Professional Practice

The Master's programme is flexible, and enables individuals to choose from a variety of modules to suit their working circumstances and professional practice.

It will enable depth of understanding and knowledge in areas of practice with which they are already familiar, and develop new areas of practice if required. Individuals will also engage with, and learn about, research methods, either as a taught module or as online learning. This will lead into the Dissertation, in which an extended research project culminating in a substantial thesis will be completed.

As this is a flexible Master's programme your options will vary according to full-time or part-time study, and also be influenced by any APL credits you may be granted. Typically, in each trimester, you'll have a choice of modules to choose from.

You are advised to make your module choice decision following a consultation with the Award Leader to ensure a "best fit" for your professional focus and areas of interest. Students typically take a Research Methods module just prior to doing the Dissertation, which is completed as the final module for the MA.

This course includes or offers the following modules. Please check the programme document for more information on which modules are core, required or optional.

• Independent Study 
• Independent Study 60 credits
• Work based Action Enquiry
• SEN and Inclusion: Autism Spectrum
• Education and Society
• Research Methods in Social Science
• Research and the Professional Part 1
• Research and the Professional Part 2
• Dissertation
• Leadership and Practice
• Perspectives of Play and Creativity
• Contemporary Issues in Inclusive Education

There are no written exams and each module is assessed by coursework. Sometimes assessment is by verbal presentation.

The way you’ll study will depend on the route you take through the Master's programme. In most instances, you’ll benefit from face-to-face time with a university tutor as well as undertaking personal study. This may include reading, researching literature and undertaking practical research in your work context.

We’ll also use our Virtual Learning Environment, Ultra, to provide you with online materials.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Many of our graduates seek new career paths to educational management, training, or in related fields. Some wish to continue their expertise in their professional practice and gain a broader and deeper view of education. Others wish to take their studies further – to PhD level – and seek employment in an academic institution.

If you're not ready for a full Master's, you can develop your interests and deepen your understanding by studying part-time for a Postgraduate Certificate.

A Postgraduate Certificate is 60 credits; you'll do two 30 credit modules and graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice. On successful completion, you'll have the option to continue your studies to gain a full MA Professional Practice.

Apply now or for more details, contact Róisín Ní Mhocháin: r.nimhochain@bathspa.ac.uk.

The award is taught at our Newton Park campus.

You'll have access to Bath Spa University's:

• Computing and IT facilities
• Library
• Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Writing and Learning Centre
• English Language Unit.

In the UK, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to work with children and vulnerable adults. All course participants will need to complete the necessary paperwork before starting their placement for the programme. There is an additional fee required for this process.