The Master of Educational Studies degree is intended for practising teachers and other educators who wish to gain postgraduate professional qualifications in a wide variety of educational contexts and to acquire or update their expertise. The approach used in the program blends theory and practice, with an emphasis on applying research findings to best educational practices. The program is undertaken by coursework, with the option of undertaking an Educational Research Specialisation consisting of a minor thesis with research methodology courses.

The Master of Educational Studies is available in the following areas of interest:

• Aboriginal
• Comparative and International
• Creative and Performing Arts, Media and Learning
• Educating Boys
• Engaging Families and Communities
• Engineering
• Equity in Education
• Personalised Learning
• History
• ICT and Digital Learning
• International Curriculum Studies
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Pedagogy
• Philosophy
• TESOL
• Educational Research

Courses in the Master of Educational Studies incorporate key issues and concepts required by professional educators. The program offers high quality professional development opportunities for teachers, corporate and community educators from a range of backgrounds and provides students with the flexibility to tailor their course choices to fit with their individual commitments.

Courses in the Master of Educational Studies are relevant to educators working in school, rural, distance and higher education, health services, business and consultancy/advisory services. The programme is designed to enable educators to select courses to suit their professional needs and enhance their career opportunities.

Program convenor to enter

Admission to the Master of Educational Studies degree is open to applicants who have satisfactorily completed a four year Bachelor degree or a three year degree and a Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent. Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for direct entry to the award may complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies award (40 units) prior to entering the Masters award, and may then seek up to 40 units of credit in the Masters degree.

Note: It is assumed that applicants are qualified teachers, but others may apply. This is NOT an initial teaching qualification.

For students interested in undertaking the Mathematics or Engineering Specialisations, who are not current teachers in NSW, please consult with the Program Officer or Program Convenor prior to enrolling.

Admission to this program is available to Australian students, residents and international students. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/campaigns/postgrad/how-to-apply.html for information on how to gain entry.

For those interested in undertaking the Mathematics Specialisation, who are not current teachers in NSW, please consult with the Program Officer/Convenor prior to enrolling.

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program go to https://intraweb.newcastle.edu.au/catso/pages/credittransferhome.aspx to apply online.

Candidates will be able to seek credit for up to 40 units at the Masters level based on appropriate studies undertaken at a similar level at another University or another related postgraduate program. Successful completion of the required 40 units for the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies will also provide articulation into the relevant Coursework Masters program.

Some accreditation is possible within specialisation areas. The degree, however, is not an initial teaching qualification. Please contact Specialisation Convenor.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All International Students enrolled in the program will be provided with an orientation to familiarise them with the rules, expectations, facilities and services offered by the University. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/international/student-support/ to find out more about the support services available to international students.

Program convenor to enter

Students with disabilities who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/ for more information.

The Faculty of Arts and Education accepts responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations for students with special needs, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, which offers practical assistance and advice to students with a disability or chronic illness.

The program may be undertaken on-campus or through WebLearn. Please refer to the timetable information for individual course availability and location of offer as not all courses are offered in both modes.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/lsp/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

Program convenor to enter

Students are required to complete 80 units of approved courses to be eligible for the award of Master of Educational Studies.

All students must complete at least one coursework specialisation and fulfil the requirements of that specialisation, which will include compulsory courses or a combination of compulsory and directed courses. See each specialisation's entry below for more specific details.

With their remaining units of study (where there are any), students have the option of selecting electives from across the range of specialisations available in the Master of Educational Studies (or the University's offerings at 6000 level more generally); completing a second coursework specialisation (assuming they meet the requirements for the specialisation as listed); or may decide to complete a research specialisation option involving the conduct of an individual research project.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC SPECIALISATIONS

• History - Students seeking to qualify as a History Teacher in Australia should take their remaining directed units in History at 6000 level. Depending on what units a student has already completed in undergraduate studies, the exact number of units required to qualify in a single History discipline (ie. either History or Ancient History) may vary. Students should consult the coordinator of the specialisation, or the Program Coordinator for more details, and examine the subject knowledge requirements of the NSW Institute of Teachers as a guide: http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/Subject-Content-Requirements-abridged.html

• Mathematics Education - Students seeking to be recognised as a Mathematics teacher by the NSW Department of Education and Training must complete ALL compulsory Courses in the Mathematics Specialisation.

• TESOL - Students seeking to be recognised as a TESOL teacher by the NSW Department of Education and Training must complete ALL Directed Courses in the TESOL Specialisation.

• Educational Research - Students wishing to complete the minor thesis research project must apply directly to the Program Convenor. Permission to complete the minor thesis will be granted where the student's performance to-date shows sufficient merit, and adequate supervision is available. The School of Education reserves the right to refuse a student entry to the Minor Thesis units where they do not meet the above criteria.
• Other than the minor thesis, the courses in the Educational Research Specialisation may be selected as additional directed courses by all students.

All courses are taught at postgraduate level. Not all courses are offered each semester. The Faculty reserves the right not to offer courses if there is insufficient demand.

As programs are regularly reviewed and updated some students may experience changes to their program of study during the course of their enrolment, and which may require transition arrangements. Students affected by changes to the program or experiencing transition problems are advised to check existing arrangements at "Further information". Students should consult with the Student Hub or Program Convenor for further information re transition arrangements.