Master of Specialist Inclusive Education

Program Overview

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The Master of Specialist Inclusive Education equips teachers with advanced knowledge and skills to ensure accessibility, participation, and success for students with diverse educational needs. It explores social justice policy, inclusive practices, and the development of personalized educational programs. The program offers a range of research options and practical experience to prepare teachers for leadership roles in inclusive education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Specialist Inclusive Education equips qualified primary or secondary teachers with advanced knowledge of contemporary education issues and inclusive education practices within school systems.

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Objectives:

• To provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to ensure the accessibility, participation, and success for students with diverse educational needs.
• To explore the implementation of social justice policy and address topics of gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity, disability, and the intersections between them.
• To enable teachers to provide high-quality, inclusive education to students with disabilities and/or additional learning needs.
• To equip teachers with advanced level, specialist skills that enable them to mentor other teachers and professionals in developing personalized, inclusive educational programs.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Contemporary education issues
• Inclusive education practices
• Social justice policy
• Gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity, disability
• High-quality, inclusive education for students with disabilities and/or additional learning needs
• Development of personalized, inclusive educational programs

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Program Structure:

• 12 credit points
• 3 credit points of compulsory core units
• 2 credit points of professional experience units
• 7 credit points of research and course elective units

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Course Schedule:

• Trimester 1: March
• Trimester 2: July
• Trimester 3: November

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Individual Modules:

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Core Units:

• Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom
• Social Justice and Difference
• Effective Classroom Management: Positive Learning Environments

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Professional Experience Units:

• Advanced Inclusive Practice
• Practicum: Specialist Inclusive Education

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Research Options:

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Option 1:

• 2 credit points of research units (EDX701 and EDX707)
• 5 credit points of course electives

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Option 2:

• 4 credit points of research units including a 2 credit point research paper (EDX701, EDX712, EDX703, EDX704)
• 3 credit points of course electives

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Option 3:

• 6 credit points of research units which include a minor thesis (EDX701, EDX712, EDX705, and EDX706)
• 1 credit point of Course Elective from List A

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Course Electives List A:

• Education and Development of Exceptional Learners
• Creativity and the Arts
• Child Protection
• Supporting Communication in Inclusive Classrooms
• Educational Context, Policy, and Leadership in Challenging Times
• Leading and Managing Innovation, Change, and Improvement
• Decolonising Teaching and Learning: Recognition, Relationships, and Reconciliation On Unceded Land

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Practical assessments
• Research projects

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Assessment Criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of inclusive education principles and practices
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Research and analytical skills
• Professionalism and ethical conduct

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Fieldwork
• Online learning

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Faculty:

• Staff with experience in the sector that are recognized as leaders and innovators in their fields

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Unique Approaches:

• Strong links with the education sector, including the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) and Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
• Close collaboration with international universities, including the University of Sheffield (UK) and Aarhus University (Denmark)
• A focus on practical application and real-world experience
• A commitment to social justice and equity

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Specialist teacher in special education schools
• Specialist teacher in mainstream schools
• Inclusion coordinator
• Educational consultant
• Policymaker
• Researcher

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Opportunities:

• Advance in leadership positions
• Pursue higher degree research
• Contribute to the development of inclusive education policy and practice