MA in Character Education
The MA Character Education is a three-year part-time distance learning MA and the first of its kind to focus on character education and the theory and practice of human flourishing. The course adopts a broad understanding of character – encompassing aspects of wellbeing, ethics, citizenship and social and emotional education.
The MA programme is taught by expert members of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues and gives students across the globe access to the latest research on character education. It equips them with the tools to enable them to subsume it into their own practice. Studying at a distance means students can learn from anywhere, such as at home or in the workplace, in the UK or overseas. You can apply for a place here.
The MA Character Education is:
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- Multi-disciplinary: the MA Character Education includes content from the fields of the fields of education, philosophy, (positive) psychology, sociology, social sciences and theology
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- Flexible: students work at their own pace alongside existing commitments
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- Diverse: students come from multiple professions including teaching, medicine, psychology, the armed forces, business, and non-profits/charities
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- Practice focussed: the MA Character Education helps students play their part in transforming people, organisations and places
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- Collaborative: students work alongside and learn from peers from around the world
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- Supportive: throughout the MA Character Education students are provided with a dedicated personal tutor who supports their personal and academic development
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- Engaging: the MA Character Education utilises the latest technology to ensure an engaging and participatory online learning experience.
In exploring different aspects of character education, the Programme covers a range of topics. An outline of the core modules is provided within the drop down boxes below.
Further details of the programme and how to apply are available on the course page or in the programme brochure. To find out more please contact Michael Fullard on m.fullard@bham.ac.uk or +44 (0)121 414 4861.
Year One
Theories of Character, Virtue and Flourishing (20 credits)
This module examines the key theories of character, virtue and human flourishing. Within the module, students will consider various theories from the fields of psychology, philosophy and education. Students will consider how these theories impact their professional practice, in particular, how they inform planning, administration and policy. Throughout the module current problems and/or new insights in the field will be examined and critically debated.
Research Methods in Character Education (20 credits)
This module will introduce you to the research process and how it is applied within character education. You will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of research designs (e.g., qualitative versus quantitative) and tools for collecting data (e.g., interviews versus surveys), and how these have been used within character educational research. This module will enable you to correctly formulate your own research questions and identify research methods appropriate to answering those questions. In doing so, you will consider practical and ethical challenges, and how your research should be communicated to stakeholders for maximal impact.
The History and Politics of Character Education (20 credits)
This module examines how historical, political and religious ideas about character have shaped character education in the past and continue to shape character education today. Throughout the Module a comparative approach is taken, asking students to examine the history and politics of character education within their own and other contexts. The module encourages students to explore the interconnections between history, politics and religion in relation to character education and to develop an understanding of the benefits of, and issues with, comparative work and “policy borrowing” in the field of character education.
Year Two
Character Education Interventions in Schools and Organisations (20 credits)
This module looks at the practical application of character education. Within the module, students will examine how character education can be implemented in various educational settings, including schools and community organisations. Students will apply critical thinking to develop their own character education interventions aimed at enhancing the cultivation of character and virtues. Students will consider appropriate design methodology and evaluation strategies when developing an intervention.
The Virtuous Practitioner (20 credits)
This module is framed around a central question: what does it mean to be a virtuous practitioner? Within the module, students will consider the character virtues of professionals working in different education contexts. Students will consider moral dilemmas facing professionals, and professionals’ moral and civic responsibilities. Students will focus on models of reflection and consider how reflection and practical wisdom might be developed through training in professional contexts.
Character Education Leadership in Schools and Organisations (20 credits)
This module examines the role of leaders in developing character education in schools and other organisations. Within the module, students will consider various leadership theories and critically debate the character virtues of a “good” leader. Students will consider how leadership theories might underpin the leadership of character education within schools and organisations and will examine the challenges of leading character education programmes.
Year Three
Dissertation
In year three, students complete a dissertation (max. 15,000 words) on a topic of their choice related to a core theme covered within the modules.
