Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Education for your Master of Arts at Massey
Fully investigate your education interests
With a Master of Arts (Education) at Massey, you can further investigate education issues that interested you as an undergraduate.
Massey offers you flexibility in the subjects you study, so you can follow your passions, whatever area of education you’re interested in.
You’ll graduate with great skills - this qualification will help your decision-making and give you a better understanding of developments in education and society.
Complete your MA in three semesters
Massey’s Master of Arts is 180 credits. This means you can complete an MA in three semesters of full-time study. If you study part-time, an MA will normally take three years to complete.
If you want to be a teacher
Please note that the Master of Arts (Education) does not qualify you to be a teacher. If you wish to become a teacher, see the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.
A Master of Arts in Education is a good fit if you:
- have an undergraduate major in education
- want to be involved in current education debates
- are keen to investigate a particular aspect of education for a research report or thesis.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Not all courses are available in each semester.
The Master of Arts is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.
Grades achieved in the first 60 credits will determine eligibility for progression to Part Two.
- For the coursework pathway a minimum B grade average is required.
- For the research pathway a minimum B+ grade average is required.
If you enrol in a thesis, you commence with Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 1, followed by Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 in the next enrolment period. Both parts combine to meet the thesis requirements with a single grade assigned to each part.
If the thesis cannot be submitted at the end of the initial Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 enrolment, you must re-enrol in Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 and pay fees each semester until submission is made.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Part One: Coursework Pathway (120 credits) or Research Pathway (Between 60 and 90 credits)
Course code: 254744 Pacific Peoples and Education in New Zealand 30 credits
A critical examination of current issues in education which affect Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand. Students will consider the place of Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand society and design strategies for meeting their educational needs within specified professional fields of interest.
View full course detailsCourse code: 261765 Trends in Digital Education 30 credits
This course critically explores how learning and pedagogical practices co-evolve with technological innovations, drawing on contemporary learning theories and empirical research in diverse learning contexts. Central themes in this course include critical issues in digital education, teaching & learning in a networked society, and how new/emerging technologies influence processes of learning and transformation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 263704 Advanced Studies in Motivation and Learning 30 credits
A study of learning and the applications of national and international theory and research within learning contexts with an emphasis on contemporary learning themes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 265737 Young Children, Families, Whānau and Communities 30 credits
This course offers a critical study of theory, research and policy relating to young children, families, whānau and communities. Content includes exploration of key theoretical perspectives, longitudinal research, and national and international policy that influences the lives of children, families, and whānau. Implications for young children, their families and whānau in the context of education and community will be explored.
View full course detailsCourse code: 269733 Mana Motuhake: Contemporary Issues in Māori & Indigenous Education 30 credits
An analysis of power, politics and resistance that underpin a range of contemporary and topical social issues which impact on Māori and/or indigenous education. A critical examination of the role of advocacy, activism and protest in advancing Māori and indigenous rights and aspirations in the context of education.
View full course detailsPart Two: Coursework Pathway
Course code: 267860 Professional Inquiry 60 credits
An advanced analysis of a significant professional situation to which a proposed solution is applied and evaluated, based on a critique of educational theory and literature.
View full course detailsPart Two: Research Pathway
Course code: 267871 Thesis 120 Credit Part 1 60 credits
An advanced preparation for research, including a critical review of research literature, methodological design, ethics application and a refined research proposal.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267872 Thesis 120 Credit Part 2 60 credits
An advanced realisation of proposed research, subsequent analysis and scholarly report.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267880 Thesis 90 credits
Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits
Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits
Course enables students to conduct and report research using academic research conventions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 267899 Thesis 120 credits
An advanced scholarly application of theory and practice using academic research conventions.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Arts (Education) you will have been awarded or qualified for:
-
a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, with at least a B grade average across the 200/300 level major courses
-
a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a subject in the intended postgraduate subject or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts with an endorsement in the intended postgraduate subject, or an equivalent qualification, with at least a B+ grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Research Pathway or a B grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Coursework Pathway.
If you have a BA (Hons) or PGDipArts from Massey University in the intended Master of Arts subject as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
A Master of Arts (Education) can open up a variety of career pathways. Education is a broad sector where you can work in education-based services or in educational roles in other organisations.
Possible careers and employment fields include:
- policy analysts
- educational roles in aid agencies, etc
- social services roles
- government and non-government educational services
- research and evaluation in an educational context
- policy development.
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Education
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz