Master of Education (MC-ED)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2021 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
Contact
Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Contact Stop 1
Future students:
Principal Coordinator
Yvette Slaughter
Overview
| Award title | Master of Education |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2021 — Parkville |
| CRICOS code | 095802B |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 200 credit points |
| Duration | 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time |
The Master of Education is directed at individuals wanting to develop specialised knowledge and skills in educational theories, policies and approaches at the graduate level. The course has been designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of individuals who are wanting to develop and/or extend their expertise in pedagogy and assessment, arts and/or STEM education, international policies and comparative education, literacy education, student wellbeing, and/or leadership and management. The degree will meet the needs of practising teachers as well as those who are interested and/or involved in youth work, policy making, health education, and/or educational administration within the wider educational community, including government and non-government organisations (NGOs), as well as private providers.
Please note that this course will not provide you with registration to teach in Australia.
Links to further information
Information for future students: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-education/
Entry requirements
- In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- A three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in any discipline area.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
- In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance.
- The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
- Applicants are required to satisfy the university's English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.
Note:
Successful applicants with the following may be granted up to 100 credit points of advanced standing:
- a four-year education degree, or equivalent; or
- an undergraduate degree in any discipline and at least 100 credit points, or equivalent, of graduate study in education.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Graduate School policy to take reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the Graduate School's programs.
The core participation requirements for study in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education are:
In all courses
1. The ability to comprehend complex information related to education and the disciplines in which the student is teaching;
2. The ability to communicate clearly and independently in assessment tasks a knowledge of the content, principles and practices relating to education and other relevant disciplines;
3. Behavioural and social attributes that enable a student to participate in a complex learning environment.
Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
In courses requiring students to undertake practicum placements
4. The ability to undertake professional practice placements independently, including:
a. the ability based on personal maturity to establish a professional relationship with students and interact with them appropriately;
b. the ability to communicate to students the subject matter being taught with clarity and in a way that is age-sensitive;
c. the ability to model literacy and numeracy skills independently for students and in all their interactions meet community expectations of the literacy and numeracy skills teachers should have;
d. the ability to demonstrate skilfully and safely activities required in particular discipline areas being taught (e.g. physical education activities, science laboratory techniques);
e. the ability to create, monitor and maintain a safe physical environment, a stable and supportive psychological environment, and a productive learning environment in their classroom;
f. the ability to establish effective relationships with all members of the school community, including colleagues, students, and caregivers;
g. the ability based on mental and physical health to exercise sound judgment and respond promptly to the demands of classroom situations, and the personal resilience to cope and maintain their wellbeing under stress.
Students who feel a disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate an advanced theoretical understanding and knowledge of current research, debates, policies and practices in education from a multidisciplinary and global perspective
Skills
- Critically analyse educational theories, debates, policies and practice through evidence based research;
- Evaluate the social, cultural, political and historical contexts informing education policies and practices;
- Evaluate and communicate contemporary educational research ideas and findings to the wider educational community;
Application of knowledge and skills
- Critique and apply multidisciplinary educational theories and evidence based research to inform policy and/or improve professional practice;
- Apply specialised theoretical understanding and knowledge of current research, debates, policies and practices in education from a multidisciplinary and global perspective; and
- Plan and execute an education research based project, or produce a piece of education research scholarship within their area of specialisation.
Generic skills
Graduates of the Master of Education will develop the following set of generic skills:
- Critical reasoning and thinking
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Evidence based decision making
- Creativity and innovation
- Teamwork and professional collaboration
- Self-reflection, career awareness and lifelong learning
- Active and participatory citizenship.
Graduate attributes
Graduates of the Master of Education will have the necessary attributes to:
- evaluate contemporary educational issues and approaches from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including sociological, economical, psychological and pedagogical perspectives (academic distinction)
- contribute to discussions and debates associated with the role of education in addressing contemporary local, national and global issues (global citizenship)
- promote social justice, employability, career awareness, wellbeing and citizenship through educational policy and practice (integrity and self awareness)
- be creative, innovative, self directed and lifelong learners, able to link theory and practice and respond to the changing educational landscape (integrity and self awareness)
Course structure
2 Year Program (200 credit points)
The course requires the completion of 200 credit points of study over two years full time (or part time equivalent). The compulsory subjects completed in the first semester of the course provide a foundation in education studies. Students can choose to complete up to two specialisations in an area/s of interest, or tailor the course from a wide selection of subjects.
In the final semester of the course, students undertake a capstone professional project; or may choose to complete a research pathway option (conditional upon meeting the eligibility criteria).
In Year 1, Semester 1 (or the first 50 points of study), students must complete:
- 4 x compulsory subjects (50 points).
In Year 1, Semester 2 (or the second 50 points of study), students must complete:
- 4 x electives/specialisation subjects (50 points)
In Year 2 (or the final 100 points), students must complete:
- 6 x electives/specialisation subjects (75 points); and
- 1 x capstone professional project subject, in the final semester of the course (25 points)
Alternatively, students who meet the eligibility criteria may enrol into the Research Pathway* option. For those students, the Year 2 structure comprises:
- 4 x electives/specialisation subjects (50 points); and
- 2 x research pathway subjects, taken in the final semester of the course (50 points)
1 Year Program (100 credit points)
Students with 100 points of advanced standing complete 100 points of study over one year full time (or part-time equivalent).
Students must follow the 'Year 2' course structure, taking either the Capstone Professional Project option or the Research Pathway option.
Specialisations
Students can obtain a specialisation by satisfactorily completing Specialisation subjects in that area (totalling 50 points). Up to two specialisations can be obtained in the 200-point program.
- Arts Education
- Assessment and Pedagogy
- Equity, Diversity and Social Change
- Leadership and Management
- Literacy Education
- Mathematics and Science Education
- Policy in a Global Context
- Student Wellbeing
Electives
Electives may be chosen from:
- Education Level 3 Electives (up to 25 points, and taken in Year 1 of the 200-point program only);
- General Electives;
- Specialisation subjects (subjects listed within a specialisation may be taken as a single elective subject).
Students may also complete the following subjects as part of their elective study component:
- Subjects from one of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education specialist master degrees for which the student has the prerequisites;
- A relevant postgraduate subject from another Faculty/Graduate School for which the student has prerequisites, with permission;
- A negotiated project
Capstone Professional Project
Students complete an independent investigation of a topic that they regard as directly related to their own professional practice and/or within their area of specialisation in the 25-point Capstone Professional Project subject. The subject must be taken in the final semester of the course.
*Research Pathway
This pathway is designed for students intending to pursue further research, such as a PhD. It provides a grounding in educational research methodology and design.
The two research pathway subjects must be undertaken in the final semester of the course, and the following eligibility criteria must be met to enrol in the subjects:
- Students in the 200-point program must achieve an average of at least H2A (75%) in the first 150 points of the course;
- Students in the 100-point program must achieve an average of at least H2A (75%) in their first 50 points of their course.
Alternative Exit
Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with:
- A Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (GD-EDST), if they have satisfied the requirements for that award during their enrolment in this master's course (i.e., successfully completed the prescribed first 100 credit points of study of the 200-credit point master degree); or
- A Graduate Certificate in Education (GC-EDGEN), if they have satisfied the requirements for that award during their enrolment in this master degree course (i.e. successfully completed 50 credit points of study).
Subject options
2 Year Program (200 credit points)
YEAR 1 / FIRST 50 POINTS
Compulsory subjects
4 x compulsory subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90930 | Local Literacies in Global Contexts |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90929 | Understanding Education in Context |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91029 | Understanding the Student as Learner |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC91030 | Research in Educational Relationships |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
YEAR 1 / SECOND 50 POINTS
Electives/Specialisation subjects
4 x subjects chosen from:
- Specialisation subjects (Students who wish to obtain a specialisation must complete 4 Specialisation subjects as prescribed in that area, totalling 50 points); and/or
- Education Level 3 Electives (up to 25 points); and/or
- General Electives.
Specialisation subjects
Refer to Majors, minors & specialisations.
Education Level 3 Electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC30065 | Ethics, gender and the family | February (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC30071 | Expertise and Your Professional Career | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| EDUC30073 | Sport, Leadership and the Community | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| EDUC30076 | Wakanda: African Futures in Education | Winter Term (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC30067 | Youth and Popular Culture | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
General Electives
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90642 | Critical Thinking and Curriculum | August (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC90610 | Curriculum Design and Evaluation | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC91017 | Education Randomised Controlled Trials | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC90006 | Environmental Education | March (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC90933 | Evaluation in Education | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC90850 | Foundations of Evaluation |
Term 2 (Online)
Term 4 (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90937 | International Issues in Arts Education | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC90278 | Learners and Learning Difficulties | July (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| EDUC90686 | Literacy Leadership for Transformation | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC90685 | Literacy Practices and Diverse Learners | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC90946 | Mathematics Across the Curriculum | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
| EDUC90287 | Promoting Positive Learning | February (Online) |
12.5 |
| EDUC90290 | Promoting Positive Behaviour | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
YEAR 2 / SECOND 100 POINTS
Students can undertake either of the following two pathways:
Capstone Professional Project Option
6 x subjects chosen from:
- General Electives; and/or
- Specialisation subjects (Students who wish to obtain a specialisation must complete 4 Specialisation subjects as prescribed in that area, totalling 50 points);
and
- EDUC90989, which must be taken in the final semester of the course.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90989 | Capstone Professional Project |
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
Research Pathway Option
The research pathway must be taken in the final 50 points of the course, and the eligibility requirement must be met to enrol (refer to Course Structure).
4 x subjects chosen from:
- General Electives; and/or
- Specialisation subjects (Students who wish to obtain a specialisation must complete 4 Specialisation subjects as prescribed in that area, totalling 50 points);
and
- The research methodology (EDUC90419) and research design (either EDUC90558, or EDUC90931 & EDUC90932) subjects, which can be taken in order, or together.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUC90419 | Education Research Methodology |
February (Online)
February (Online)
July (Online)
|
12.5 |
| EDUC90558 | Education Research Design |
Semester 1 (Online)
Year Long (Online)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
37.5 |
| EDUC90931 | Education Research Design Part 1 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
18.75 |
| EDUC90932 | Education Research Design Part 2 | Semester 1 (Online) |
18.75 |
1 Year Program (100 credit points)
Students in the 1 Year Program (100 credit points) follow the 'Year 2' course structure above, taking either the Capstone Professional Project option or the Research Pathway option. Students who wish to undertake the Research Pathway must have at least an H2A average (or equivalent) in the first 50 points of the course.
Electives may be chosen from Specialisation subjects or General Electives. Students who wish to obtain a specialisation must complete Specialisation subjects as prescribed in that area (totalling 50 points).
Majors, minors & specialisations
Master of Education Specialisations
Students who wish to obtain a specialisation must complete 4 Specialisation subjects as prescribed in that area, totalling 50 points.
Subjects listed under specialisations may also be taken as single elective subjects.
| Name | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Arts Education | 50 |
| Assessment and Pedagogy | 50 |
| Equity, Diversity and Social Change | 50 |
| Policy in a Global Context | 50 |
| Leadership and Management | 50 |
| Literacy Education | 50 |
| Mathematics and Science Education | 50 |
| Student Wellbeing | 50 |
Further study
Graduates from this program are eligible to apply for entry to the Doctor of Education (300BB) provided they achieve an H2A average in the program, and meet the other entry requirements. Graduates who successfully complete the Research Pathway option with achievement of an H2A average, are eligible to apply for entry to the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) - Education (DR-PHILEDU). For other graduates to be eligible to apply for entry to the Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) - Education, achievement of an H2A grade average and completion of a further 50-point Graduate Certificate in Educational Research (GC-EDRES) or equivalent will be necessary. Please note also that graduates of an undergraduate Honours degree may already be eligible for doctoral studies, subject to the same entry and achievement requirements.
Last updated: 18 March 2025