Master of Education (MEd) (Area of Focus: Educational Management and Leadership)

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)

Programme Aims and Objectives

The programme is aimed at individuals who aspire to professional advancement in the educational sector, and those who intend to strengthen their foundational knowledge and deepen their study in certain Areas of Focus.

It is designed to support students in integrating their past experience with new insights in theory, practice and leadership. The curriculum combines specialist study and a broad-based education in professional reflection, assessment and research methods. It provides flexible learning routes for students from different knowledge backgrounds.

By the end of this programme, students will be able to:

a) demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding in their chosen Area of Focus;

b) review educational research critically, and conduct educational inquiries independently;

c) apply assessment principles and strategies for the promotion of learning; and

d) evaluate the larger policy and cultural contexts of education in Hong Kong and other societies through a critical understanding of their daily work.

Educational Management and Leadership

Effective Educational Leadership: The module examines theories and issues of effective educational leadership and explores ways in which school leaders can secure and sustain school improvement. Participants are expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the concept of leadership and how school leaders can effectively perform their roles in the reality of paradigm shift.

Managing Change and Innovations in School: The module prepares participants with knowledge and conceptual ability to apply appropriate theories and skills in managing change and innovations in school. Drawing on local and international experience, the module critically examines the nature and processes of change, reasons for resistance to change, and roles of change agents in initiating change in school. While change does not necessarily represent improvement, the module further explores the conditions under which educational change and innovations can be managed, and how change and innovations can be evaluated.

Managing Resources and Staff Development: The module aims at enhancing participants’ understanding and application of principles and theories of school finance and human resources management in discharging their duties in school management and also for strategic school development. Viewing education as an industry, the module will emphasise on the trend of decentralization and school-based management, which allows the school management to have greater autonomy of resources management with increasing demand on schools’ accountability, effectiveness and efficiency.

Organisational Dynamics: The module provides participants with an analytical background to the study of educational management and administration from a system and organisational perspective. Schools are complex formal organisations. The module examines how schools navigate between external/policy contexts and internal processes, and enhances our insight into human behaviour and learning within organisations. Drawing on local and international experience, the module analyses frameworks of educational organisations as bureaucracies, socio-political systems and open systems.

School, Family and Community Collaboration: This module is designed to provide participants with opportunities to examine theories, research and best practices in school, family and community collaboration and an overview of current policies and practices of family and community involvement in school education in Hong Kong and other countries.