Education Practice MA/PG Dip/PG Cert (DMU)

Reasons to study Education Practice at DMU:

  • Enhance your employability with placements and voluntary opportunities in local educational settings
  • Reflect upon the latest trends and developments in the field and consider how these apply to your own place of work
  • Course content fits with the latest demands of the Department for Education and National College in helping to prepare and build on the demands of National Professional Qualification for Headship and Middle Leadership
  • Our practice- and research-based academic team is recognised for excellence in teaching, curriculum design and innovation
  • Benefit from our strong partnerships with universities, schools, professional organisations such as the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) , education charities and government agencies worldwide

The course has opened up my mind to new theories and pedagogical practices. In comparison to other MAs in education, this course offered more choice. It allowed me to make the MA my own, furthering my knowledge in areas that interested me and, most importantly, applied to my vocation as a teacher –  Leanne Holmes, graduate

Scholarships:
At DMU, we are committed to helping our graduates enhance their careers and personal development through further study.

Course modules

  • Researching Education (30 credits) – Introduces research methodologies and their implications to in forma research proposal for the dissertation element
  • Major project/dissertation (60 credits) – In consultation with the course leader, you will be encouraged to undertake research in an area that speaks to your own interests/experience. Assessment may include a continuing professional development event with your employer.

You will select from the following 30 credit optional modules:

  • Assessment and the Curriculum – Examines the ways in which a content-led curriculum focuses classroom encounters upon assessment rather than learning. It also considers the ways in which you are tested and the effectiveness of this regime on you, the teacher and the school. Alternative approaches to the curriculum and assessment will be identified to enhance your learning
  • Current and Emergent Issues in Education Policy – Reflects upon the latest developments in education and examines the policy trends underpinning these. You will explore policy issues in the context of your own educational setting and develop an informed critique of how policy links with practice
  • Technology Enhanced Practice – Considers the pitfalls and potentials of new technologies (e-safety, interactive whiteboards, virtual learning environments, Twitter, social networking, etc) for schooling, learning and teaching. You will also explore how such technology can be used effectively and what future education spaces/ possibilities are opened up
  • Negotiated Study – Provides students with the opportunity to pursue topics that are of direct and immediate relevance to their professional context. You will conduct an independent and individually negotiated study in an area of personal interest to you and your role in education.
  • Leading and Managing Educational Change – Enables students to critically engage with research on educational leadership and the management of change, with a view to applying their theoretical understanding to their practice. You will also critically reflect on your own position and opportunities as a leader within your educational workplace

 

Teaching and assessment

The Education Practice course uses a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials and group work during evening teaching sessions. You will also be expected to undertake self-directed study.

If you study full-time, you will attend taught sessions for two evenings per week and complete the course in one academic year. If you study part-time, you will attend taught sessions for one evening per week and complete the course in two academic years.

 

Academic expertise

Our experienced practice and research-based course team are all qualified teachers and lecturers, and have been recognised for excellence in teaching, curriculum design and innovation.

Members of the team are currently involved in active research, which shapes and informs our teaching.

Areas of research include;

  • Academic practice
  • Arts education
  • Assessment
  • Change management
  • Communities of practice
  • Excellence and good practice
  • Inclusion and equality
  • Leadership
  • Learning, including online learning
  • Pedagogy
  • Philosophy of education
  • Psychology of education
  • Policy implementation
  • Professional development
  • Research methods
  • Technology