Graduate Certificate in Educational Research

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Research is a course designed to help prepare individuals for a higher research degree.

The course enables you to understand educational research methodology and to design an educational research project in preparation for a PhD.

Course structure

The program consists of two compulsory subjects: a Research Methodology subject and a Research Design subject.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a four-year degree in a cognate area, or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in any discipline and at least 50 credit points, or equivalent, of graduate study in a cognate area.

AND

• a weighted average mark of at least H2A (75%), or equivalent.

Meeting this entry requirements does not guarantee selection.

1. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance.

1. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

1. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Melbourne Graduate School of Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Graduate School policy to take reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Graduate School’s programs. The core participation requirements for study in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education are:

In all courses

1. The ability to comprehend complex information related to education and the disciplines in which the student is teaching. 2. The ability to communicate clearly and independently in assessment tasks a knowledge of the content, principles and practices relating to education and other relevant disciplines. 3. Behavioural and social attributes that enable a student to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel a disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Disability Liaison.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Critically appraise educational research with an understanding of the methodologies underlying the particular study;
• Identify an issue in education as an investigable research project;
• Understand the range of research methodologies available, and their appropriateness to particular projects;
• Design a significant research project in education;
• Communicate and defend the research proposal to an audience in an appropriate way.