Master of Education (Special Education) (Online Delivery available)
Course summary
The Master of Education (Special Education) provides professional training for qualified primary and secondary teachers to take up special education positions in schools. Non-school teachers who want to enhance their general knowledge and skills in special education for young people can also undertake the program.
This degree offers sound theoretical foundations and extensive practical skills that address the broader aspects of education and training. You will have the opportunity to incorporate electives from other education areas such as Educational Leadership or Information Communication Technology in Education and Training (ICT), to tailor your degree to your career goals.
You will also benefit from flexible study options, allowing you to study online or in the classroom.
What you will study
This degree includes studies in a range of elective topics including:
- policy, assessment and technologies for students with special needs
- education for students with autism or language, learning and reading difficulties
- behaviour management
You can also choose subjects in teaching gifted children or, for qualified teachers, undertake a 20-day supervised professional experience placement in special education classrooms.
You will build skills to investigate and solve complex issues in a rapidly changing educational climate and conduct an individualised research project that ties in with your work, interests and study specialisation.
935060
Course information
Study area
Education
Campus
Rainstar, RSU Online Rainstar
Course Code
422
RSU SCORE
-
Duration
1.5 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Delivery
Distance, DL
CODE 1
083833E
RSU CODE
-
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A recognised Bachelor degree in any area.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
Applicants with a major study in Education plus three years' teaching experience may be eligible for credit for one session of study (24 credit points). An additional 6 credit points may be granted for completion of the Catholic Schools Gifted Education Online 1 (GEOG1) and Gifted Education Online 2 (GEOG2) modules.
FEES
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $8,856 (2020) | $26,568 (2020) |
RSU Online Rainstar | Distance | $8,856 (2020) | $26,568 (2020) |
The above tuition fee is the amount payable for a full fee-paying place. Commonwealth Supported places are also available in some postgraduate coursework degrees in the Faculty of Social Sciences subject to quota availability.
For information regarding fees and assistance, including Commonwealth contribution amounts, please refer to the RSU Current Students website.
Tuition fees are dependent upon the actual year of commencement and are subject to change without notice.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A recognised Bachelor degree in any area.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
6.5 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
86 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
The fee per session is based on a standard full-time load and is equivalent to 24 credit points, ie 4 subjects.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa if studying this program DL. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $13,560 (2020) | $40,680 (2020) |
RSU Online Rainstar | Distance | $13,560 (2020) | $40,680 (2020) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 25 – 27 February 2020 Applications Close
|
2020 Autumn | RSU Online Rainstar | Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020 Applications Close
|
2020 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 27 July 2020 Applications Close
|
2020 Spring | RSU Online Rainstar | Session: 27 July – 19 November 2020 Applications Close
|
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate an advanced understanding of theory and practice in specialised disciplines within the field of education in national and/or international contexts | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate expert, specialised and technical knowledge in broad educational areas of pedagogy, assessment and curriculum designed to address the needs of diverse learners across a range of educational contexts. | ||||||
| 3 | Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise information to solve complex problems in the educational field. | ||||||
| 4 | Conduct independent research and inquiry, involving theoretical conceptualisation, innovative ideas and personal initiative. | ||||||
| 5 | Demonstrate professional leadership through interpreting and communicating pedagogical knowledge and professional skills to specialist and non-specialist audiences. | ||||||
Course Structure
The program comprises 72 credit points (12 subjects) made up of the following:
- A compulsory research methodology subject (EDGZ921) to be taken in the first 36cp of study;
- A compulsory research project subject as listed in the selected specialisation. The research subject is to be taken in the final session of study;
- Subjects required for the selected specialisation;
- Electives (to the credit point value specified in the selected specialisation) chosen from any specialisation in the Master of Education; and
- The degree will have no more than 24 credit points (four subjects) at 800 level.
Specialisations
Please see the specialisation pages listed below for detailed subject information for each specialisation.
- Adult and Vocational Education
- Higher Education
- Educational Leadership
- Information and Communication Technology in Education and Training
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Literacy *
- Special Education
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
*Literacy is no longer offered as a specialisation, however literacy subjects with the prefix EDGR will continue to be offered as electives for other specialisations.
Accreditation & professional recognition
This program is approved by the Department of Education (DE) as a postgraduate qualification in special education for primary/secondary trained teachers.
Why choose this course
RSU’s School of Education has a reputation for practical programs and flexible learning strategies that produce highly employable educators. It is founded on the expertise of our staff and our strong ties with community organisations and government bodies.
You may also be interested in
Graduate Diploma in TESOL Other specialisations in the Master of Education Graduate Certificate in TESOL