Undergraduate and Preservice Programs
The School of Education offers undergraduate programs in Teacher Education, Youth Studies, Computer Mediated Art and Early Childhood Education. All undergraduate courses in the School of Education provide students with flexible career outcomes. The courses emphasise the importance of practice by locating students within educational partnerships with local schools, community organisations and industry in Melbourne's Western Region.
The Bachelor of Education is a four-year course whose graduates will be qualified to teach in Primary schools, and if they complete appropriate General Studies, in Secondary schools. Students with complete or incomplete higher education qualifications will be able to enter the course through the designated articulation pathways. ( FAQ for the Bachelor of Education).
The Bachelor of Arts (Early childhood) enables Diploma qualified childcare workers to articulate to a Bachelor of Arts Early childhood Education)
The Bachelor of Arts - Youth Studies is a three year, 7 semester degree program. The first four semesters are undertaken within VU TAFE. Students undertake the Diploma of Youth Work as an integral part of the Bachelor of Arts Youth Studies. TAFE fees apply for the first four semesters of the program - View The Course Coordinators Welcom Message.
The drawing together of Youth Studies and Education in the one School is evidence of the University's commitment to working in partnership with schools and community organisations in the Western Region of Melbourne.
The Bachelor of Arts -- Early Childhood Education also articulates from TAFE qualification.
The Bachelor of Arts - Computer Mediated Art offers students studies in Computer Mediated Art and Analogue Art.
The Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (GDSE or Dip Ed) is a one year full time teacher education program for graduates with a degree who wish to become secondary school teachers. This program enables graduates to qualify as teachers of English, Science, Computing, Mathematics, Physical Education, Studies of Society and Environment, Student Welfare, Music, Technology Studies, Vocational Education and Training, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and/ or Languages Other Than English (LOTE). ( FAQ for the Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education).
To apply for a course, simply refer to the courses link (http://www.vu.edu.au/Faculties/Arts_Education_and_Human_Development/Courses/) or visit Admissions (http://www.vu.edu.au/Admissions/)
Post-graduate Program
The program of post-graduate courses in the School of Education is designed for professionals from a variety of roles in different settings who respond to the educational opportunities and challenges in education, community, government and industry. They include:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Doctor of Education
- Master of Education (by Research)
- Master of Education (Specialisation)
- A program of courses in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Literacy
- The Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (see above)
These courses are HECS funded, except for the Doctor of Education. Additional places are available in all courses for full-fee paying students.
International students
International students are welcome to study with us and help to establish a vibrant and diverse community of inquirers into educational and learning issues of importance around the world.
The School of Education and Victoria University provides a range of services to assist the International Student with their study in Australia. These include social activities and research seminars that enable students to meet and work with other students, along with academic support with adjusting to the requirements of studying at Victoria University.
Off-shore program
The TESOL program and Doctor of Education program are also conducted off-shore, in Vietnam and Thailand respectively.
Post-graduate courses
Doctor of Philosophy
The school provides opportunities for students to undertake this research degree in a broad range of areas concerning education and working with young people in community contexts. Supervisors in the school are conducting research and supervising students in a broad range of topics and are willing to talk with potential students about their research interests.
Doctor of Education
This course attracts students from a diverse range of professional roles in education and training settings. The course aims to provide experienced professionals with opportunities to:
- extend their understandings about research and theory, as it relates to practice, to expert levels of scholarship; and enhance their performance in roles in education and training to standards expected of leaders in their field.
The course involves four units of study and a thesis or two research projects. The units of study focus on theories, policies and programming influence education and work place learning. The qualification is a research degree. Students normally research topics related to their professional practice and often undertake these inquiries within their own workplace. Academics in the school have supervised research in a broad range of topics concerning various roles and settings of education and training.
The schedule of face-to-face sessions for the units of study is negotiated with students. The sessions incorporate lectures, seminars and tutorials and facilitate the development of learning sets for peer support and review.
Master of Education (by Research)
The school provides opportunities for students to undertake this research degree in a broad range of areas concerning education. Supervisors in the school are conducting research and supervising students in a broad range of topics and are willing to talk with potential students about their research interests.
Master of Arts (by Research)
The school provides opportunities for students to undertake this research degree in areas concerning working with young people in community contexts and the Fine Arts, especially computer mediated art. Supervisors in the schools are conducting research and supervising students in a range of topics and are willing to talk with potential students about their research interests.
Master of Education (Specialisation)
This course is new (commencing in 2006) and builds on the previous post-graduate courses offered in the School by providing more options for students.
The course enables students to engage in professional learning through practitioner research informed by contemporary theories of learning, leadership and personal, workplace and social change. The course includes the following themes and students will be able to specialise in one that is relevant to their professional needs:
- Experiential learning
- Work based learning
- Educational leadership and change in learning organisations
- Tertiary education
- Professional development
- Digital technologies and education.
The structure of this course provides for multiple entry and exit points. Students may exit upon completion of requirements for Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas in their area of specialisation.
The course provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills further. Students have the option of completing a minor thesis or a research project to complete the Masters. However this is not a requirement as the course also provides students the option of undertaking units of study to complete the Masters qualification instead.
The course is inquiry based and each unit of study aims to utilise the current and prior experience of students to extend their knowledge of educational practice and enhance their ability to impact on learning processes. The units of study incorporate classroom activities, workshops, inquiry activities, on-line research and discussion, peer discourse and workplace processes as the basis for sharing information and experiences. The units of study are delivered using a variety of schedules for face-to-face sessions and online interactions. Assessment for each subject will be negotiated with the learner and will be inquiry based using issues and problems from student's prior, current and potential professional practices and organisational contexts to frame the assessment of specific learning outcomes.
TESOL and Literacy Program
The program aims to provide a comprehensive overview of issues in teaching literacy and/or teaching English to speakers of other languages. Participants in the program will develop skills and knowledge to enable them to be designers of programs and teachers in a range of educational contexts.
The courses within the program include:
- Graduate Certificate in TESOL
- Graduate Certificate in TESOL and Literacy
- Graduate Diploma in TESOL
- Graduate Diploma in TESOL and Literacy
- Master of TESOL
- Master of TESOL and Literacy
The subject, Professional Practice is a requirement for students wishing to seek registration as a teacher of TESOL.
The units of study are delivered in face-to-face sessions through workshops, lectures and tutorials.
The Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education (GDSE or Dip Ed) is a one year full time teacher education program for graduates with a degree who wish to become secondary school teachers. This program enables graduates to qualify as teachers of English, Science, Computing, Mathematics, Physical Education, Studies of Society and Environment, Student Welfare, Music, Technology Studies, Vocational Education and Training, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and/ or Languages Other Than English (LOTE).
The Career Program is taught in Partnerships with VU TAFE. This is a program funded by the Department of Education and Training designed to attract qualified professionals with work experience to teach in areas which are in short supply.
Research Degrees
Staff in the School of Education are well prepared to support research and supervision towards the achievement of
- Master of Education (Research)
- Doctor of Education
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The School has a sound record of successful completions in research degrees
The key focus of research in the School is developed around the broad theme of Learners, Communities and Social Action with a very strong emphasis on practitioner research including practitioner action research and collaborative practitioner research methodologies. Specifically colleagues are loosely organised in collaborative teams which have been successful in grants and publications around the following themes:
- social change, social capital, social justice, youth and community;
- social ecology, practitioner research, professional learning, collaborative research, action research, partnerships;
- pedagogy and practice.
There are several other interest groups and personal interests for example in, wilderness adventure therapy and at risk students, adult literacy, early childhood learning. The specific interests of staff can be explored through individual staff links.
A range of scholarships and other support is available for research students and students are able to study at Sunbury, Melton or Footscray Park campuses.
