Educational Science (M.A.)
Features
In this research-oriented Master's degree programme, you will learn to analyse and reflect upon educational institutions, organisations and systems. You will become involved in the problems regarding their planning, controlling and development. In this way, you will gain the ability to carry out your own research in Education Science and make well-founded judgements of developments in education. The necessary expertise is provided by the Centre for Empirical Research in School and Education (ZeUS).
- Name:
- Educational Science
- Degree:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Options:
- Part-time studies
- Language of the programme:
- German
- Standard period of study:
- 4 semesters, up to seven semesters in part-time studies
- Start of studies:
- winter- and summer semester
- Admission:
- Restricted (Application to the Faculty)
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Educational Science

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Details
The research-oriented Master's degree programme Educational Science concentrates on educational questions and problems in their social context.
The students chose one of the following two study foci:
- Research on Education, Socialization and Professionalization
- School Research and Research on Teaching and Learning
The study focus “Research on Education, Socialization and Professionalization” concentrates on institutions and processes of education and socialization from childhood to adulthood as well as on the associated professionalization processes. The study focus offers the possibility to distinguish oneself in the field of general educational research in relation to different fields of action, institutions and organizations.
The study focus “School Research and Research on Teaching and Learning” addresses the school as an institution from a macro (school system), meso (school as an organization) and micro perspective (teaching and learning). The study focus allows a research-oriented setting of priorities on content and tasks of school, teaching and learning.
On the basis of a broad and in-depth knowledge, M.A. Educational Science graduates are able to develop and implement research projects independently and present the results in written and oral form.
Both study foci aim primarily at the qualification for research activities at universities and non-university research establishments or for activities closely related to research at government departments, educational administration and other establishments that have advisory, planning or controlling functions in the field of education. Besides for research activities at universities and research institutes closely related to universities, the Master's programme qualifies for working in private research establishments, foundations and regional research institutions with a focus on educational research or empirical educational research.
Furthermore, government departments, municipal administrations and other tiers of the public administrative sector with tasks in the educational system represent an occupational field. Further educational fields are national and international organisations that operate research-oriented quality assurance, evaluation, advancement as well as educational monitoring in the school system and university education or offer research-based consultative functions for processes of planning and development.
Pedagogical fields of action beyond school in the context of research- and data-based quality assuring and conceptual activities for larger providers, organisations and associations, for example, in adult education, different fields of social work and elementary education represent further occupational fields. Not least, international cooperation in the field of educational development and promotion represents an occupational field for graduates of the Master's programme Educational Science.
Related and consecutive/graduate programmes
Related programmes
Consecutive/graduate programmes
Structure
The Master's programme starts in the winter and summer semester. The standard period of study is four semesters. The programme is suited for part-time study.
The Master's programme comprises 120 credits as follows:
- 78 credits for the major (subject area)
- 12 credits for key competencies
- 30 credits for colloquium and master's thesis.
The 78 credits for the major are itemized as follows:
-
Foundations and overview of the study foci (26 credits)
Three mandatory modules ensure at the beginning of the studies a mutual basis in the field of scientific-theoretical and research-methodical foundations of educational science and offer an essential overview of the two study foci Research on Education, Socialization and Professionalization as well as School Research and Research on Teaching and Learning. This allows a well-informed election of the study focus.
-
Election and study of a study focus (30 credits)
In both modules of the respective study focus, the students initially (second semester) gain in-depth insights into current studies, theory debates and methodical approaches of their study focus and learn to compare and evaluate them as well as, with regards to their own research plans, to reflect and make use of them. In the centre of the third semester is an approximately eight-week research project that can be completed at the Institute for Educational Science.
- Research methods (compulsory/ optional compulsory: 22 credits) In addition to a compulsory module Educational Theory and Research Methods, the students choose approximately 14 credits of the module programme of the Center of Methods in Social Sciences. In doing so, the emphases can be put on qualitative as well as on quantitative research methods.
Regulations and module directory
Application
Previous studies
- B.A. degree in Educational Science or related subjects
- At least 150 ECTS at the time of application
- Eligibility:
- Proof of achievements in educational science of at least 60 C (incl. basic knowledge of empirical research methods of at least 8 C)
Language requirements
- If your native language is not German, you must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the German language at the DSH-2 level .
- Good to very good knowledge of English is strongly recommended.
Application deadlines
- Until May 15h for the winter semester
- Until November 15th for the summer semester
Lottery procedure
- From October 1st - 5th for the winter semester
- From April 1st – 5th for the summer semester
Contact
Academic Advising
Annegret Schallmann
Platz der Göttinger Sieben 3
37073 Göttingen
Phone: +49 551 39 27159
Fax: +49 551 39 26542