Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Education (Without Specialisation) is an unendorsed pathway that allows students to construct an individualised programme rather than committing to one named specialisation.
• Students can select education courses from the available subject schedules and elective schedule according to their professional or academic interests.
• Massey uses an enquiry-based and inter-professional learning model, with an emphasis on contemporary education knowledge, research, professional practice and learning that can be applied in students’ own professional settings.
• The programme is designed to develop research capability, professional knowledge and understanding of current developments and changes in education.
• Flexible distance and blended-learning options allow students to study from different locations.
• Massey states that its Master of Education offers a large range of endorsements/specialisations within a postgraduate education degree in New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme is parts-based, meaning students must complete Part One requirements before progressing to Part Two.

Coursework pathway:

• Part One: 120 credits.
• Core: 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education, 15 credits.
• Research methods: choose 15 credits from approved research-methods courses.
• Subject/schedule courses: 90 credits.
• Part Two: 60-credit Professional Inquiry.
• A minimum B grade average across the first 120 credits is required to progress to Part Two.

Research pathway:

• Part One: 90 credits.
• Core: 254710 Ruia taitea: Transforming Education, 15 credits.
• Research methods: 15 credits.
• Subject/schedule courses: 60 credits.
• Part Two: 90-credit thesis.
• A minimum B+ grade average across the first 90 credits is required for progression to Part Two.

Examples of available subject courses include:

• Manarite in Education
• Equity and Inclusion in Education
• Neurodiversity in Education
• Working with Children and Adolescents
• Pacific Peoples and Education in New Zealand
• Valuing Relationships and Practices in Educational Contexts, Settings and Communities
• Foundations of Literacy Education
• Understanding and Addressing Literacy Needs
• Critical and Current Topics in Literacy
• Educational Leadership in Action
• Theory and Process in Educational Leadership
• Digital Education and Design for Learning
• Innovations and Critical Issues in Digital Education
• Teaching and Digital Education
• Advanced Studies in Motivation and Learning
• Assessment for Learning and Teaching
• Informed Practice in Early Years Education
• Young Children, Families, Whanau and Communities
• Fostering Children’s Learning Through Play-based Pedagogy
• Policy and Development in Maori Education
• Mana Motuhake: Contemporary Issues in Maori & Indigenous Education
• Mana Whanau: Whanau Engagement in Education
• Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities
• STEM in Education and Society
• Mathematics in Schooling and Society
• Making Mathematics Accessible.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected programme is explicitly Without Specialisation. This means students do not have to complete a named endorsement and can construct their study from available education subject schedules and electives.

Massey’s wider Master of Education also offers the following named specialisations:

• Digital Education
• Early Years
• Educational Administration and Leadership
• Inclusive Education
• Literacy Education
• Mathematics Education
• Without Specialisation

Programme Highlights

• 180-credit Master of Education.
• Available as an unendorsed/Without Specialisation pathway.
• Flexible distance and online study.
• Coursework and research/thesis pathways.
• Opportunity to build an individually tailored programme.
• Strong focus on contemporary education research, professional inquiry and evidence-based practice.
• Subject choices span educational leadership, digital education, literacy, early years, Maori and Indigenous education, inclusion, mathematics, STEM, assessment, learning and other education topics.
• Advanced entry may be available for applicants with specified prior qualifications.
• International students can study this programme online from outside New Zealand

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the Master of Education can enhance and advance careers across areas including:

• education settings
• TESOL settings
• Maori education roles
• special education
• professional training and development in organisations such as teaching hospitals, businesses, community organisations and libraries
• leadership roles in centres, schools and post-school settings
• learning and instructional design
• research and policy development. 

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

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

The programme is parts-based, and progression requirements must be met before entering Part Two:

• Coursework pathway: minimum B average over the first 120 credits.
• Research pathway: minimum B+ average over the first 90 credits.

International Student Visa Requirements

The current Massey programme page specifically states that international students can study this qualification online from outside New Zealand. Therefore, an international student who remains outside New Zealand and studies the programme online does not normally need a New Zealand student visa merely to undertake the online study.

If a student instead intends to undertake study physically in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa requirements become relevant. The current visa provides:

• Up to 4 years' stay, depending on circumstances.
• Visa cost from NZD $850.
• 80% processing within 8 weeks.
• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or an appropriate scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Satisfactory health and character requirements.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.