Are you considering studying a master of Education (Science of learning) but aren’t sure what you will learn in the course? You aren’t alone! We are frequently asked about the content of these courses and what you can expect to learn. Today, we are here to banish any confusion and provide you with the answers you need to help you decide if this postgraduate course is the one for you!
What is a master of education (science of learning)?
A master of education (science of learning) is a postgraduate course designed for teaching professionals. The course will help develop your understanding and knowledge of cognitive science approaches to learning. This understanding will help to transform your instructional practices, while developing analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills to improve student engagement and learning, and enhancing your teaching effectiveness.
The science of learning specialisation is ideal for any teacher who wants to understand more about how students learn, the challenges they might face, and how as educators, you can prepare to help them overcome these challenges. The course is offered full-time and part-time, with the choice to study flexibly online too. Typically, it takes 16 months to complete, and many course providers will have an intake every two months, so you don’t need to wait to start your course and enhance your teaching experience.
What will I learn on a master of Education (Science of learning)?
What you will learn on a master of Education (science of learning) will vary depending on the course you choose. We recommend checking directly with the course provider or in their brochure to learn more about the units covered to ensure the course aligns with your career goals. Typically, the course will have the following learning outcomes:
- Explicit and direct instruction – to critically engage with contemporary models of high-impact instruction and theoretical assumptions. Video analysis is used to deconstruct examples of unscripted explicit instruction and scripted direct instruction
- Science of learning theories – to critically examine your beliefs on how children learn and the effectiveness of teaching practices. You will look at how these practices relate to cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, and contemporary education research on human cognitive architecture
- Science of mathematics instruction – unlock myths about teaching mathematics from a cognitive load theory perspective
- Science of reading instruction – use historical and contemporary approaches to reading to understand how the brain processes reading, including phonics, fluency, phonological awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension
A master of education is broken down into eight units, which must be completed to pass the course. For a science of learning specialisation, the units are split in half, with four being core units needed for a master of Education, and four focusing on your specialisation. The units can vary depending on the course provider, but typically, there will be overlapping content to ensure you are getting the information that you need. You can expect to see the following unit titles in your course brochure:
Core units
- Advanced seminar
- Assessment in education: policies, pedagogy, and equity
- Inquiry based practice
- Leading education in a global context
Specialisation units
- Explicit and direct instruction
- Introduction to science of learning
- Science of maths instruction
- Science of reading instruction
What do I need for a master of Education (Science of learning)?
The entry requirements for a master of Education (Science of learning) can vary depending on your course provider. Usually, you will need to have one of the following for the course:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Equivalent prior learning with at least five years of relevant experience
What counts as relevant experience can depend on the course provider, and we recommend speaking to them directly to determine whether your experience counts or not. When studying a master of Education, many will ask for a bachelor’s degree in any field, while others might want you to already have a teaching or education background. At the very least, many will require you to have an initial teacher education qualification, which is essential to teach in Australia. Again, it is best to speak to the course provider or their admissions office beforehand.
If English is not your first language, you might also need to meet English language requirements. These requirements can vary from course to course, but you will either need to have passed the IELTS or have a Bachelor degree from a country specified in your course provider’s Admission Policy. We recommend speaking directly with your course provider to determine whether you need to meet these additional requirements and what they are.
Find your master’s of Education course today
A master of education (science of learning) is the perfect course for any teachers who want to improve on their skills and help deliver enhanced mathematics and reading classes. When choosing your science of learning course, we recommend ECU, who offers a comprehensive course with online access and all the resources you need to succeed. Start your science of learning course today and see the difference it will make for your students!
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