Master's Programme in Outdoor and Sustainability Education, 60 credits

Introduction

The programme train students to use environments outside the traditional classroom for teaching and learning. The programme strives to have a good balance between theoretical depth and practical professional skills. A point of departure for teaching and learning is the natural and cultural landscape. Those experiences are aligned to contemporary research through lectures and seminars. Outdoor education is related to environmental and sustainability education and to disciplinary teaching in different subjects.

Purpose

The aim is that students shall develop a scientific foundation for a qualified professional work with a focus on outdoor education and environmental and sustainability education. The programme aims at develop professional competence and knowledge in the above areas. The programme shall enable foundation for development of scientific and practical competence. The programme will also prepare the students for future doctoral studies and research.

Aim

The student shall show

Knowledge and understanding

·  knowledge and understanding in the fields of outdoor education and environmental and sustainability education

·  deepened insight into contemporary research and professional work in the fields of outdoor education and environmental and sustainability education

·  deepened methodological knowledge in educational sciences

Skills and abilities

·  ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge in both theory and practice, and analyze, evaluate and handle complex questions and situations

·  skills to use the natural and cultural landscape as a resource in one owns profession

·  ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate research questions, plan and with adequate methods conduct qualified tasks within given time frames and thereby contribute to development of knowledge and to evaluate this work

·  ability to orally and in written form clearly account for and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that behinds them in dialogue with different groups

·  skills that are required for participating in research and development work or independently participate in pedagogical activities and relate to international research

Ability to evaluate and approach

·      ability to within the discipline make judgments in accordance to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects and show awareness of ethical aspects on research and development work

·      insight of potentials and barriers of science, it’s role in society and human responsibility for how science is used

·      ability to identify requirement of additional knowledge and to take responsibility for further development of knowledge

The above goals are concretized in the course syllabuses

Content

The programme is divided in four courses. One course focus on environmental and sustainability education and how the natural and cultural landscape can be a significant component. One course deals with outdoor teaching and learning in relation to thematic and disciplinary teaching. At the end of the programme the students write a thesis and one course aims to prepare them for this work through its content of theory of science and research methodology. The thesis course ends the programme.

Teaching and working methods

Outdoor environment is partly used as learning environments throughout the year. The students are therefore required to be equipped appropriate concerning shoes and clothing. There are some additional costs for travel and fees but not this will not exceed 3000 SEK. Student centred teaching when students work in smaller groups are a frequently practiced. Other modes of teaching are field work, lectures and literature seminars. Examination is often through an individual written assignment. 

Entry requirements

• A Teacher or Pre-school Teacher Degree of at least 180 ECTS credits 
  or 
  Bachelor's Degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, with a major in Education or the equivalent. 
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Degree thesis

To complete a master’s degree, the students need to write a thesis (15 ECTS credits) within the research field.

Degree requirements

To fulfill the requirements for a degree certificate the student need to accomplish course work of 60 ECTS credits, where of at least 30 ETCS credits within the field of the programme. In addition, there is a requirement of a bachelor’s exam of at least 180 ACTS credits or an equivalent international exam. 

Degree in Swedish

Magisterexamen med huvudområde Didaktik - inriktning mot utomhuspedagogik

Degree in English

Degree of Master (60 credits) with a major in Didactics - specialisation with an emphasis in Outdoor Education

Specific information

Deviations from programme syllabus.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this programme syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.