MA in Online and Distance Education
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Taught Masters
- Code
- F10
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 180 credits
Description
This masters degree course is part of a programme that starts with the Postgraduate Certificate in Online and Distance Education and culminates in the MA. These qualifications are presented by The Open University's Institute of Educational Technology and are open to students from countries all over the world. They offer you the unique opportunity to study the theory and practice of online and distance education through modules designed by experts from the Institute who are now using information technology to reinvent open distance learning. Working with them, in collaboration with colleagues from around the world you will be at the forefront of the latest developments as they happen.
Planning your studies
You must be prepared for study at postgraduate level. This usually means holding the equivalent of a degree from a UK university. You must also be proficient in spoken and written English. Although experience of distance education may be an advantage, it is not essential. If you are not sure whether your qualifications and experience are suitable, please do not hesitate to ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for advice. You can take the modules in any order. We would expect you, normally, to take no more than 60 credits of study each year.
All study materials are delivered online. You will need a personal computer with CD-ROM drive and access to the internet.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Career relevance and employability
Workplaces and work roles increasingly involve media-rich and technology-enhanced forms of learning, professional practice and personal development, often summarised in the term ‘elearning’. Accordingly the experience of achieving the Masters in Online and Distance Education has proved vocationally relevant across a wide range of occupations and locations, from managers in business organisations, teachers of languages, consultants, trainers and teachers at any level of the education sector.
Each module in the Masters in Online and Distance Education requires study using a range of tools and learning environments. Consequently graduates improve their personal skills in using these tools and this makes a positive impact on their own practice. They will have explored in-depth the research and practice literature in technology enhanced learning, and experienced the implications of learning technology choices made across a wide range of contexts and organisations, both formal and informal. Participants in the programme will have advanced not only their skills of selection and design of technology, but also their understanding of how technologies engage learners and how they can be evaluated and developed on a continuing basis.
Depending on their choice of module study, the qualification will enable them to demonstrate in addition, expertise in particular areas:
- The use of portfolios for professional development within university, college, management or other contexts (H808)
- The development of inclusive education in relation to the accessibility of learning contexts online for all students, including the support needs of those with a disability (H810).
- Students who wish to specialise in the research and evaluation area can also build a foundation in terms of engagement with the research literature and research methods, which provides an excellent platform for further postgraduate study (H809).
The vocational relevance of the Masters in Online and Distance Education goes well beyond the obvious category of teacher and trainer, and previous alumni have included librarians, media professionals, project managers, consultants, entrepreneurs, practice educators in nursing, and web developers.
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
Modules
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
60 credits from the following compulsory module:
| Postgraduate compulsory module | Credits | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2012 |
And at least 60 credits from the following optional modules:
| Postgraduate optional modules | Credits | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Sep 2012 |
|
30 | Feb 2012 |
|
30 | Sep 2012 FINAL |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules H801, H802, H803, H804, H805, H806, H807, H850
And either a further 60 credits from the optional modules listed above or 60 credits can be gained from most other postgraduate modules.
If you have already studied with The Open University at postgraduate level and now want to count your module or modules towards the MA in Online and Distance Education, you will need to ask us to link your previous record to the qualification. We will check our regulations at that stage to ensure the module is eligible.
If you complete your degree before 31 December 2011 you have the option of continuing with the previous structure as follows:
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
At least 120 credits from the following optional modules:
| Postgraduate optional modules | Credits | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Sep 2012 |
|
30 | Feb 2012 |
|
60 | Feb 2012 |
|
30 | Sep 2012 FINAL |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules H801, H802, H803, H804, H805, H806, H807, H850
And either a further 60 credits from the modules listed above or 60 credits can be gained from most other postgraduate modules.
If you have already studied with The Open University at postgraduate level and now want to count your module or modules towards the MA in Online and Distance Education, you will need to ask us to link your previous record to the qualification. We will check our regulations at that stage to ensure the module is eligible.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Please see our Credit Transfer site for details. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules, so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Master of Arts in Online and Distance Education entitling you to use the letters MA ODE (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
You are also eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate in Online and Distance Education (C23) when you have successfully gained 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma in Online and Distance Education (D36) after achieving 120 credits. It is up to you to request your certificate or diploma on completion of the required number of credits.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Qualification Regulations
- Introduction to the Qualification Regulations
- General Qualification Regulations
- MA in Online and Distance Education
- Schedule B to the Qualification Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification in Education.
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