MA Education

he new MA Education has been validated to ensure that the content relates directly to the work of educational professionals in their settings.  All content and assignments are work-related, enabling participants to consider the latest theoretical underpinning for the subject area selected to be evaluated in the context of their delivery.  Students may select from 3 named routes:

MA Education (Learning & Teaching);

MA Education (Leadership);

MA Education (Additional Learning Needs);

Or

Make their own selection of modules to achieve the generic MA Education award.

The  MA Education (Additional Learning Needs) has two pathways.  There are generic SEN/ALN modules or, candidates may elect to study the specific British Dyslexia Association accredited modules to achieve the Approved Teacher Status (ATS) and then the Associate Member of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA) awards.

The MA education has been designed to meet the requirements of the Welsh Government’s priorities for education and caters for a wide range of professionals who are involved in delivering education in a variety of organisations and related settings.  Partners involved in the design of this programme included:  local authorities; FE colleges; voluntary and community organisations, nurse educators; headteachers; teachers and current students.

Whatever setting you come from, you will be challenged to extend your thinking about the subjects you select, deepen your understanding of the content and theoretical foundations of the area and, be encouraged to reflect critically upon how this will impact on your practice.  All assignments will be context related to enable you to implement many of the ideas discussed and to evaluate their success. Key facts

• The course is designed in partnership with LEAs, local further and higher education and trainingproviders, professional agencies and leading consultants
• The MA provides Continuing Professional Development for professionals working in schools, further education and training, higher education and community and voluntary sectors
• The course provides progression opportunities from undergraduate level by offering a number of exit points: single module, postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and MA Education

Course duration

Full-time

1 year

Part-time

2-3 years

The delivery for the part-time programmes will be 10 Saturdays per year.  The full-time programme will be 10 Saturdays plus modules delivered during the week days.

Career opportunities

This course provides a career-enhancing, internationally-recognised award that is valued by many professions.

Course content

The programme is structured to develop your skills and concepts incrementally through the following stages:

Postgraduate Certificate stage: 1 core module: Mastering Professional Learning, and 1 option module.

Postgraduate Diploma stage: 1 core module: Research Methodology and Enquiry in Education, and 1 option module.

MA Education stage:A dissertation on an aspect of interest that you wish to explore.

A selection of the option modules available include (subject to numbers):

• Overview of behaviour management;
• Supporting mathematical learning: pupils with specific learning difficulties;
• Supporting pupils with literacy difficulties and dyslexia;
• Inclusion;
• Poverty, Attainment and Education;
• Learning from Teaching
• Promoting Positive Behaviour
• Recognising, Respecting and Developing Individuality
• Curriculum Design and Development
• Learning and Assessment
• Language and Literacy in Learning and Teaching
• Effective Professional Learning Communities (60 credits)
• Teaching Critical Thinking, Reasoning and Argument Skills
• Teaching and Learning with Technology
• Mentoring to Develop and Improve Professional Practice
• Negotiated Learning
• Leadership and Management in Education
• Leading and Managing Professionals
• Accountability, Evaluation and School Improvement
• Strategic and Developmental Planning for School Improvement

Entry requirements and applying

A good honours degree or appropriate professional qualification with experience in an educational setting.  Many modules will require you to be working in, or have access to, an educational environment.