Master of Philosophy in Education

Rationale

To prepare researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of education generally including knowledge about the professional practice at an advanced level.

Purpose

The degree provides advanced training in the field of study including techniques of research, data analysis and Scholarly presentation appropriate to the field of education. The degree will equip the learner with the knowledge and the skills necessary either for employment in a related field (including teaching and research positions) or for further independent research toward the degree of PhD.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Non-Honours learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an Honours degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Education Honours, NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Full dissertation.
• Curriculum Studies.
• History Education.
• Applied Language and Literacy Studies.
• Mathematics Education.
• Educational Administration.
• Planning and Social Policy.
• Science Education.
• Adult Education.
• Higher Education Studies.
• Education Technologies.
• Primary Education.

1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
2. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
3. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral/written presentation.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
5. Demonstrate mastery in depth of the theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
6. Display appropriate proficiency in research methodology.
7. Conduct independent research in a discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
8. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
9. Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge.
10. While demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
11. Write a research proposal.
12. Design a research project to answer educational questions.
13. Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in education.
14. Able to conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
15. Familiar with contemporary theoretical and practical issues in the field of educational studies.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner

• Formulate and develop adequate research problem;
• Familiarised with and integrate the relevant and specialised literature that informs the research question;
• Apply relevant theoretical approaches and key research techniques at an advanced level;
• Systematic and sustained discussion and argumentation and integration of findings;
• Ability to address the normative issues that might attend the study;
• Appreciate the methodological of the study;
• Use the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is by means of a supervised dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words.

The University has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The academic staff of the University uses this in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University.