Faculty of Education

Education majors for the BA

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Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) equips students with a number of important life skills, including an ability to communicate clearly, to think critically and creatively, to solve problems across a wide range of domains and to display general leadership qualities.

Education is a major in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and provides an excellent foundation for a career in many fields including teaching, social policy, youth work and community services. Education is multidisciplinary and draws on history, philosophy, politics, psychology and sociology. It appeals to students interested in issues such as social justice, challenges facing young people, and our changing world.

The BA is administered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

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BA in Education (EDUC)

Education is an academic and professional study which focuses on contemporary issues of direct concern to those working in a wide range of education services, including teachers. Education courses give you the knowledge and skills to understand and assess education theory, practice and policy issues. Staff teach courses linked to their own areas of research expertise in schooling and youth issues, educational psychology and counselling, education policy and theory, media and technology issues and young people, human development and behaviour, early childhood, Māori and Pacific education and more.

The study of Education will give you transferable knowledge, skills and understanding to make judgements about education and to analyse educational problems. In addition, the discipline provides a solid grounding for those interested in working in a wide range of people-related areas like youth work, professional training, community education and counselling.

Majors, Double-Majors, Minors

A major is the main area of study in a degree. Education can be taken as a double major with: Māori Studies, Psychology, History, Criminology, Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, Media Studies, Pacific Studies and many others. Major requirements vary so check on the FHSS website for degree information. Education can also be taken as a minor. Students can take up to two minors in the BA.

The subject requirements for a BA major in Education are as follows:

  • FEDU 101 and at least 15 further points from EPOL 113, 180-189, EPSY 113, 140-149, KURA 101
  • at least 55 points from EPOL 215, 280-289, EPSY 240-249, KURA 241-249
  • FEDU 301 and 40 further points from EPOL 317, 385-389, EPSY 315, 340-349, 389 and KURA 341-349, 389.

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BA in Education and Psychology (EDPS)

This interdisciplinary major is offered in conjunction with the School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science.

Education and Psychology Interdisciplinary Major

Students who complete a an interdisciplinary major in Education and Psychology may be able to continue to postgraduate study in education or educational psychology depending on the choices they make for their optional coursework in the majors.

The subject requirements for a BA in Education and Psychology are as follows:

  • EPSY 141 or 142; PSYC 121 or 122; STAT 193
  • EPSY 243 or 244; PSYC 232
  • EPSY 342 or 343; PSYC 325
  • 30 further points from EPOL, EPSY, KURA or PSYC 200–399
  • 30 further points from EPOL, EPSY, KURA or PSYC 300–399.

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BA in Early Childhood Studies (ECED)

Early Childhood Studies is a multidisciplinary field that explores the theory and practice of early childhood education, including child development theory and the history of educational practices.

The subject requirements for a BA major in Early Childhood Studies are as follows:

  • EPOL 113, 215, 317 and EPSY 113
  • EPSY 315 or another approved course from EPOL, EPSY or KURA 300-399
  • one further approved course from EPSY 200-399, EPOL 200-399 or KURA 200-399.

Note: Students will only be permitted to take this subject as their sole major through the BA if they are enrolled in the conjoint BA/BTeach(ECE).

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Careers

A degree in Education develops critical thinking, creativity, communication skills and equips graduates with knowledge and understanding to critically engage with educational and social issues. Many education graduates choose to go on to further study, including teaching qualifications (early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult literacy and numeracy).

Other choices made by education graduates include postgraduate study or employment in a variety of fields, including:

  • Policy analysis
  • Educational psychology
  • Government and Iwi services
  • Māori education
  • Youth studies
  • Community services and advocacy groups.

Postgraduate Study

Students intending to progress to postgraduate studies need to develop an appropriate study pathway, and are advised to consult with:

  • the Postgraduate Director (Education) for course advice and admission requirements

The Faculty of Education offers the following postgraduate qualifications:

  • Certificate and Diploma on Education and Professional Development
  • Master of Education
  • Master of Educational Psychology
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences offers the following postgraduate qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Education
  • Master of Arts in Education
  • Graduate Diploma of Arts
  • Postgraduate Diploma of Arts. 

How To Find Out More

For further information about courses in Education and Early Childhood Studies, contact the Faculty of Education.

Student Administration Office
Faculty of Education
Level 2, Waghorn Block
Karori Campus
Phone: +64 4 463 9535
Email: education@vuw.ac.nz

Psychology courses are taught within the School of Psychology, Floors 3, 4, 5 and 6, Easterfield Building.

School of Psychology - Te Kura Matai Hinengaro
Reception Level 6, Easterfield Building
Phone: 04 463 5373
Email: psychology@vuw.ac.nz
Website: www.victoria.ac.nz/psyc

For enquiries about the BA, contact the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Level 4, Murphy Building, Room 411
Kelburn Parade, Kelburn Campus
Phone: 04 463 5745
Email: fhss-enquiries@vuw.ac.nz
Website: www.victoria.ac.nz/fhss

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List of Courses

For course information go to Courses and search under the following subjects:

• For EPOL courses, select the subject Education Policy & Implementation

• For EPSY courses, select the subject Educational Psychology & Pedagogy

• For KURA courses, select the subject Education Māori Pasifika & Indigenous

EPOL 113 The Discovery of Early Childhood
EPOL 181 Schooling under Scrutiny: Educational Policy and Practice
EPSY 141 Human Development and Learning
EPSY 142 Understanding Behaviour: Working with People
FEDU 101 Foundations for Educational Studies
KURA 101 Cultural Politics of Education in New Zealand and the Pan-Pacific
PSYC 121 Introduction to Psychology 1
PSYC 122 Introduction to Psychology 2
STAT 193 Statistics for Natural and Social Sciences
EPOL 215 The Early Years Debates
EPOL 280 Adult Literacy and Numeracy: Policy, Theory and Practice
EPOL 281 Making Meaning: Young people, Society and School
EPOL 286 Education for Diversity, Social and Environmental Justice
EPSY 241 Young People, Education and Media
EPSY 243 Educational Psychology
EPSY 244 Issues in Human Development
KURA 211 Te Ao Māori II
KURA 241 Aims and Ideals of Māori Education
KURA 242 Pacific Nations Education
PSYC 232 Research Methods in Psychology
EPOL 315 Early Childhood Curriculum Studies
EPOL 317 Advocacy and Young Children
EPOL 386 Growing Up in a Digital World
EPOL 388 Global and Environmental Perspectives in Education
EPOL 389 Special Topic
EPSY 315 Learning Together: Young Children and Adults in Early Years Settings
EPSY 318 Professional Early Childhood Teaching Portfolio
EPSY 341 Classroom Studies
EPSY 342 Educational Psychology: Diverse Learners
EPSY 343 Youth and Life Challenges
EPSY 389 Special Topic
FEDU 301 Understanding Research in Education
KURA 341 Multi-ethnic Education
KURA 342 Contemporary Issues in Indigenous Education
KURA 389 Special Topic
PSYC 325 Advanced Research Methods in Psychology