Education and Child Studies (Research)

Education and Child Studies (Research)

Welcome to the Master’s Degree Programme Education and Child Studies (Research). The Research Master’s programme of Education and Child Studies has a central focus on the societal impact of scientific research. By following this programme, you will become a researcher who combines methodological quality with a profound knowledge of practice; you will become a qualified scientist who can autonomously, and as part of a team, conduct academic research that is relevant not only to current international academic debates, but also to the professional field of clinical practice, youth care, and education.

You will learn to take the perspective of the academic researcher as well as that of the pedagogical professional and will therefore be able to connect both perspectives. The scientific training we provide goes beyond specific skills to design and conduct research projects. We will also teach you more generally, to take part in the international scientific debate. This includes ethics training, presenting your own research (in writing as well as orally), critically evaluating research papers, and writing grant proposals. This all takes place in the current scientific context; this means, for instance, that we will introduce recent developments, such as pre-registration policies and the open-science perspective.

The programme offers you the possibility to specialise in Education and Child Studies research, and graduate with a professional qualification that allows for further advancement in that field. This provides you with a solid preparation and a unique profile for the job market. You will be prepared for a PhD position at a Dutch or foreign university. Alternatively, you may aim for a position as a researcher in the public or private sector, for which advanced research skills and substantial practical research experience are required. Given the possibility to qualify for a professional registration during the programme, you may also pursue a career as a scientist-practitioner in the clinical, educational, or developmental field, to which you will bring a well-developed scientific perspective.

The programme takes two years. Upon completion graduates will possess the knowledge, skills and attitude listed below under Achievement levels. In each course description you will find which achievement levels are trained.

Achievement levels

Graduates of the programme have attained the following learning outcomes, listed according to the Dublin descriptors:

1. Knowledge and understanding

A graduate of the Research Master’s programme has profound, state of the art knowledge and understanding of:

1.1 the fundamentals of designing research;

1.2 research methodology;

1.3 the fundamentals of project management;

1.4 ethics of social and behavioural research;

1.5 the various theories, concepts, and methods which are commonly used in one or more of the research programmes that are central to this research master;

1.6 the practice of prevention, intervention, diagnostics, and/or treatment in the field of Education and Child Studies, based on practical experience;

1.7 the role and social relevance of parenting, education and learning for children’s and adolescents' development and social participation;

1.8 the relation between the academic and professional field.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

A graduate of the Research Master’s programme has:

2.1 the ability to, with minimal guidance, formulate, perform and assess scientific research at a level suitable for scientific publication;

2.2 the ability to describe ethical considerations when designing research;

2.3 the capacity to translate scientific knowledge and insights into evidence-based interventions in clinical and non-clinical contexts;

2.4 the capacity to apply various theoretical frameworks in conducting research in the field of Education and Child Studies;

2.5 the ability to critically select, study and analyse literature relevant to issues and problems presented in the curriculum and the connected research programmes.

3. Judgement

A graduate of the Research Master’s programme

3.1 has the capacity to identify a theoretical framework suitable for addressing relevant problems and issues related to Education and Child Studies;

3.2 is trained in professional conduct according to the NVO- (Association of Educationalists in the Netherlands) professional code;

3.3 has the capacity to discuss ethical implications of social research;

3.4 has the capacity to distinguish between fundamental and applied scientific research.

4. Communication

A graduate of the Research Master’s programme has:

4.1 the capacity to report independently about research;

4.2 the ability to present research results in English, both in written and in oral form;

4.3 the ability to engage in the international academic debate;

4.4 the capacity to communicate about the social relevance of research;

4.5 the ability to participate in teamwork, with a constructive and responsible attitude, and reflecting on personal functioning in the team.

5. Learning Skills

A graduate of the Research Master’s programme:

5.1 has the capacity to independently acquire new knowledge and skills relevant in a professional context or PhD- programme;

5.2 has the capacity to reflect on his/her own learning process;

5.3 (if eligible for professional registration based on previous education) can opt for the NVO registration Basis Orthopedagoog or Basis Pedagoog.

Please refer to our website for the complete Course and Examination Regulations 2024-2025 and for the Rules and Regulations 2024-2025.

Registration for courses and exams

Education

Students must register themselves for all course components (lectures, tutorials and practicals) they wish to follow. You can register via My Studymap up to 5 days prior to the start of the course.

Exams

It is mandatory for all students to register for each exam for each exam in My Studymap. This is possible up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the examination. You cannot take an exam without a valid registration in My Studymap.

NB If the exam concerns a paper or a practical assignment, you do not need to register in My Studymap.

Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.

Timetable

For the timetable of all courses please refer to MyTimetable.