Master of Information Technology in Education

Course Codes

Overview

Information technology in education is an important and expanding area, and the Master of Information Technology in Education provides the opportunity for practitioners, managers and administrators to undertake specialist research in the area. The course provides a specialist pathway from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Education or approved equivalent qualification.

The course has three one-year stream options: a 30,000-word thesis stream (Stream 100), a coursework and 20,000-word thesis stream (Stream 100A), and a coursework-only stream (Stream 100B).

The Master of Information Technology in Education, Streams 100 and 100A are research-classified courses, and the Master of Information Technology in Education, Stream 100B is a coursework-classified course. Graduates may be eligible to apply for entry to Doctor of Education program.

Special Note: All students who wish to apply for a stream with a thesis component must submit an Expression of Interest before applying.

Important Information for International Applicants: Due to Australian Government regulations, all overseas students must enrol in full-time courses to be eligible for a student visa.

Course Objectives

Students who have completed the Master of Information Technology in Education (MITEd) course should be able to:

• show an understanding of the theory and practice of research in educational computing;
• evaluate relevant research literature and carry out research related to the use of computing and related technologies for learning;
• make effective use of the findings of writings and research in addressing professional problems in the use of learning technologies;
• demonstrate a depth of knowledge and understanding that will enable them to be a resource for colleagues in technology-supported educational settings;
• take an informed role in debates on policy in relation to learning technologies;
• demonstrate an appreciation of professional responsibilities and ethical principles which should characterise leaders in educational computing.

Entrance Requirements

An applicant may be eligible for entry into the Master of Information Technology in Education if the applicant has:

• completed an approved degree and an approved teaching qualification and the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Computer Education or approved equivalent; or
• completed an approved four-year teaching degree and the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Computer Education or approved equivalent; or
• completed an approved four-year degree or equivalent and can demonstrate a record of research and publications and professional experience in a field and at a level acceptable to the School.

Applicants for Stream 100 and 100A are required to submit a thesis proposal signed by their prospective supervisor with their application.

Students must also achieve a grade of H2A or better in the research method subject before being permitted to undertake the thesis component. Students achieving a grade of H2B may be allowed to undertake the thesis if they have the explicit support of their supervisor that they are capable of doing so. Students achieving a grade of less than H2B may be required to convert from a research masters to a coursework only degree.

Wherever possible, students should take the research method subject just prior to the commencement of the thesis.

Length of Time Acceptable Since Completion of Previous Qualification and/or Prerequisites

Applicants for the Master of Information Technology in Education who are applying for entry on the basis of qualifications obtained more than ten years prior to the year in which selection is sought, will normally be required to undertake two subjects from the Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Education and gain an H2A or above in each subject prior to admission to the Master of Information Technology in Education.

Applicants who wish to resume their Masters study after a gap of more than 10 years will normally be required to undertake two subjects and gain an H2A or above in each subject prior to re-admission to any stream of the Master of Information Technology in Education.

Course Structure

Stream 100: Thesis of 30,000 words (327AR)

Students are required to complete a thesis of 30,000 words, representing 100 points of study. Students are required to undertake methodology studies concurrently with their Masters studies if methodology studies have not already been undertaken prior to entry to the course or at the direction of their supervisor. Students must publicly present a research paper in the last six months of their candidature.

Approved research methodology studies:

Stream 100A: Coursework and Thesis of 20,000 words (327AT)

Students are required to undertake 100 points of study, consisting of a thesis of 20,000 words with a research methodology component (75 points) and 25 points of coursework selected from the list of 25-point subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked with an asterisk. Students must publicly present a research paper in the last six months of their candidature.

Coursework subjects (select one):

Approved research methodology studies:

Students may not select subjects already taken within the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Computer Education, and equivalent subjects for which the content has major overlap with specific subjects in the above list.

Refer to the Subject Descriptions section of this Handbook for details about these subjects.

Stream 100B: Coursework Only (327BW)

Students are required to undertake 100 points of coursework selected from the list of 25-point subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (online) mode of delivery are marked with an asterisk.

Coursework subjects (select four):

Students may not select subjects already taken within the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Computer Education, and equivalent subjects for which the content has major overlap with specific subjects in the above list.

External Mode of Delivery

Some subjects within this course are also offered in external (online) mode of delivery. It is possible to undertake Stream 100B entirely in external mode of delivery providing students select subjects that are available in external mode of delivery. It is also possible to undertake the coursework component of Stream 100A externally providing students select subjects that are available in external mode of delivery. However, Streams 100A and 100 cannot be undertaken entirely in external mode of delivery as the thesis must be done while on campus at the University of Melbourne. Students wishing to undertake subjects offered in external (online) mode of delivery should first check that they meet the requirements to study externally.