Professional Enquiry: Education

The MEd Professional Enquiry in Education is a Chartered Teacher programme accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). It is managed by The Partnership for Professional Enquiry, which is a consortium of four local authorities: Falkirk, North Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian, along with the School of Education.

Programme Objectives

The MEd in Professional Enquiry in Education is a distinctive six-module programme which supports experienced teachers working in Scottish schools to meet the Standard for Charter Teacher. The programme is accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland against the Standard for Charter Teacher. It is a work-based programme in which you gain a sound understanding of the central themes of current education practice, broaden your own practice through refection and debate, and develop the knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the improvement of educational practice in your setting.

Entrance Requirements

For entrance onto this programme you are required to:

• Hold a Certificate of Eligibility from the GTCS
• Have access to a suitable setting in order to undertake professional enquiries in your workplace.
  

You must also be able to meet attendance requirements.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your  proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill), or TOEFL: Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23.

Funding

information on possible sources of funding

Modes of Study

The MEd Professional Enquiry in Education is offered on a part-time basis only. The period of study is normally three years.

Programme Start Date

February and September

Structure and Content

For the award of the Postgraduate Certificate you must complete the following modules:

• Exploring Professionalism in Practice: This module serves as the foundation for the rest of the programme. You will undertake self-evaluation against the revised Chartered Teacher Standard utilising your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio. Ideas about how we understand and value learners, teaching and teaching strategies will be explored whilst critically engaging with current policy and a wider educational literature
  
• Enquiring into Ideas: This module will support your continued exploration of educational literature within the broad pedagogic framework of education for all
  

For the award of the Postgraduate Diploma you must complete:

• Exploring Professionalism, Enquiring into Ideas plus Understanding Professional Enquiry: This module is the preparation for the first work-based element of the programme. You carry out a literature search to support the proposal for a classroom enquiry which will seek to change and extend your practice in order to achieve enhanced outcomes for all pupils
• Enquiring into Classroom Practice: This module involves you carrying out the classroom enquiry and evaluating the impact of the changes in your practice on the learning experiences of the pupils

For the award of the MEd degree you must, in addition to modules required for the Postgraduate Diploma, complete:

• Negotiating for Collaborative Professional Enquiry: You will undertake the planning stages of a collaborative enquiry with your colleagues, while exploring the relevant research and literature ensuring that your enquiry is evidence informed
• Conducting Collaborative Professional Enquiry: You will carry out the planned collaborative enquiry developed. This project will enable you to demonstrate all the professional actions of the Chartered Teacher Standard, within the context of contributing to your professional communities

Delivery and Assessment

The programme is delivered through a mixed mode of seminars, self-study materials and work-based  learning. Progress is assessed in a number of ways through self-evaluation, reports, classroom and collaborative professional enquiries.

Timetable

Contact the School for information on your timetable and reading lists.

RAE Rating

The School of Education was rated number 1 in Scotland in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE).

Career Opportunities

The programme provides continuing professional education, focusing on professional enquiry, which allows you to demonstrate that you meet the Revised Chartered Teacher Standard. The programme leads to both the award of a Master’s degree and Chartered Teacher status conferred by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).