Course details

Summary

This traditional qualification, the Master of Education (MEd), has been refreshed to allow for a 180-point coursework pathway for current teachers, educational professionals, counsellors, researchers and leaders to gain a master's level qualification. The MEd is designed to give participants the opportunity to examine practice and critical issues in education, and in their area of specialisation if desired.

Students can complete a:

• coursework-only path of study or
• a mix of courses and an original thesis (worth 90 points).

The Master of Education may be awarded unendorsed or endorsed in eight disciplines ranging from e-Learning and Digital Technologies to Special and Inclusive Education. See 'Subjects and courses' below for the list of endorsements.

This is an ideal qualification for those who have already undertaken some postgraduate study. Graduates of the MEd are ideally placed to achieve research-informed teaching and leadership in their particular educational setting.

The MEd can be awarded through one of two pathways:

a) 120-point pathway which can be either:

endorsed in Inclusive and Special Education

unendorsed through the completion of a thesis.

Candidates can complete either a 120-point thesis or a 90-point thesis and 30 points of coursework.

b) 180-point pathway which can be either unendorsed or endorsed in one of eight areas. See 'Subjects and courses' below.

Candidates can select one of three flexible courses of study:

endorsed coursework with at least 90 points of courses in the area of specialisation

unendorsed coursework

coursework and a thesis.

Subjects and courses

The 120-point pathway can be either unendorsed or endorsed in:

Inclusive and Special Education

The 180-point pathway can be either unendorsed or endorsed in one of eight areas:

• Curriculum and Pedagogy
• e-Learning and Digital Technologies
• Hoaka Pounamu: Te Reo Maori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching
• Inclusive and Special Education
• Leadership
• Literacy
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Teaching and Learning Languages.

Further study

Students can study a Doctor of Education at UC, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Education.

Career opportunities

Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.

Entry criteria

Candidates for the 120-point pathway must have:

• completed either a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education or equivalent, with at least a B+ average
• applicants for the endorsement in Inclusive and Special Education must have qualified for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education endorsed in Inclusive and Special Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching or equivalent.

Candidates for the 180-point pathway must have:

• qualified for a Bachelor's degree with a major in Education, Psychology, related discipline or an equivalent qualification; or
• qualified for any other degree of a New Zealand university, and hold a professional teaching qualification; or
• been admitted under Admission Ad Eundem Statum as entitled to enrol for the Master of Education.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.