Education MA, Independent Work, 15 credits

Aim

The course aims for the student to demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to first‑cycle education and shall, in addition to what applies at the first‑cycle level,


- further develop their ability to independently integrate and apply knowledge within the main field of Education,
- develop their ability to manage complex phenomena, issues, and situations, and
- develop the conditions required for professional practice demanding a high degree of independence, or for research and development work within the main field of Education.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main field of Education, including both an overview of the field and in‑depth knowledge in certain areas, as well as demonstrate insight into current research and development work;
• demonstrate advanced methodological knowledge within the main field of Education;
• demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess, and manage complex phenomena, issues, and situations, even with limited information;
• independently identify and formulate research questions, and be able to plan and carry out qualified research tasks within given time frames using appropriate methods;
• clearly present and discuss, both orally and in writing and in national as well as international contexts, their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which these are based, in dialogue with different groups;
• demonstrate the skills required within the main field of Education to participate in research and development work or to work in other qualified professional contexts;
• demonstrate the ability to make assessments within the main field of Education with consideration to relevant scientific, societal, and ethical aspects, and show awareness of ethical considerations in research and development work;
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, particularly Education as a discipline, its role in society, and people’s responsibility for how it is used;
• identify and articulate their need for further knowledge, and take responsibility for their own learning;
• have completed an independent project of at least 15 credits within the main field of Education

Content

The course addresses how a scientific work is conducted and reported. This is done through the writing of an independent project.

Entry requirements

A completed degree comprising at least 180 credits, including an independent project (degree project) of 15 credits in the main field of Education or an equivalent field, or a completed teacher education degree comprising at least 180 credits with an independent project (degree project) of 15 credits, as well as research methodology comprising at least 15 credits at the second‑cycle level. In addition, proficiency in Swedish and English is required, corresponding to the general entry requirements for first‑cycle studies in Swedish higher education.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

Teaching is delivered digitally in the form of lectures, seminars, group exercises, supervision, and self‑study. The course includes compulsory components and examinations that require attendance. Instruction may be conducted in English and may make use of various forms of communication.

Examination form

3001: Independent Project – Degree Project, 15 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale

A written independent project, which is presented at a seminar including an opponent. The student’s ability to write an independent project, defend their own project, and serve as opponent on another student’s project is included in the assessment in relation to the learning outcomes. The student’s achievement of the course learning outcomes is examined individually. Knowledge and understanding outcomes are assessed in writing or orally. Skill‑related outcomes are assessed through practical exercises in which the individual student is examined and evaluated.

If the independent project is written by two students, each student must be able to account individually for the entire content. The students’ individual contributions in terms of content and writing must be clearly stated in a preface.

If the student has a decision from the coordinator at Mid Sweden University regarding educational support due to a disability, the examiner has the right to provide an adapted form of examination.

Link to subject‑specific grading criteria: www.miun.se/betygskriterier

Grading system

Three-grade scale

Other information

The course may not be included in the same degree as the course code PE024A.