INTRODUCTION

The Master of Education program of Edith Cowan University provides an opportunity for persons concerned with educational practice to undertake advanced coursework and/or research in a field of particular interest to them and to gain an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification.  It can be completed in one year full-time or part-time equivalent.

A choice of strands of study is available: one involving coursework (eight units); one involving coursework (four units) and a thesis (four units); and another involving a research thesis (eight units).  The coursework Master of Education is intended to improve the professional practice of educators.  The research Master of Education requires that the student has capacity to work under the direction of a supervisor to plan and implement a significant research activity.  The research degree is for practitioners who wish to develop competence in research.

The Master of Education provides direct admission to the Doctor of Philosophy.  Students who intend completing the eight unit coursework strand followed by the Doctor of Philosophy are advised to complete a research preparation unit.

The Master degree is not an introductory teaching qualification nor is it a licence to teach.  The coursework, thesis and research Master degrees should prepare graduands to provide educational leadership in the organisations and forums in which they practise.  Educational leadership centres on the negotiation of agreement about purposes, values, strategies and administrative procedures which improve learning by students.  The coursework degree provides the graduand with the capacity to apply knowledge about education to a particular context.  The research degree prepares the graduand to inquire into the nature of educational problems and generate new knowledge which can be used to enhance opportunities for learning.

When undertaking research, students are encouraged to become involved in applied research which attempts to provide solutions to the problems faced by learners, teachers, administrators, consultants and policy-makers.  In particular, they will be able to participate in ongoing research projects being conducted by the various teams of the School of Education and by its research institute and centres: the Centre for Schooling and Learning Technologies (CSaLT), the Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Centre, the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre and the Centre for Applied Language and Literacy Research.

COURSE LOCATION AND MODE OF STUDY

The Master of Education course is available by full-time or part-time study on Churchlands and Mount Lawley campuses.  It is also available by external study with many web-based units available.

Students wishing to study full-time should ensure that they discuss their proposal with the appropriate specialist coordinator before committing themselves to full-time study, since not all units may be available in a particular year.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Places in the program are available through competitive admission.  Applicants are selected on the basis of academic background and professional experience.

Academic Qualifications

(i)   a Bachelor of Education degree; or

(ii)  a Bachelor level degree in any other field, plus a Graduate Diploma of Education or one year full-time or equivalent study in a relevant area; or

(iii) a four year degree in an area of study that has application to education.

Students entering the Master of Education by thesis would normally require an Honours degree (Level 1, 2A or 2B).

Professional Experience

Normally at least one year of relevant professional experience.

Additional Evidence

Applicants must provide evidence of the capacity to undertake advanced studies at postgraduate level.  Documentation relating to the applicant’s professional experience must also be provided.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who previously have not studied in an English medium university must provide evidence of their capacity to undertake advanced studies through English.  This evidence may include scores attained on TOEFL or IELTS examinations.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The Master of Education is an eight unit program that can be completed in one year full-time or equivalent part-time through one of the following strands:

i)    eight units of coursework

ii)   four units of coursework and a four unit research thesis

iii)  a research thesis (equal to eight units)

Master of Education

by Coursework and Research Thesis

Course Code 670

Coursework

Students are required to complete RES5101 or an approved alternative research unit, plus three other level 5 units.  One of these three units should be a research oriented independent study unit (EDU6188 or EDU6189).  All four units are to be selected in consultation with a specialist coordinator.  The advanced coursework will develop knowledge and understanding of research in one or more specialist areas.  For information on unit selection, see the information under Master of Education by coursework.

Research Thesis

The Master of Education thesis is equivalent to four units of study.  The thesis topic can be chosen from areas that relate to the student’s own professional work or from other areas of interest.  A higher level of scholarship is expected in the Master of Education thesis than in an Honours thesis.  This level would be exemplified by the use of more sophisticated research methods, or measurement or by a more extensive data collection procedure relating to a more complex model than that required in an Honours thesis.  It is expected that the thesis will add to knowledge in a selected field of study.  An adapted version of a good quality thesis would be of a standard suitable for publication in a refereed journal.  The length of the thesis in its typed final form, excluding references and appendices, would normally be 25,000-35,000 words.

Students will work with a specialist coordinator and/or supervisor to identify and clarify a thesis topic.  Students prepare a detailed proposal that can be presented to a graduate seminar involving interested staff and students.  Following the graduate seminar, students will submit for approval to the School Postgraduate Study Committee a detailed research proposal.  Ethics clearance is required from the Committee for Conduct of Ethical Research.

The thesis is equivalent to four units (EDU6180, EDU6181, EDU6182 and EDU6183) and students must remain enrolled in at least one of these thesis preparation units while they are conducting research and writing the thesis until the thesis is submitted for examination.  When the thesis is submitted for examination the student should have completed at least the equivalent of four unit enrolments.

Visual Arts Education

The Master of Education (Visual Arts Education) is designed for students who have a background in teaching and who wish to link studio practice with education.  Students enrolled in this stream should be motivated by the desire to develop their knowledge and understanding of the artistic process which they could apply in their teaching.

This award maintains the standard framework of the Master of Education program but differs in two respects:

(i)   completion of AED5107 Landscape and You (an external unit),

(ii)  inclusion of an alternative presentation mode for the thesis - this being a Creative Project in the form of a presentation or exhibition supported by a written component.