REGULATIONS FOR MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION(EDU78)

Duration:                                        1 ½ years

Actual Credit Load:                          324

Minimum Credit Load:                 270

Maximum MBK Credit Load:         330

Total MBKs Credit Load                     234

ZNQF Level:                                    9

 

1.0   PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme aims at developing and producing innovative curriculum specialists with requisite knowledge and skills relevant to twenty-first century developmental and educational needs. It seeks to equip the students with world-class knowledge, skills and instructional competencies in the theory and practice of curriculum studies, thereby enabling them to design, develop and produce quality curriculum plans and related curriculum materials that meet the socio-economic needs of their country. Inputs from a needs analysis that the section conducted with stakeholders, namely, industry and commerce, sampled primary and secondary school, and polytechnic and teacher training college educators culminated in this rebranded programme. While it seeks to equip the students with scholarly, academic skills, the programme is premised on the social constructivist philosophy as it seeks to produce specialists capable of contributing to practical socio-economic transformation of their country. It seeks to equip the students with innovative skills that they will apply in the utilisation of current industrial parks in universities around them, and /or the establishment of new industrial parks in schools as venues for collaborative work with industry, commerce, students and the broader community, where saleable products are produced and commercialised.

2.1   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Education Degree from an accredited and recognised institution or Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Diploma in Education, Grad CE, BSc. Education.

Modes of Entry: Block Release and Weekend School

 

2.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of study: Education

Specialist Focus: Curriculum Studies

Orientation:

Applying theoretical knowledge and best practices in Curriculum and Instruction to solve problems facing educational settings, taking the lead in charting institution-level innovations for industrialisation and modernisation.

Distinctive Features:

3.0   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Graduates of Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction can: be employed as lecturers in tertiary institutions and offer consultancy and/or advisory services in a variety of government and private enterprises, including NGOs and other humanitarian organisations.  They can also be employed as school heads, college principals, heads of departments, curriculum developers, curriculum analysts, policy architects, training specialists, education consultants and board members in government departments, private institutions and international organisations.

 

4.0   PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Teaching and Learning Methods:

The programme shall be delivered through blended learning, field trips, project portfolios, action research, seminar presentations, group tasks, discussions and tutorials.

Assessment Methods:

  •         Except for the dissertation, the final assessment in each module shall be by continuous assessment and formal examinations.
  •         Continuous assessment shall constitute 40% of the final assessment.
  •         The written examination shall constitute 60% of the final assessment.
  •         To pass, a candidate should obtain at least 50% of continuous assessment and examination combined.
  •         Assessment of the dissertation shall be based on the final written research report (70%) submitted to the Department Examiners Board, and the oral defence (30%) combined.

 

5.0   LEARNING OUTCOMES

  •         Identify pertinent issues in the field and apply advanced methodologies and data analysis tools and techniques to conduct research that leads to sustainable innovative solutions, publications and other verifiable outcomes. The research should contribute to the development of innovative ideas in Curriculum Studies.
  •         Design and implement monitoring and evaluation tools that assure the quality of teaching of curriculum studies at all levels of education and training. 
  •         Translate research output into policy briefs that are readily adaptable to practitioners and policy-makers in the field.
  •         Demonstrate sound entrepreneurial and management skills that can be applied in educational institutions identify business opportunities, establish enterprises, and commercialise patterns/copyrights resulting from research and development activities.
  •         Evaluate, review and design curricula that are guided by the philosophy of unhu/ ubuntu and observance of safe and ethical practices in the field of curriculum and instruction.
  •         Design, implement, monitor and evaluate innovative educational curricula and policies that foster problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and embrace indigenous knowledge systems and the latest technologies.
  •         Integrate relevant research and theory to develop a broad repertoire of Curriculum and Instruction, appropriate pedagogical strategies and embrace the latest developments in Information Communication Technology.

 

6.0   GENERAL PROVISIONS

  •         The programme consists of 13 modules each worth 18 credits plus a dissertation worth 90 credits.
  •         A student shall register for all modules offered in the three semesters.
  •         To be awarded a Master of Education degree, a student shall pass all modules including dissertation, and shall have attained at least 324 credits.

7.0   PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT

  • Except for the dissertation, the final assessment in each module shall be by continuous assessment and formal examinations.
  •         Continuous assessment shall constitute 40% of the final assessment.
  •         The written examination shall constitute 60% of the final assessment.
  •         To pass, a candidate should obtain at least 50% of continuous assessment and examination combined.
  •         Assessment of the dissertation shall be based on the final written research report (70%) submitted to the Department Examiners Board, and the oral defence (30%) combined.

 

8.0   PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION

To proceed from one level to another, the candidate must obtain the minimum number of credits required but must fail in not more than two core modules. However he /she must pass all such core modules before obtaining the degree. To proceed to the next level, the candidate must at least pass 75% of the modules.

 

9.0   FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS

If a candidate fails all modules at the end of the first semester, he/she shall retake failed modules.

 

10.0           GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

 

  •         80%+ – Distinction
  •         70% -79% – Merit
  •         60%-69% – Credit
  •         50% -59% – Pass
  •         49% – Below – Fail

 

11.0           DEGREE WEIGHTING

Academic levels shall be considered for purposes of degree weighting as follows:

Maters full time/Block Release   50% for each of the two levels.

12.0           PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

 

Level 1 Semester 1

Code            Module Description                                                            Credits

MECI701     Advanced Curriculum Planning, Design, Development and    

Instruction                                                                                       18       

MECI 702    Advanced Psychological and Sociological Foundations of the

Curriculum and Instruction                                                               18

MECI703     Advanced Historical and Philosophical Foundations of the

Curriculum and Instruction                                                                18 

MECI 704    Advanced Curriculum Evaluation                                                      18

MED 731     Advanced Research Methods and Statistics                                        18                                                                                           

MICT732     Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education        18       

                                                                                                                                               

Level 1 Semester 2

MECI 705    Advanced Curriculum Analysis                                                         18

MECI 706    Current Themes and Discourses in Education and the Curriculum        18                                                         

MECI 707    Advanced Curriculum Change and Innovation                                 18

MED733      Gender Discourse in Education                                                         18

FMED132    Financial Management in Educational Institutions                              18

 

Level 2 Semester 1

 

MECI 708    *Curriculum Policy Analysis in Post-Colonial Africa/ Or                    18

MLMD111   *Advanced Guidance and Counselling for Educational  

Management                                                                                    18

MED744      Dissertation                                                                                   90                                                                                                                                                                   

 

*Students choose one of the electives                                                                                                                                                                       

 

  1.   MODULE SYNOPSES

MECI701 Advanced Curriculum Planning, Design, Development and Instruction

The module exposes students to the concept’s curriculum planning, design, development and instruction. It examines the principles and approaches to curriculum planning and critically analyses the major issues underlying it. The module equips students with skills and competencies to design instructional strategies appropriate for entrepreneurial projects needed by the community.

 

MECI702 Advanced Psychological and Sociological Foundations of the Curriculum and Instruction

The module equips students with both psychological and sociological tools for analysing and understanding the premises on which curricula and instructional practices are based at different points in time. Furthermore, students shall explore ways in which social, economic and technological determinants of the curriculum and instruction can be applied to innovation and industrialisation projects in classrooms, schools and the community.

 

MECI703 Advanced Historical and Philosophical Foundations of the Curriculum and Instruction

The module equips students with historical and philosophical antecedents that have shaped curriculum and instruction practices over the years. Through foregrounding curriculum and instruction in past educational practices and attendant educational philosophies, students shall acquire insights pertaining to contemporary curricular practices. They shall utilise these historical and philosophical insights as a theoretical platform for designing and producing curriculum and instruction programmes relevant to innovation and industrialisation.

 

MECI704 Advanced Curriculum Evaluation

The module explores the meaning, purposes and processes of curriculum evaluation in its various forms. It also explores some models of curriculum evaluation and analyses the personnel for evaluation and their roles. Students shall explore how analysis and evaluation inform each other. Through studying the various evaluation models and meta-evaluation, students shall acquire evaluation research skills that enable them to improve existing curriculum and instructional designs. They shall use research-based evidence to craft new educational programmes relevant to innovation and industrialisation.

 

MED731 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

The module develops postgraduate students’ knowledge in the following areas of educational research: the different philosophical orientations in research; research paradigms; theoretical and conceptual frameworks; research designs; data collection methodologies; advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques; as well as discussion of findings and making conclusions. The module also introduces students to significant educational research problems whose resolution has a potential to contribute to knowledge in educational areas such as pedagogy and assessment, as well as in sustainable development issues such as health, poverty eradication, environmental awareness, etc.

 

MICT732 Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education

The module exposes students to the theory and practical application of information and communication technologies in relation to Curriculum and Instruction. In this module, students learn how to apply technologies to teaching and learning in the workplace and to exploit entrepreneurial opportunities for innovation and industrialisation.

 

MECI 705 Advanced Curriculum Analysis

The module exposes students to a deeper understanding, knowledge and research skills necessary for analysing curricula. Students shall study topics such as comparative analysis, functional analysis and materials analysis of current global and local curriculum, and instructional designs among others. Through curriculum analysis, students shall develop skills that enhance their ability to design curriculum and instruction programmes that enhance innovation and industrialisation.

 

MECI 706 Current Themes and Discourses in Education and the Curriculum

This module seeks to acquaint students with skills to analyse, synthesise and evaluate critical themes, issues and trends as much as they influence the curriculum and instruction in particular and education in general. It enables students to explore ways in which school programmes can use some of the current themes and discourses in implementing the outcomes-based curriculum to propagate innovation and industrialisation.

 

MECI 707 Advanced Curriculum Change and Innovation

This module puts into perspective the concept of curriculum changes and how it differs from curriculum innovation. It emphasises the need for planned change in school programmes. Using strategies for curriculum change and innovation, students shall explore ways of involving teachers in applying curriculum and instruction to the production of technological and entrepreneurial artefacts by teachers and learners.

 

MED733 Gender Discourse in Education

The module explores fundamental perspectives in Gender Studies to address historical gender inequalities in society and education in particular. It inculcates a critical analysis of the concept “gender,” its historical development and ideologies that perpetuate gender differences.  The module explores implications for sustainable development goals on gender, education and development.  It also explores gender inequalities in STEM as one of the pillars of development.

MED704 Dissertation

The Dissertation is a research study carried out over two semesters by each postgraduate student under the guidance of a supervisor. Students apply their knowledge and skills in conducting research on contemporary educational and social issues in their area of specialisation. Students are encouraged to conduct research, which has the potential to contribute to knowledge and policies in education, and in social issues such as poverty, disaster and risk management, environmental conservation, etc. Students are expected to produce and submit a dissertation that meets the standards of research work at Masters Level.

 

FMED732 Financial Management in Education Institutions

The module introduces financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It considers basic accounting concepts and conventions, including the double entry system of recording business transactions, preparation of general-purpose financial statements, bank reconciliation statements, and skills of budgeting and budgetary control as well as accounting requirements of Treasury Instructions.

 

MECI708 Curriculum Policy Analysis in Post-Colonial Africa

The module introduces students to various ways of critically analysing curriculum policy within a broad social, economic and political context, considering contemporary developments in education policy in institutional, local, national and global contexts.  Students explore existing policy issues and practices and apply insights drawn from current discourses such as literacy studies and critical theory to innovation and industrialisation.

 

MLMD111 Advanced Guidance and Counselling for Educational Managers

The module introduces students to problems of the external environment, which, often impact heavily on the education environment, giving rise to a host of social problems and challenges in educational settings. This module helps students to fulfil their roles as effective educational managers by equipping them with a wide range of social and personal support skills, which enable them to provide guidance and counselling to learners and educators.