Master of Education

The Master of Education is an introductory higher degree allowing two alternative patterns of study. One pattern focuses on a professional development orientation for educators, and the other pattern has a research orientation for candidates interested in pursuing study beyond this degree.

Entry Requirements for the Degree Program

The degree of Master of Education (MEd) in the Faculty of Education shall be subject to the University's rules for the award of the degree of Master together with the following guidelines:

1. To qualify for admission as a candidate for the Master of Education, a student shall have qualified for a Bachelors degree of the University, or an equivalent qualification from an approved institution, with a major study in Education, provided that the degree or equivalent qualification has a minimum study duration of four years. Other qualifications or substantial professional experience may be considered as meeting these requirements and should be discussed with the Head of the Graduate School of Education.

2. Candidates with a three-year qualification in Education may be considered for admission to an extended (72cp) MEd program.

3. A candidate may not include in this degree program any subject which the candidate has previously taken and had credited towards a qualification accepted for admission under Section 1 of these requirements.

course Charges:
The MEd is a fee-paying program. Fees for on-campus programs in 2000 will be $138.54 per credit point. ($831.24 per 6cp subject).

The MEd is also available by distance education in the specialisations of Literacy, TESOL and Information Technology as a fee-paying program.

Requirements for the Degree Program

The MEd program will normally comprise 48cp of study.

Either

(i) the professional orientation stream:

(a) EDGZ900 Introduction to Research Methods in Education (8 credit points), and
(b) at least 24 credit points from a single Program (major specialisation). The core of subjects to be covered to complete a specialisation will vary from Program to Program, and up to
(c) 16 credit points of electives chosen from any Program. The amount of choice available will vary from Program to Program.

Or

(ii) The research orientation stream, for students wishing to proceed directly to MEd (Hons) by thesis or Doctoral programs:

(a) EDGZ900 Introduction to Research Methods in Education (8 credit points), and
(b) 8 credit points of advanced studies in qualitative or quantitative research methods (either EDGZ901 Advanced Qualitative Research Methods or EDGZ902 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods), and
(c) at least 24 credit points from a single Program. The core of subjects to be covered to complete a specialisation will vary from Program to Program, and
(d) EDGZ903 Minor Project in Education (8 credit points) in the same Program.

Specialisations on testamur

From 1997 a candidate may be eligible to include a specialisation on the final degree testamur. (eg MEd specialising in Information Technology or MEd specialising in Special Education). In order to qualify for a specialisation to be recorded on the degree testamur, a candidate must complete at least thirty credit points from the chosen Program area. Joint specialisations will not be recorded.

Progression to Higher Degrees:

1. Students who have completed an MEd degree in the professional development orientation may proceed to MEd(Hons), provided they meet the program requirements for students who do not have a research component in the MEd (see MEd(Hons) entry requirements).

2. Entry to Doctoral degrees (EdD or PhD) may be available to candidates who meet the University entry requirements for Doctoral candidature. Normally this would be an appropriate Masters degree, completed at credit (65%) level or better .

Suggested progression patterns

The Master of Education degree will normally be completed in two sessions of full-time study, or in four to six sessions of part-time study. Maximum length of candidature is eight sessions of part-time study. The first two sessions of part-time study are the same for both the professional and research orientation streams.

A part-time student will complete up to two subjects each session. The sequence of study in the specialisation will be determined by the subjects on offer in each year and by the pattern of pre- and co-requisites in each Program. Any alternative patterns of study must be discussed with both the Program Co-ordinator and the Head of the Graduate School.

Note: EDGZ900 Introduction to Research Methods in Education is a single session subject which is repeated in Autumn and Spring session, and is also available as a self-study program in Autumn, Spring and Summer session. Students have the choice of session in which to complete it, but should consider the advice of the Program Co-ordinator for their specialisation. It is a compulsory component of the Master of Education program and must be completed as one of the first four subjects studied. No exemptions will normally be considered.

Course of study

It should be noted that not all the following subjects will necessarily be offered in 2000. Final arrangements will depend upon student numbers and staff resources. Prospective students are strongly recommended to discuss their program of study with the Co-ordinator responsible for the Program in which they are interested or the Head of the Graduate School and obtain a copy of the relevant Graduate School of Education Handbook.

All MEd students are required to include EDGZ900 Introduction to Research Methods in Education in their program. Additional specific requirements for program specialisations are listed below.

Suggested Progression
Note this is a suggestion only, and individual student requirements should be discussed with the academic adviser for the specialisation.
Actual subject choice will depend on timetable constraints.
Session One
Part time 6 or 8 credit points in specialisation
(optional) 6 or 8 credit points in specialisation
Full-time-all above plus EDGZ900 Introduction to Educational Research Methodolgy (8cp)
Session Two
Part time 6 or 8 credit points in specialisation
(optional) EDGZ900 Introduction to Educational Research Methodolgy (8cp)
Full-time 6 or 8 credit points in specialisation + 16 credit points electives
Session Three
Part time 6 or 8 credit points in specialisation
(optional) 6/8cp elective subject
Session Four
Part time EDGZ900 Introduction to Educational Research Methodolgy (8cp)
Session Five/Six
Part time Remaining coursework requirements

Specialisations are available in the areas of:
Program: Adult Education and Training

Subjects in this group do not constitute a separate area of specialisation, but provide the various methodology and project subjects which are required for completion of the MEd and higher degrees as explained above in the section Patterns of Study.

Advanced Standing

The Faculty of Education has approved up to 8 credit points of Advanced Standing in the Master of Education to currently enrolled candidates who have completed any of the following Department of School Education, AMES and other accredited professional development courses:

• Adult Literacy Teaching: A Professional Development course, or
  
• Cambridge/RSA Certificate in English Language Teaching, or
  
• Certificate in School Leadership and Management, or
  
• Certificate of Special Education(Integration)*, or
  
• Certificate of Faculty Administration*, or
  
• Collaborative Learning and Reflective Practice*, or
  
• Computing Studies Intensive Methodology course (CSIM), or
  
• Design and Technology Training Agents
  (Completion of this course with the Tertiary Extension Lobe will allow candidates 8 credit points of Advanced Standing in the Curriculum specialisation plus 8 credit points Advanced Standing for an elective subject), or
  
• Diploma in TESOL (UNSW/WELC), or
  
• Educative Leadership, or
  
• ESL Basic Training K-12, or
  
• Faculty Leadership for Effective change (FLEC), or
  
• Frameworks: A Literacy & Learning course*, or
  
• Frameworks: Assessment & Evaluation Module *, or
  
• Interactive Multimedia Workshop (Univ. Wollongong)*, or
  
• Introduction to Functional Grammar (NSW AMES), or
  
• Learning Assistance Support Team (LAST), or
  
• LOTE Intensive Methodology (LIM), or
  
• Supervision for Effective Teaching (SET), or
  
• Team Leadership course (TLC)* formerly FLEC.
  

*Accreditation of these courses requires completion of an extended assessment lobe. See relevant Program Co-ordinator for details.
Specialisation requirements must still be met by the candidate, ie, normally this credit cannot be substituted for a compulsory subject within a program, or form part of a specialisation within a program. Candidates may claim a maximum of eight credit points of Advanced Standing on this basis in one program of study.