Master of Education

This information is currently being updated. For current unit codes and names, click here to access the Postgraduate Handbook.

Course code 2050

Master of Education (Honours)


Course code 2051
Course coordinator: Dr Cedric Grieve

The Master of Education and the Master of Education (Honours) courses are designed for teachers and school leaders wishing to pursue postgraduate study in Education. Particular focus is given to the role of the Christian teacher/administrator in enhancing moral and faith development within a context of Christian education. The Master of Education is offered as either a coursework degree or a combination of coursework and research. The Master of Education (Honours) is a research degree that prepares graduates for further work involving educational research. Studies are available in four areas:

  • Educational Administration

  • Christian Education

  • Curriculum Studies

  • TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language)



Duration


The duration varies with the pattern selected:
Patterns 1–3 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Pattern 4 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Part-time students typically progress at the rate of three or four subjects per year. Flexibility allows students to either ‘fast-track’ their course by taking an overload, or take fewer subjects in some years if necessary.

Credit points


MEd Patterns 1–3 Eight subjects (48 credit points)
Pattern 4
Twelve subjects (72 credit points)
MEd(Hons) Twelve subjects (72 credit points)

Mode of delivery


Most subjects are delivered in mixed mode, comprising distance learning components and a residential session at Avondale College (Lake Macquarie Campus), or other designated centre, in the June–July period. The residential session provides opportunity for students to be involved in significant student-lecturer and student-student interaction.

Students receive subject outlines, textbooks, readings, and a distance education study guide. Lecturers and the course coordinator are available to communicate with students by phone or email. Then, students attend a residential school designed to provide an integrating perspective to the subject. Personal contact with the lecturer/s and peers and library research is possible during this time. Finally students complete assignments designed to foster field-based reflection and application of the concepts encountered. Contact between students and lecturers is maintained via phone and email.

Abbreviations of course titles


MEd
MEd(Hons)

Accreditation


The courses are accredited by the NSW Department of Education and Training.

Entry requirements.


A four-year Bachelors degree in education or a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Teaching or equivalent. In exceptional circumstances admission may be granted on the basis of equivalent qualifications and/or experience as assessed by the Faculty of Education Research and Teaching Committee. Verification of credentials is required at the time of application. An average mark of 70% or greater in the first three subjects of the Master of Education course is required for admission to the MEd(Hons).

Applicants whose Bachelors degree was not undertaken in English must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving an IELTS score of at least 6.5, with no individual band score less than 6.0. An official statement of IELTS results must accompany the application form.

Preference will be given to applicants with employment experience in education and applicants should include a written summary of their work experience with the application form. Applicants may receive advanced standing up to 50% of the MEd course provided the subjects which form the basis of the application were undertaken at an equivalent level and were of an equivalent weighting to the Avondale College MEd subjects and/or course.

Course structure


The course is offered in four patterns plus an honours option. Patterns 1, 2 and 4 are coursework and project combinations, Pattern 3 consists of coursework and a minor thesis. All patterns include a Christian Studies subject and at least one subject in research methodology. The minor thesis option offers students research experience which can form the basis for progression to doctoral studies. All subjects are worth 6 credit points and require a notional time commitment of 170 hours.

Pattern 1 (48 credit points)


Generic subjects in a coherent sequence including coursework and a project

  • One Christian Studies subject 6 cr pts

  • Research Methodology 6 cr pts

  • Five subjects approved by the Course

  • Coordinator 30 cr pts

  • Project 6 cr pts



Pattern 2 (48 credit points)


Strand-specific coursework pattern

  • One Christian Studies subject 6 cr pts

  • Research Methodology 6 cr pts

  • Four subjects all from the same group 12 cr pts

  • Two electives or 6 cr pts

  • Elective and Project 6 cr pts



Pattern 3 (48 credit points)


Strand-specific coursework and a minor thesis

  • One Christian Studies subject 6 cr pts

  • Research Methodology 6 cr pts

  • Three subjects in the same group 9 cr pts

  • Minor thesis related to the group selected 9 cr pts



Master of Education (Honours) (72 credit points)


NOTE: An average mark of 70% or greater in the first three subjects of the Master of Education course is required for admission to the MEd(Hons)


  • One Christian Studies subject 6 cr pts

  • Two Research Methodology subjects 12 cr pts

  • Two subjects from the same group 12 cr pts

  • Major Thesis in the same area as the chosen group 42 cr pts



Group A—Christian Studies subjects


Christian Studies subjects are designed to allow students to examine education from an holistic Christian perspective where the spiritual dimension of personhood is included and integrated.



Group B—Research subjects




Group C1—Educational Administration



Group C4 - TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language


Strand Coordinator Lana Hibbard




Articulation from in-service programs to Master of Education subjects


Participants in approved teacher in-service seminars offered by the Avondale College Faculty of Education may, by completing a specified assignment or project, build this in-service experience into academic credit towards a Master of Education subject. Academic credit is available only if the in-service seminar is supplemented by satisfactory completion of the associated assigned work.
Seminar participation plus satisfactory completion of the associated assigned work will together earn one credit point. The assigned work will be equivalent in scope and difficulty to comparable assignment/project work in a regular 500-level subject.
The credit specified above may be augmented to 6 credit points at Masters level by completion of further assigned work. To earn 6 credit points, the work completed must be equivalent in scope and level to the academic content of a 6 credit point Master of Education subject.

Note


School leaders and principals wishing to undertake educational administration as a specialty area are reminded that the following two courses are available under the Faculty of Business and Information Technology section of this Handbook.
a Master of Leadership and Management
(Course code 2045)
b Master of Leadership and Management (Hons)
(Course code 2046)