Why Study / Key Benefits

Massey University’s Master of Education (Literacy Education) is designed for educators and education professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of literacy development and evidence-based literacy practice. The programme focuses on analysing, synthesising and critically evaluating research and theory related to literacy, with particular attention to preventing and intervening when konga/learners experience literacy-learning difficulties. It is designed to connect research with professional practice and can be undertaken by educators working with literacy at different educational levels.

Students learn through Massey’s distance-learning environment and can study around existing professional and personal commitments. The university states that students work with nationally and internationally recognised practitioners and researchers and maintain contact with lecturers and peers through its collaborative online learning environment.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current Literacy Education specialisation includes the following specialist courses:

1. 258720 Foundations of Literacy Education – 30 credits

This course examines the critical language skills and cognitive processes underpinning literacy and language acquisition. It also considers factors influencing literacy and language acquisition, relevant policy and foundational documents, and implications for effective literacy practices based on current literature.

2. 258722 Understanding and Addressing Literacy Needs – 30 credits

This course focuses on evidence-based practices for identifying and working with learners who have literacy-learning needs. Students consider the learner within their wider context and explore teaching practices designed to improve progress and equity.

3. 258725 Critical and Current Topics in Literacy – 30 credits

This course provides advanced study of research into current and critical literacy topics. It considers how different forms of literacy can support children to participate as critical, creative and engaged citizens and enhance communication in classroom environments.

The specialisation also includes other approved subject courses within the 120-credit Literacy Education schedule, depending on the chosen pathway and course requirements.

The common Master of Education core includes:

• 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education – 15 credits

This course examines critical issues in education in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, including social justice, cultural location and collective wellbeing.

Research-methods options currently include:

• 267721 Research Methodologies in Education – 15 credits
• 267741 Indigenous Research Methodologies – 15 credits

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Master of Education.
• Literacy Education specialisation.
• Distance and online delivery.
• Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.
• Coursework and research/thesis pathways.
• Focus on evidence-based literacy education.
• Strong emphasis on literacy-learning difficulties, prevention and intervention.
• Research and theory are connected directly with professional practice.
• Opportunity to study literacy across different educational levels.
• Research pathway includes a substantial 90-credit thesis.
• The qualification can support further academic study and literacy leadership roles.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the Literacy Education MEd can enhance careers for educators and professionals working in education and can support literacy leadership roles across different organisations. It can also provide preparation for advanced academic study.

Relevant career applications can include:

• Literacy education and teaching
• Literacy leadership
• Educational professional development
• Literacy intervention and learner support
• Educational research
• Education policy and development
• Leadership roles within educational organisations
• Further academic/research study

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme page contains an important update concerning the research pathway: Massey says that students planning Part One for the Research pathway currently need to pass only one 15-credit research-methods course, rather than two as indicated in some older thesis-entry information. The thesis entry requirements are being updated.

Other important current requirements are:

• Students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.
• Coursework-pathway students need at least a B average over the first 120 credits to progress to Part Two.
• Research-pathway students need at least a B+ average over the first 90 credits to progress to Part Two.
• Research applicants must submit a research-interest summary of 200 words or less.
• Applicants without a Bachelor of Education or equivalent must provide a CV demonstrating relevant educational leadership/management experience.
• Official transcripts from other universities are required.
• A prior Massey Postgraduate Diploma in Education may provide an opportunity for credit towards Part One.

International Student Visa Requirements

The Literacy Education MEd is offered online and is explicitly open to international students studying from outside New Zealand. Therefore, an international student who remains outside New Zealand to complete the programme online does not ordinarily need a New Zealand student visa simply to undertake the offshore online study.

If a student intends to study physically in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa is the relevant visa category for eligible fee-paying study. Current requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Health and character requirements.
• A genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.