School of Education

The Master of Education programme is designed for education professionals and others working in the fields of education, training and development: teachers, trainers, lecturers, administrators and managers, across all educational phases and levels, and institutions. The programme focuses on research experience and training, and integrates issues of professional development as well. We aim to provide programmes that are grounded in the research activity of members of the School; recognise and build on the prior knowledge and experiences of students; develop professionally relevant knowledge, skills and understanding; and enable the acquisition of further qualifications that enhance career prospects. In most cases, the programme is offered on a part-time basis, combining attendance in the afternoons, during school holidays, and weekends, allowing for a flexible pattern of study across both of its campuses (Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg). Teaching and learning in the programme follows a hybrid mode with classes conducted in face-to-face and/or online modes. The programme is offered in two modes (i) full dissertation and (ii) coursework and dissertation.

Students enrolled for the Master of Education should:

• Be able to deal with complex issues in education, both systematically and creatively through research processes;
• Develop a deeper understanding of the nature, purposes and processes of education, training and development;
• Develop an understanding of theoretical, conceptual, policy and practical issues impacting on education in general, and in their specialist areas in particular;  
• Demonstrate self-direction, sound judgement and originality in tackling complex issues in education and related areas;
• Develop an understanding of research issues; and
• Demonstrate an ability to do research in a specialist area.

A Master of Education degree by coursework and dissertation is a postgraduate degree that enables students to develop generic research skills and to specialise in specific areas of interest.  At present the School offers a number of specialisations on a part-time basis over a minimum of two years. The degree comprises 192 credits. Half of these credits (96) are earned through coursework and the other half are earned through completion of a research dissertation.

The coursework component of the Masters degree is conducted through a series of modules that combine core research training and your chosen specialisation. The modules are structured to provide intense debate and discussion, exposure to theory, current research interest and research methodologies through lectures, seminars and workshops.  

The dissertation component of the coursework Masters programme is done in the second year of registration and after a research proposal has been developed and approved by the School Higher Degrees Committee. Ethical clearance is also needed prior to the research being conducted. A supervisor (from within the chosen field of specialisation) for the dissertation is allocated to students in the second semester of the first year of study. The dissertation requires a substantive engagement on a chosen research focus within an approximately 30 000 word dissertation.