MSc in Ethics of Education: Philosophy, History and Law
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €17,800
Introduction
Many of the issues involved in social and professional discussions on youth and education require an interdisciplinary approach. But why and how does this approach work?
In education, upbringing, and youth care there are a number of different interests to consider. These interests, of the children, their parents, the groups to which they belong (e.g. religious or ethnic minorities), and the interests of society are often difficult to define and they can often be at odds with each other.
Educational professionals need to have the competencies to analyze and discuss moral, legal, and policy-related issues. Some of them need to be extra-proficient in this area in order to be able to advise other professionals, managers, policymakers, politicians, and governments. The Ethics of Education Master's course provides the right learning environment to enable you to develop this extra expertise. You will acquire the relevant competencies and learn to apply these in the professional contexts of research, policymaking, and consultancy.
In the Master track Ethics of Education, you learn to analyze moral issues and discussions in order to design policies and procedures and to take decisions. Three examples:
- Homosexuality and education
- Circumcision
- Rather be Deaf
Why study this program in Groningen?
According to our students: "Different disciplines are crossed in the lectures, internship and/or master's thesis: history, children's rights and philosophy." "You will learn to understand complex ethical issues in upbringing, education, and youth care and to write concrete advice for professional practices."
- Our master is provided by experts from Educational Sciences sections 'Philosophy and History' and 'Children's Rights';
- Courses, subjects of the research projects, and the internships are closely related to the research and expertise of our teaching staff;
- Guest lecturers from the academic world and the professional field discuss current themes in the field of education and youth;
- Students choose whether to write their master's thesis in Dutch or English.
Curriculum
In the course catalog, scroll down for the overview of the courses of this master, click on a course for more information about the content, the learning objective, language, teacher.
The program consists of three lines:
- In the thematic line, you explore four domains in the courses:
- Ethics - introduces you to theories on ethics and moral issues.
- Children's rights - the best interests of the child must be paramount. But how do we determine what is in the best interest of the child?
- Development of citizenship - There is much controversy over the nature of good citizenship and how education and training can contribute to its development.
- Professionalization - scientification and professionalization influence working methods in education, in child and youth care, and impact how children and youth are perceived and treated.
- In the professionalization line, you practice your professional skills and get acquainted with the practice.
- Domain-Specific Skills - prepares you to work successfully as an academic professional in a wide range of educational institutions, youth care, and organizations.
- Internship - familiarises you with the demands placed on professionals, introduces you to the professional field to which they apply their knowledge and understanding.
- In the Research line you do research:
- Master thesis - During your master thesis you learn to do research. Types of research besides empirical research are for instance: analysis of documents, case studies or video material, literature review, theoretical research (ethical, legal, philosophical), discourse analysis, historical research.
Study abroad
- Study abroad is optional
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
The master track will prepare you for jobs at institutions and media in the field of education, training, child care, and child and youth welfare work. Two domains of jobs can be distinguished: Teaching & Training and Policy and Consultancy. Teaching & Training includes for example teaching at schools for higher professional education (HBO), but also schooling and training at institutions and companies. Policy & Consultancy includes consultative jobs, policy-making and communication, and the theoretical underpinning and support of educational responsibilities both from private and governmental organizations.
Of course, the master's track also prepares you to do academic research. You will be trained in academic reading, designing research, assessing scientific publications, and academic writing.
Students will be familiarized with the educational field, career options, and career perspectives. They will practice professional skills, such as writing consultancy reports and policy decisions, teaching, and training. The internship and the course Professional Skills are important parts of the master track.
Kinds of institutions where jobs can be found:
- Public education associations
- Advisory councils for education
- Associations of universities
- Governmental/state organizations
- Child Welfare Council
- Schools advisory services
- Schools for higher professional education
- Trades unions for education
- UNICEF
- EU
- OECD
- UNESCO
- Educational organizations
- Research institutions (such as the SCP)
- Youth policy organizations (such as the NJI)
- Centers for social development
- Youth welfare councils
- Scientific councils for government policy
- Child care organizations
- Knowledge centers about education