Explore Leadership, Inclusive Education and Social Ecology with UWS

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1 ENGAGE WITH INNOVATIVE AND FLEXIBLE STUDIES AS YOU BUILD YOUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE POSTGRADUATE STUDY Explore Leadership, Inclusive Education and Social Ecology with UWS The School of Education at UWS offers innovative, comprehensive and flexible opportunities to develop students understanding of key aspects of education. The School offers three distinct specialist strands for postgraduate students: Leadership, Social Ecology, and Inclusive Education. Our emphasis on project-based learning encourages students to explore areas of personal and professional interest, and develop skills and abilities in practice-led research. Teams of experienced academics work closely with students to assist them to tailor their program of study to suit their professional interests and needs. For those studying at Masters level, the research focus enables students to develop independent COURSES SUMMARY academic research skills and experience. In the final semester, students undertake an extended research project in their area of interest. This builds valuable expertise for those intending to undertake further research in professional or academic settings. These postgraduate programs have been designed to develop and nurture communities of learners. They are delivered in flexible parttime mode through a combination of campusbased and external study. Each semester begins with an on-campus intensive which includes a detailed introduction to the units of study as well as plenary sessions with guest scholars. Online support for student learning is provided throughout the semester via the vuws e-learning environment. A one-day, non-compulsory, on-campus session is also provided for learning support in mid-year. UAC CODE COURSE NAME STUDY MODE CAMPUS P Penrith Master of Inclusive Education 2-3P Penrith Master of Education (Social Ecology) 2-3P Penrith Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education 1P Penrith EDUCATION Be Inspired. postgraduatestudy@uws.edu.au

2 Greg O Neill If you have ambitions to be a leader in education Greg O Neill believes the Master of Education in Leadership at UWS is the key. I have found the Master of Education in Leadership to be a great course, he says. Its flexibility allowed me to explore a variety of topics and issues of interest to me, and pertinent to my professional practice. The is for those seeking to play a leading role in emerging educational practice within a range of social, environmental and educational contexts. The focus is on best practice and next practice, which refers to the need to imagine and implement developments in learning for future generations. Career opportunities Postgraduate education studies enable career development for leadership roles in early childhood, primary or secondary contexts within the public or private system, as well as adult and vocational education, and professional training and development. This program is not an initial teaching qualification but is designed for education professionals already working in the field. Recommended study sequence This degree is undertaken in part-time mode. A typical part-time study pattern involves one Master of Education core unit and one Education Leadership specialist unit per semester, though this can be varied. The course is introduced through a four-day (two days for each unit) intensive teaching session held in January and July each year, with additional mid-semester workshops for each unit. Pathways There are many options for course entry and exit in the Teaching and Education areas of study. The Graduate Certificate in Education (Leadership) is also available as an exit point after completion of four units of study and a Graduate Diploma can be awarded after six units of study. In particular, I have greatly benefited from researching transformative leadership, mentoring and blogging in education. Exploring these and other issues in depth with the encouragement and guidance of experienced lecturers at UWS has increased my confidence in the rigours of research but more importantly given me the opportunity to test some of these ideas in my role as a manager and leader in TAFE. I would recommend this course to anyone who is or would like to work in a leadership role in education. I believe that attaining this qualification was a contributing factor in my appointment to head teacher. STUDY SEQUENCE MASTER OF EDUCATION (LEADERSHIP) Course structure YEAR 1 1H Transformative Learning Learning and Teaching in Challenging Contexts YEAR 1 2H Leading Change Teaching and Learning with Adults YEAR 2 1H Designing Curriculum Futures Principles and Practices of Evaluation YEAR 2 2H Leadership, Mentoring and Professional Growth At the Cultural Interface: Learning Two Ways YEAR 3 1H Researching Practice Plus any one unit from: MEd (Social Ecology) or Master of Inclusive Education OR a specified research unit YEAR 3 2H Professional Project Education Policy, Practice and Global Knowledge Co-Construction Students who enter with relevant postgraduate qualifications are awarded advanced standing for four units, and eligible to complete the course over 2 years part-time. 2

3 Master of Inclusive Education The Master of Inclusive Education qualifies teachers to work with students with additional needs across early childhood, primary and secondary settings. It enables students to specialise in working in early childhood intervention, inclusive settings, supported settings or gifted education, and facilitates participants engagement with evidence-based practice. The Master of Inclusive Education includes an extensive practicum placement which, for students who are already employed as a teacher, may be undertaken in their current school or early childhood setting in most circumstances. Professional accreditation As a post-initial teaching degree, the Master of Inclusive Education is recognised by major employers like the NSW Department of Education and Communities, meeting the employment criteria for a special education qualification. Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education The Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education is for professionals interested in special education STUDY SEQUENCE MASTER OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION but who have no need or desire to work towards a professional qualification or Masters degree. The Graduate Certificate is of relevance to educators, therapists and other professionals working in the disability field. The courses are undertaken part-time through a four-day (two days for each unit) intensive teaching session held in January and July each year, with additional mid-semester workshops for each unit. Exciting partnerships The UWS School of Education has joined with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to build a joint facility on the Kingswood campus. This partnership provides additional opportunities for staff of both organisations and students to engage in research and teaching. Career opportunities An Inclusive Education degree opens the way for a career in early childhood intervention, inclusive settings, community disability services, as a support teacher/consultant in regular school settings or a teacher in a special school. Natalie Vella Master of Inclusive Education I hope to inspire young teachers to embrace the challenges and rewards of an inclusive classroom. As a teacher of adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders I am keen to ensure that my methods are current, creative and useful to others in the field. The Master of Inclusive Education course has affirmed my personal and professional values. I believe that exposure and education of teachers will equip and encourage them to appreciate diversity and recognise the importance of celebrating the comprehensive cohort. Course structure YEAR 1 1H Inclusive Environments Managing Challenging and Diverse Behaviour YEAR 1 2H Technology Assisting Learning Disability in Context YEAR 2 1H Person-centred Practice Universal Design for Learning YEAR 2 2H Effective Working Relationships Assessing to Support Learning YEAR 3 1H Researching Practice Learning and Teaching in Challenging Contexts YEAR 3 2H Professional Experience (Additional Needs) Professional Project Students who enter with relevant postgraduate qualifications are awarded advanced standing for four units, and eligible to complete the course over 2 years part-time. GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of four units from the list below (dependent upon unit availability). Inclusive Environments Effective Working Relationships Disability in Context Assessing to Support Learning Person-centred Practice Managing Challenging and Diverse Behaviour Technology Assisting Learning Universal Design for Learning Learning and Teaching in Challenging Contexts 3

4 Kathryn McCabe Facilitator and National Program Coordinator, OzGreen Social Ecology graduate Kathryn McCabe wanted to learn how to make change in the world in a profound and meaningful way. That s why she chose to study Social Ecology at the University of Western Sydney. Social Ecology has been life changing for me, and for most of the people who study it. It is like nothing else being taught anywhere, she says. Master of Education (Social Ecology) The Master of Education (Social Ecology) at UWS explores the dynamic inter-relationships between the personal, social, environmental and spiritual domains. Key themes of study in Social Ecology include applied imagination, eco-psychology and cultural change, environmental education and advocacy, eco-literacy, systems-thinking and the emergent characteristics of change, transformative learning, transformative leadership and associated research practices. The Social Ecology program is designed for those educators seeking to both imagine and enact pathways towards more sustainable and equitable ways of living for ourselves and future generations. Studies in Social Ecology equip students for career development in environmental, organisational and educational sectors including environmental education, outdoor education, facilitation and adult education, human services, professional training and development. The course is introduced through a four-day (two days for each unit) intensive teaching session held in January and July each year, with additional mid-semester workshops for each unit. This program can only be undertaken in part-time mode. A typical part-time study pattern involves two units per semester over four to six semesters (depending upon entry qualifications). The Graduate Certificate in Education (Social Ecology) is also available as an exit point to students enrolled in the Master of Education (Social Ecology) after completion of four Social Ecology units. Successful completion of six units is required for the Graduate Diploma to be awarded. The lessons I have learnt have changed me in ways I never expected; my life is much more fulfilled! I feel like I have found people who believe, like me, that the world can be a better place for all, people who are actively changing it every day in so many different ways. I have really enjoyed finding out that study can be fun and creative, and that I can apply my own passions and ideas to anything. I guess that s the best part about Social Ecology, you are so free to apply it to any area of interest, and it really helped me find my path in life. You develop a set of skills that you can apply to anything, so your career path really expands. STUDY SEQUENCE MASTER OF EDUCATION (SOCIAL ECOLOGY) Course structure YEAR 1 1H Social Ecology Transformative Learning YEAR 1 2H Leading Change Engaging Communities YEAR 2 1H Eco-pedagogies YEAR 2 2H Eco-psychology & Cultural Change YEAR 3 1H And any one unit from: MEd (Leadership) or Master of Inclusive Education OR a specified research unit At the Cultural Interface: Learning Two Ways OR one of the above plus a specified research unit Applied Imagination OR a specified research unit Researching Practice YEAR 3 2H Professional Project Plus any one unit from: MEd (Leadership) or Master of Inclusive Education OR a specified research unit Students who enter with relevant postgraduate qualifications are awarded advanced standing for four units, and eligible to complete the course over 2 years part-time. 4

5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in education or related discipline. Professional experience in education is an advantage as assessments within the course require you to reflect on your practice and design projects to undertake within your workplace. Master of Inclusive Education This course provides a post-initial teaching qualification. Therefore, applicants must have successfully completed a recognised three or four-year teaching qualification. Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education Studies Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in education or a related discipline. Master of Education (Social Ecology) Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline. Advanced Standing Students who enter a Masters course with a postgraduate qualification are awarded advanced standing for four units and may complete the Masters course in two years part-time. Research Pathways Opportunities to expand study options through entry or transition into a research higher degree program (e.g., Masters by Research, EdD or PhD) are also available. How to apply Postgraduate course applications are processed online through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) at uac.edu.au/postgraduate Further information on postgraduate courses and the application procedure is available at myfuture.uws.edu.au 5

6 2015 POSTGRADUATE STUDY Further information Contact the Course Information Centre on or The University of Western Sydney reserves the right at all times to withdraw or vary courses listed within this publication. In the event that the course is to be changed, or in the event that the course is to be withdrawn, applicants will be advised by mail to the address specified by them on their application. CRICOS provider code: 00917K STR /2014