your expertise in the area of your specialisation to be applied across your learning and work contexts.

Part D. Professional inquiry

The focus of these studies is professional inquiry. You will address the challenges and opportunities of using and evaluating research evidence in professional practice. This could include engagement in practice in a field of professional work relevant to your specialisation. This may include an independent research dimension requiring the knowledge and application of research principles.

The course comprises 96 points structured into four parts: Part A. Orientation to education (24 points), Part B. Key constructs in education (12 or 24 points), Part C. Enhanced professional learning (24 or 36 points) and Part D. Professional inquiry (12 or 24 points).

Students admitted at:

• entry level 1 complete 96 points (8 units), comprising Part A (2 units), Part B (1 or 2 units), Part C (2 or 3 units) and Part D (1 or 2 units*).
• entry level 2 complete 72 points (6 units), comprising units from Part B (1 or 2 units), Part C (2 or 3 units) and Part D (1 or 2 units*).
• entry level 3 complete 48 points (4 units), comprising units from Part B (1 unit), Part C (2 units)and Part D (1 unit*).

* Two units are required in Part D. for students taking the research pathway.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2017handbooks/maps/map-d6002.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A. Orientation to education (24 points)

Students complete:

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

Part B. Key constructs in education (12 or 24 points)

Students complete one or two units from the following:

• EDF5620 Leading education and work
• EDF5621 Challenging curriculum, pedagogy and assessment
• EDF5622 Developing learners and learning
• EDF5623 Deepening education and sustainability
• EDF5632 Understanding inclusion in learning communities*

* Students in the inclusive and special education specialisation must complete this unit in their Part B studies. All other students may select this unit in their Part C studies.

Part C. Enhanced professional learning (24 or 36 points)

Students complete two or three units, from those listed under their specialisation, or as detailed for general education studies:

• Adult learning
• Digital learning
• Early childhood education
• Educational leadership and policy
• Expert teaching practice
• Inclusive and special education

General education studies

Students complete two or three units from those listed under any of the above specialisations.

Part D. Professional inquiry (12 or 24 points)

Students in the inclusive and special education specialisation complete the following 12 point unit with the option to complete the 0-point professional experience unit for eligible students:

• EDF5692 Professional practice in special and inclusive education
• EDF5699 Extended teaching practice (0 points)*

* This unit is only available for students registered to teach in Australia.

Students in all other specialisations complete one or two of the following units or the research pathway below:

• EDF5691 Professional project
• EDF5693 Using and evaluating research evidence
• EDF5694 Taking a stand in education debates
• EDF5695 Self-study as professional inquiry
• EDF5814 Creative research approaches

An alternative research pathway is available for students** who achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent (high credit) in the units of this course. This is not available at the point of entry, however students commencing at entry level 1 or 2 and interested in this possibility must make space to pursue two units of professional inquiry by restricting the number of units across Part B and Part C accordingly. Students commencing at entry level 3 who are interested in a research pathway should contact the student adviser to discuss options immediately after completing their first two units (with at least a 65 per cent average).

Students invited into this pathway take the following two units:

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

** Due to professional accreditation requirements, the research pathway is not available to students undertaking the inclusive and special education specialisation.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate of Education Studies after successful completion of 24 points of study
• Graduate Diploma of Education Studies after successful completion of 48 points of study.

Students who, by invitation, have completed EDF5613 (Research approaches in education) and EDF5614 (Research project in education) are eligible to apply for progression to a research degree if they meet the following requirements.

Graduates who achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent across the course and a minimum mark of 65 per cent in EDF5613 and EDF5614 are eligible to apply for admission to 3204 Master of Education, a research degree by thesis and coursework and may receive up to 24 points of credit towards the coursework requirement.

Graduates who achieve a weighted average mark of 70 per cent across the course and a minimum mark of 70 per cent in EDF5613 and EDF5614 are eligible to apply for admission to 0079 Doctor of Philosophy.