e-PgCert Professional and Higher Education

Program Overview

This online postgraduate certificate program equips professionals in higher education with skills in learning facilitation, assessment, curriculum design, and quality assurance. Delivered flexibly, it allows participants to advance their careers or pursue further studies while balancing other commitments. Graduates have gone on to enhance their teaching practices, pursue leadership roles, and contribute to educational program development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Professional and Higher Education (e-PgCert):

• Overview: This postgraduate certificate program is designed for professionals who teach and support learning at higher education level (SCQF Level 7 or higher).
It aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective facilitators and enhancers of learning experiences.
• Objectives:
• Develop participants' understanding and skills in learning facilitation, assessment and feedback, curriculum design, and quality assurance.
• Offer a flexible and dynamic online learning environment.
• Support participants in advancing their careers within their current role or towards future aspirations.
• Provide a pathway towards further studies (Postgraduate Diploma or Masters).
• Description: Delivered entirely online, this program allows participants to learn at their own pace and fit study around other commitments.
The curriculum delves into theories of education that support learning, allowing participants to reflect on and apply their learning to their own workplace practices. By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to design, assess, and facilitate learning in a variety of professional contexts.

Outline:

• Structure: The program consists of three individual modules, each worth 20 credits and equivalent to 200 hours of study.
Participants can choose to complete the full program (60 credits) or individual modules for CPD purposes.
• Module Information:
• Facilitating Learning:
This module explores dynamic approaches to facilitating learning through theoretical frameworks, creativity, and continuous development.
• Assessment for Learning: This module focuses on using contemporary learning theories to implement critical and dynamic practices of assessment, feedback, and feedforward for enhanced learning.
• Curriculum Design for Learning: This module introduces participants to the creative processes and complexities involved in curriculum design.
• Modules Run: The modules run consecutively, with two intakes per year: January and September.
• Induction Module: A non-credit online induction module is available to assist with return to study and explore supplementary learning resources.

Assessment:

• Emphasis: The program emphasizes building on and developing participants' personal experience within a community of learners.
• Assessments:
• Personal reflective critiques
• E-portfolios
• Presentations
• Essays
• Curriculum documents
• Literature reviews
• Placement: No formal placements are included; however, participants are expected to have access to learning facilitation/teaching opportunities in their area of practice to meet course and module outcomes.

Teaching:

• Delivery: The program is delivered entirely online through synchronous and asynchronous discussions, reading, collaborative case analysis, presentations, and research.
• Teaching Staff: Experienced professionals with expertise in educational theory and practice.
Please note, teaching staff is subject to change.
• Class Sizes: Typically between 20-40 participants.

Careers:

• Graduates have gone on to:
• Develop their educational practice within their current role
• Teach in higher education
• Work in practice development and continuing professional development
• Develop education programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels (international students)
• Gain promotions or additional responsibilities
• Pursue further studies through doctoral research programs

Other:

• Admission Requirements: Normally a UK honours degree or equivalent.
Alternative qualifications and relevant professional experience may be considered. Participants must have an existing teaching or learning facilitation role at undergraduate or higher education level (SCQF Level 7 or higher).
• International Students: Required to provide evidence of English language competence (IELTS 7.0, no individual component score below 6.5).
• Disability/Health Conditions: Support is available for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or learning disabilities.
• Contact: Admissions or Anna Buckby (Programme Leader) for more information.
• Follow: @QMUPHE on Twitter
• Open Events: Visit the website for information on upcoming events to learn more about postgraduate programs at QMU.