Specialist Certificate in Global Studies in Education

Global processes have transformed the requirements of work and the labour market, as well as cultural and political landscapes, requiring new ways of approaching education and training.

The Specialist Certificate of Global Studies in Education will explore the complex ways in which the world is becoming interconnected and interdependent and the impact of this on education settings, pedagogy, curriculum and assessment. It highlights the imperatives for responding to the changing external environment with regard education policy and governance.

Targeted at practicing teaching professionals employed in transnational educational settings, the course covers contemporary issues in globalisation, policy and leadership.

It is expected that the course will be of particular interest to international Schools and the teachers they employ, as well as non-government organisations (NGOs) such as AusAid where there is large workforce with responsibility for the delivery of Aid funded educational programs in transnational settings.

To attract and enable a transnational cohort that reflects the focus of the program, delivery will be fully on-line. Cohorts will be limited to a maximum number of participants that will complete the program as a cohort and requires the cohort to pursue the same sequence of subjects.

New deliveries will be scheduled once a new minimum cohort is achieved.

This approach is modelled on a successful international program delivered by the University of Illinois, which was coordinated by Professor Fazal Rizvi, who will be the Course Coordinator for this program.

The University of Illinois is the only other global provider of a Global Studies in Education online program.

MGSE has specifically listed this course in its most recent Business Plan as a strategic priority in delivering postgraduate qualifications wholly online. The faculty has enlisted MCP to support and operationalize this strategy. MCP currently delivers industry focused online programs with MGSE.

The objectives of the course are to:

• develop a critical understanding of global changes and their impact on education
• acquire a range of resources for internationalizing curriculum and pedagogy
• enhance student skills and capabilities to work in culturally diverse global settings

The Specialist Certificate in Global Studies in Education will comprise 1 x 25 point subject designed to provide students with knowledge of issues of globalization and its implications for educational policy and practice.

The course is only offered as part-time study and can be completed over 6 months.

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria:

• an approved degree and an approved teaching qualification; or
• an approved four-year teaching degree; or
• An approved three year bachelor degree and at least 2 years of relevant professional experience
• International applicants must meet the University’s English language entry requirements, which require either recent previous postgraduate study completed entirely in English, or an IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with written 7.0, no band less than 6.0) or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and may call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

The Specialist Certificate in Global Studies in Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.
For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

After completion of this course, students can gain a full credit (25 credit points) into the Postgraduate Certificate in Global Studies in Education and the Master of Global Studies in Education.