9. Postgraduate information
The Faculty of Education and Social Work offers a range of postgraduate research and coursework degrees, diplomas and certificates. Detailed information on these programs may be found in the postgraduate handbook available from the Faculty Office or the Faculty website.
Research programs
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD degree is awarded for a program of original research carried
out under the guidance of a supervisor with expertise in the candidate's area of interest. The research is embodied in a thesis of 80,000 words. While the degree is completed by research some units of study may be completed if appropriate.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
The Doctor of Education degree combines research and coursework.
The latter involves research training components with group supervision, as well as individual supervision. It is a professionally oriented research program culminating in the production of a thesis
of 50,000 words.
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
The course will enable experienced practitioners in social work to:
- develop excellence in practice research and practice development
- review and develop theoretical approaches to the changing context of welfare
- articulate new forms of practice appropriate for the new century; and
- be qualified to take on leadership roles in the profession and in human services.
Students must successfully complete required coursework and a thesis of 50,000 words.
Master of Philosophy in Education (MPhilEd)
The Master of Philosophy in Education degree consists of a supervised research component and required coursework. It is designed for students interested in pursing research but not eligible to undertake a PhD. It requires completion of original research under supervision, and a thesis of upper limit of 30,000 words. Supportive coursework in both content and research methodology need also be completed.
Master of Philosophy in Social Work (MPhilSW)
Students are encouraged to pursue their own interests in the selection of research topics, particularly so in relation to developing projects based on their professional practice. Research interests include specific population groups, theories of social work practice,
comparative studies of welfare policy and practice in a range of
socio-cultural settings, including Europe and Asia; the history and
theory of the welfare state, a range of social issues, and social policy areas. Students must successfully complete required coursework and a thesis of upper limit of 30,000 words.
Master of Education (Research)
The aim of the MEd (Research) is to provide students with an
advanced level of research training experience in the area of Education that will make a contribution to knowledge in their particular area or specialisation. The MEd (Research) is designed for students who wish to extend their studies primarily by research but who do not have an undergraduate honours degree or other qualification that would allow them to enter into a postgraduate research degree. The MEd (Research) will allow students to develop and demonstrate their research capacity within the master's degree through thesis only (25,000 words) or through a thesis (20,000 words) combined with coursework.
For more information contact:
Venice Jureidini-Briozzo
Room 307 Education Building
Phone: +61 2 9351 7048
Fax: +61 2 9351 5027
Email: v.jureidini@edfac.usyd.edu.au
Coursework programs
Master of Education (MEd)
The Master of Education is primarily a degree by coursework.
Candidates may either complete a designated degree in one of a
range of areas offered, or complete a generic MEd by selecting units
from across the designated areas. Designated master's programs are
offered which take a particular focus on a specialised area of study.
These include:
- Coach Education (restricted entry criteria)
- Educational Psychology
- English and Literacies in Education
- Educational Management and Leadership
- Higher Education (restricted entry criteria)
- International Education
- Research Methodology
- Special Education
- TESOL/Languages
- Teaching and Curriculum Studies
Master of Learning Science and Technology
This is an innovative degree program that caters to current and
prospective e-learning professionals, as well as students who seek
to forge a research career in ICT-supported learning. As such, this
program is available in two streams. Professional Stream is intended to meet the needs of future e-learning professionals and those already working in the industry, government and education who are seeking to advance their careers in the field of e-learning/technology-supported learning. The Research Stream is intended for those who wish to do research in ICT-supported learning and are likely to progress to a PhD in the field.
Master of Policy Studies (MPS)
The course aims to equip students with conceptual skills required for
practical policy analysis and policy development in educational and
social and community services domains. The course will have a strong focus on policy practice for policy professionals and service workers in non-government human services organisations. The degree will be delivered on-campus, though some electives may use other methods of delivery.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The course is designed to allow social work practitioners to reflect on and formulate their practice; read about and appraise alternative
practices and theories; and assess their work problems and clients'
needs in new ways. The aim is to evaluate existing practice and
provision critically, with a view to promoting change and improvement in services offered and outcomes effected in the lives and situations of clients. It offers opportunities for the analysis and investigation of theories and initiatives in social policy and their impact.
Master of Social Work International (MSW International)
This program would be of particular interest to social workers who
want to extend their knowledge of social work and social policy in a
comparative international context. Students spend one semester
full-time in a university linked to the University of Sydney where a
strong university/field collaboration has been established.
Graduate Diploma and Certificate in Learning Science and Technology
These programs are designed to meet the demands of current
e-Learning professionals, to supplement and support their work in
learning and/or development, be it within corporate training, tertiary
education, or other sectors. It provides a foundation in the key theories and practical methodologies that can support the design of effective technology-supported learning. The Graduate Certificate can be articulated with the Graduate Diploma and the Master of Learning Science and Technology.
Graduate Diplomas and Certificates in Educational Studies and Social Work
Graduate Diplomas and Certificates are available in all the designated areas for the MEd, MSW, and the MPS. Some of these articulate with the master's programs and credit may be granted for units completed towards award of the master's programs.
The Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
This Graduate Certificate has been especially designed to meet the
needs and interests of candidates whose area of expertise is in
teaching English as a foreign language. The Graduate Certificate
TEFL program is intended for overseas teachers of English who wish
to take a short intensive professional development course. After
successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, it may be possible
to complete a Master of Education (TESOL).
For more information on these programs contact the Administrative Advisers in the Division of Graduate Studies:
Maryke Sutton, Gilbert Cheng
Room 307 Education Building
Phone: +61 2 9351 4605; +61 2 9351 4054
Fax: +61 2 9351 5027
Email: gradinfo@edfac.usyd.edu.au
Master of Teaching/Bachelor of Teaching
Students who have completed a first degree in, say, Arts, Economics
or Science, and wish to undertake teacher training in either Primary,
Secondary school or School Counselling, may apply for admission to
the Master of Teaching degree. This is a highly innovative program
preparing professional educators through the use of self-directed
learning and case based study. The course provides training in the
practice of teaching in your chosen disciplines and includes a large
component of practical classroom experience. The final semester of
this two year program is taken up with an internship in a school. An
Honours program is available. Please refer to the MTeach website at: mteach.edfac.usyd.edu.au.
For more information about this course contact:
Sylvia Panossian
Education Building
Phone: +61 2 9036 5344
Fax: +61 2 9351 4235
Email: s.panossian@edfac.usyd.edu.au