.: SEGi University College | Education & Social Sciences :.

The University of Southern Queensland is a leader in flexible learning, has a significant profile in regionally relevant research and is closely engaged with its communities. The University has over 26,000 enrolments, including 7,500 international students.

USQ was awarded the Commonwealth of Learning Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement in July 2004. Other awards include the Joint Winner of the Good Universities Guide University of the Year 2000-2001 Award in 1999, as well as the Inaugural Award for Excellence from the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) recognizing the university as a world leader in ‘dual mode’ education. Academics and staff of USQ were recognized as best university teachers, who have made a significant contribution to the quality of student learning over a sustainable period at the 2006 Carrick Awards and Citations respectively.

The Master of Education (MEd) programme offered at SEGi, in collaboration with the University of Southern Queensland, aims to develop the capabilities and dispositions required of its graduates to work as engaged professional educators in knowledge building communities.

The MEd provides educators/trainers the opportunity to enhance their professional competence through advanced coursework and research-based projects. The programme is set in the context of societies becoming increasingly reliant on the efforts of ‘knowledge workers’. Educators at all levels have important roles to play in developing the capacity of citizens to work effectively with knowledge. New approaches to education, emphasising knowledge building rather than transmission can contribute to preparing citizens to participate more fully in the ‘knowledge economy’ and ‘information society’.

Students can choose from one of 3 majors in which to specialize:
• Leadership & Management
• Special Education
• TESOL

Leadership & Management
This major uses authoritative and cutting edge research to examine ways that educational organisations can be led and managed to enhance their effectiveness and outcomes.

Programme Modules
• Concepts and Theories in Education Management
• Educators as Leaders: Emerging Perspectives
• Managing Resources in the New Organisation
• Organisational Transformation through Learning
• Foundations of Contemporary Educational Research
Methods
• Families, Children and Change
• Marketing Your Educational Organisation
• Master Project II

Special Education
The Special Education major provides an opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with children in regular education who have learning and/or behavioural problems. Students can elect to focus their studies on one of three areas: Inclusive Education, Learning Support, or Behaviour Management and School Adjustment.

Programme Modules
• Issues in Early Intervention
• Teaching Students with Special Needs: Behaviour Management
• Educating Students with Special Needs
• Emotional & Behavioural Problems of Child & Adolescents
• Learning Disabilities: Theory & Practice
• Families, Children and Change
• Foundations of Contemporary Educational Research Methods

TESOL
The demand for knowledge of the English language and the ability to use this language in many forms of communication continue to increase throughout the world. As a result, the requirement for English teachers all over the world continues to grow.

Currently there is a huge demand for teachers who are skilled, trained and certified in teaching English, due to the fact that there is a great worldwide desire to communicate in English.

The standard international qualification for teaching English to speakers of other languages / teaching English as a foreign language is TESOL
The TESOL Major aims to:
• Provide an opportunity for in-depth study in the area of second language learning and teaching.
• Enhance each student’s capacity to critically analyse relevant professional issues affecting current educational practices in the area of second language teaching and policy development.
• Enhance each student’s capacity for open, critical reflective thinking about second language teaching practice.

Programme Modules
• The Nature of Language
• Methodology in Teaching a 2nd Language
• Principles of 2nd Language Learning
• Introduction to Sociolinguistics
• Language Testing
• Syllabus Design & Materials Writing
• Foundations of Contemporary Educational Research Methods
• Concepts and Theories in Education Management

Early Childhood
The option in Early Childhood aims to explore specialist knowledge associated with quality care and education of children aged birth to eight years. The courses in the Early Childhood major examine various issues related to professional development and innovative practice across a variety of early childhood settings. Aspects of critical reflection, scholarship and independent enquiry are cultivated through professional awareness of authoritative literature and contemporary research grounded in international and local early childhood contexts.

Programme Modules
• Aesthetics in Early Childhood Arts
• Teaching Students with Special Needs: Behaviour Management
• Developing Masters in Early Childhood
• Issues in Early Childhood
• Families, Children and Change
• Foundations of Contemporary Educational Research Methods
• Marketing Your Educational Organisation
• Master Project II