| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This specialisation focuses on the skills and knowledge that Academic and Professional staff require to effectively lead the process of developing, implementing, managing and evaluating innovative, evidence-based approaches to learning and teaching and organisational development in Higher Education contexts.
You will be exposed to the most recent developments in the scholarship and research in Higher Education, and the tasks you complete will enable you to apply this to your own institutional context. The capstone unit draws together the various threads of the work undertaken over the course of your degree and the research unit allows you to conduct a piece of research or scholarship on learning and teaching or organisational development that is relevant to your institution.
The critical thinking, knowledge management and communicative capacities you will develop can serve not only to enhance your contribution to the agility of your institution, they enable you to expand the capacities of your professional community, and form the basis of your own lifelong learning. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. convey a coherent, integrated understanding of the regulatory, cultural, political and economic structures and imperatives that shape higher education (K)
2. appraise the applicability of a range of theories and principles underpinning academic and professional learning in higher education contexts (T, J)
3. apply principles and practices of quality enhancement to lead continual renewal and innovation in curricula, teaching, learning and /or organisational practices, in higher education (K, T, P, E, J)
4. reflect on and critically evaluate the scholarship of learning and teaching from multiple perspectives (K, T, E, J)
5. analyse and apply research on educational theory, policy and practice to the identification and resolution of a range of teaching, learning and /or organisational issues in higher education (K, T, P, E, J)
6. apply critical thinking to solve problems and generate new ideas and solutions (K, T, P, E, J)
7. conduct research into higher education in order to address policy and/or practical problems (K, T, P, E, J)
8. lead and leverage opportunities presented by contemporary society and emerging technologies to advance scholarship, professional practice, engagement and outcomes in higher education (K, T, P, E, J)
9. work both collaboratively and independently to analyse educational contexts and resolve issues relating to learning, teaching and/or organisational practice (K, T, P, C, E, J)
10. communicate, share and advance knowledge and understanding across different disciplines and cultures (K, P, C, E). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
You will be encouraged in this program to acquire relevant skills, knowledge and understanding through a range of independent and collaborative activities. You will read widely from documents including scholarly literature, reports and government policy documents, and you will be expected to draw upon your own professional experiences and reflect upon these in the context of relevant theories and scholarship. Based on the theoretical study and your understandings from the literature, as well as your experiences and your particular educational situation, you will participate in discussions (real and/or virtual) where you will be able to challenge and learn from the ideas and views of others.
All students are expected to be active participants in a range of online activities, which may include participating in or leading group discussions; peer review of the work of other students; and presentations to your fellow students. Online activities use a variety of stimuli and approaches that take advantage of the online medium. |
| Assessment |
Assessment is made on the submission of individual coursework and may include components which reflect your participation in online work. Many assessment tasks will encourage you to relate your new learning to your own particular educational and working context.
Clear standards and criteria for coursework, what is assessed, and how it is assessed, are included in each unit guide. The coursework is designed to develop and assess your ability to appraise and apply theory, policy and practice to higher education contexts.
The program incorporates formative and summative feedback. Both forms of feedback are extremely important and provide you with information and guidance on your development and progress. Feedback may be provided in written form or in discussion with peers and teachers. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
The Higher Education specialisation of the Masters of Education caters to local and international students who work, or plan to work, as Professional or Academic staff at universities and other higher education providers. This specialisation enhances their capability to lead and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative, evidence-based programs focusing on organisational development, leadership, learning and teaching, and the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies, in higher education. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
