Educational Studies and
     Human Development

School of Educational Studies and Human Development

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Education)

The Honours programme is designed for students who have completed their BA degree in Education and want a further year of specialised study. A valuable postgraduate degree in its own right, the BA(Hons) also assists students to develop their research skills in preparation for embarking on thesis work for a MA or PhD.

Enrolling in the degree

Students who want to enrol in the Education Honours programme should first read the BA(Hons) regulations in The University of Canterbury Calendar. They should then make an appointment to see Dr David Small to discuss:

  • Their eligibility for the Honours programme
  • Their interest in particular courses and research topics
  • The appropriateness of these courses for future study or employment.
Ideally this should be done at the end of the year prior to studying the BA(Hons), to allow sufficient time to submit a pre-enrolment form by the due date.

Criteria for Admission

The Head of the School of Educational Studies and Human Development makes recommendations to the Academic Board on the acceptability of candidates for the BA(Hons). Recommendations are based on the following criteria:

  1. Undergraduate record
    Students are normally expected to have completed 56 points (two courses) at the 300 level in Education and to have an average grade of B or better in these courses. There is provision for students without such a record to undertake a qualifying course as prescribed by the Head of School.
  2. Capacity to benefit from the programme
    Students need to gain approval for their selected courses from the Head of School.

Classes of Honours

BA(Hons) degrees are awarded according to the following university guidelines: First Class Honours, Second Class Honours, and Third Class Honours. Second Class Honours are awarded in two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. Grade averages are calculated over a student’s performance in the four courses of the Honours programme.

Length of the degree

The course of study is typically one year full-time. Part-time enrolment is permitted provided that the course of study is completed within four calendar years from first enrolment.

Entry to the Counselling Programme

Students who are interested in applying for entry to the Counselling Programme should refer to the section
“Entry to the MEd Degree with Certificate in Counselling” in the Handbook. BA(Hons) students who have successfully completed EDUC461 (Counselling and Psychology: Theory and Skills) are eligible to apply for entry to the MEd with Certificate in Counselling. For more information contact Dr Neil Rodgers or ww.hsci.canterbury.ac.nz/study/counselling.shtml

Entry to the Child and Family Psychology Programme

BA(Hons) students who have successfully completed 44 points (two courses) in Psychology at the 200 level or higher and the courses EDUC416 (Applied Developmental and Paediatric Psychology), EDUC412 (Disorders of Childhood), EDUC421 (Introduction to Interventions), and EDUC461 (Counselling and Psychology: Theory and Skills) are eligible to apply for entry to the MEd and PGDip in Child and Family Psychology.
For more information contact Dr Karyn France or
www.hsci.canterbury.ac.nz/study/chfampsyc.shtml

BA(Hons) Schedule

The Honours degree consists of four courses; one compulsory and three optional.

Compulsory courses:

EDUC480 Research project.
A supervised research project on a topic chosen by the student. Students are required to consult BA (Hons) Coordinator, Dr David Small, in selecting supervisors and topics.

Some students may also be required to take two of the following 15 point research methods courses:

Semester One:

EDEM693

Introduction to Methodologies and Ethics in Educational Research

EDEM694

Between Groups Experimentation in Education

EDEM697

Qualitative Research in Education

Semester Two:

EDEM695

Single Case Experimentation in Education

EDEM696

Educational Evaluation Research Methods

EDEM698

Emergent Research Methodologies (Distance)

 

Optional Courses:
Semester One:

EDUC402/EDEM644

Contemporary Issues in Education: Socio-cultural perspectives

EDUC417/EDEM647

Globalization Education and Development

 

Semester Two:

EDUC414/EDEM650

Education Philosophy and Policy

EDEM611

Contemporary Issues in Curriculum and Diversity

 

Whole Year:

EDUC412/EDEM661

Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

EDUC416/EDEM662

Childhood Development Research, Contexts and Applications

EDUC418

Independent Study

EDUC421/EDEM663

Introduction to Interventions

EDUC461/EDEM664

Counselling and Psychology: Theories and Skills

EDEM614

Assessment for Learning

 

Students may also take up to two courses from the MEd or other schedules, with approval of the Head of School of Educational Studies and Human Development.

More Information

For more information email education@canterbury.ac.nz or phone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).