Introduction

This master’s degree program in educational science is designed for students who have completed either a three- or four-year teacher education program or another relevant study program. On completion of the program, students will be qualified to teach or conduct research-and-development work within school and higher-education contexts. The study program consists of three parts: a compulsory component (including scientific theory and subject didactics); an elective component; and a master’s thesis. The study program positions teaching as the fundamental professional activity in the teaching profession.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

Target applicants are students on teacher education programs designed to train teachers to work in primary and lower-secondary schools; students on other teacher education programs; and students with bachelor’s degrees that satisfy the admission criteria.

The study program leads to a Master’s degree in Educational Science, with English, Norwegian or Social Studies as a Major Area of Study.

For admission to the program, students must have completed one of the following educational programs:

- three years of a teacher education program designed to train primary and lower-secondary school (GLU) teachers, i.e., teachers for years 1–7 or 5–10. Students on a GLU teacher education program may commence the master’s program in their fourth year.

- a three- or four-year general teacher education program

- a bachelor’s degree from a university or a university college in a relevant subject, with at least 80 ECTS credits gained from specialization in English, Norwegian or social sciences.

- subject to approval by the admissions committee, an equivalent course of study.

All applicants must have obtained at least 60 ECTS credits in at least one of the following subjects: Norwegian, English, and one of the social sciences. Specializations from previous study programs will provide a basis for further specialization during the master’s program. When seeking applications for a specific admission year, the faculty may restrict eligibility to particular specializations. All applicants must state whether they wish to specialize further in Norwegian, English or social sciences.

The admission process will be conducted in accordance with Telemark University College’s regulations on admissions to master’s degree programs.

All applicants must have obtained an average grade score of at least C, including a grade C in the subject in which they wish to specialize.

Applicants will be ranked in grade order.

Aim of the Programme

Students will acquire advanced knowledge of educational science, in particular scientific theory, scientific method, didactics and subject didactics, as well as an elective specialization. The described learning outcomes for both the compulsory and elective courses will reflect the overarching goals of the master’s degree in educational science. The study program is research-based and will provide students with the in-depth knowledge and skills required to evaluate other researchers’ findings and to conduct their own research in connection with their master’s theses. The study program has close links to professional practice within the field, and aims to apply scientific method to the interpretation of practical pedagogical experience. The study program includes two weeks’ teaching practice in a primary, lower-secondary or upper-secondary school.

Learning outcome

After successfully completing the study program, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Has in-depth knowledge of scientific theories and methods relevant to educational science.
• Can engage in a critical discussion and evaluation of general problems within the field of educational science and of particular problems relevant to specific specializations.
• Has advanced knowledge of research in didactics and subject didactics, and of relevant specializations in the field of subject didactics
• Has research-based in-depth knowledge within his or her subject specialization, as well as general knowledge of recent research within the field
• Has advanced knowledge of key areas of change within education

Skills

The candidate can:

• In accordance with ethical guidelines, contribute in the course of academic supervision and other teaching sessions to the development of knowledge in his or her specialization within educational science by conducting research projects
• Apply relevant educational research methods within his or her specialization
• Engage in critical reflection over his or her own professional practice and be receptive to advice from his or her academic supervisor
• Use his or her research-based knowledge when teaching in a school or providing academic supervision
• Structure and formulate arguments based on independent research relating to educational science

General competence

The candidate can:

• Disseminate his or her own and other parties’ research both orally and in writing in a professional manner
• Contribute to new thinking, entrepreneurship, and innovation in relation to issues in the field of educational science and contribute to the development of his or her specialization within a school setting
• Use his or her skills and knowledge in the field of educational science in new areas in order to implement advanced projects in a school setting in cooperation with practitioners within the field
• Identify professional ethical problems relevant to educational science

Curriculum and structure

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) Det er mulig å velge masteroppgave på 45 stp. Total: 15 30 15 15 15 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The study program consists of a Joint Component which includes Scientific Theory and Methodology (15 ECTS - autumn) and Subject Didactics and Didactics (15 ECTS); elective course I (15 ECTS credits) over two semesters, and elective course II (15 ECTS credits) in the spring semester. The study program allows admission of both full- and part-time students, campus and online students. The Master’s thesis will be completed in the 3^rd year in the part-time study program.

Joint Component 30 ECTS credits

- Scientific Theory and Methodology (15 ECTS credits)

- Subject Didactics and Didactics (15 ECTS credits)

Elective courses, 30 ECTS credits

- Elective courses, two courses of 15 ECTS credits each

- (three elective courses in the case of a thesis comprising 45 ECTS credits)

Master’s Thesis 60 or 45 ECTS credits

Total 120 ECTS credits

Internationalization

Students have the opportunity of taking part of their studies abroad at an institution which Telemark University College has entered into a cooperation agreement with and which relates to the Master’s Program in Educational Science. The Faculty of Art, Folk Culture and Teacher Education (EFL) has established agreements with the following institutions:

Scandinavia:

University of Karlstad, Karlstad (Sweden) www.kau.se

Iceland University of Education, Reykjavik (Iceland) www.hi.is

Europe:

Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool (England) www.hope.ac.uk

Asia:

University of Pune, Maharashtra, Pune (India) www.unipune.ac.in

USA:

Molloy College, Long Island, New York www.molloy.edu

Pacific Lutheran University, Washington State www.plu.edu

Teaching and Learning Methods

The instruction will take place in the form of lectures, coursework, projects, seminars and Master’s thesis work. Emphasis will be placed on dialogue with the students both in lectures and seminars. Researchers from various academic traditions will provide instruction for the study program.

Teaching and supervision will take place online in real time. Telemark University College offers lectures, seminars, group teaching and guidance in a PC / Mac based video conference program which allows students to follow the study program without being physically present on campus. Many of the courses are organized with regular teaching hours, with mandatory participation. Several courses will be given as hybrid teaching, which offers the opportunity of participating with campus students.

The study programme will also include workshops at the TUC campuses.

Each student is entitled to supervision over 2 years, including 25/20 hours supervision in relation to the Master’s thesis. The student is responsible for planning, choice of topic, drafting of the project and collection of material, as well as the writing and completion of his/her work.

The various teaching and learning methods have been selected to reinforce the study program’s learning outcomes.

Theory and Practical Training

The study programme includes two weeks practical training in the 2nd semester in a primary or secondary school. The practical training will be carried out in schools that the college has established an agreement with.

The practical training will emphasise the interplay between theory and practice from a research-based perspective through a tripartite discussion and the relationship to the course Subject Didactics and Didactics. The collection of empirical materials and classroom research will by agreement be possible outside the period of practical training.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean