Masters Degrees in Education, Netherlands

In the master programme in Education and Child Studies students can choose a specialisation in one of the sub disciplines of Education and Child Studies. All specialisations prioritize the students’ academic education.

The master programme in Education and Child Studies is an academic programme that focuses on the link between theory, research and practice. Students are taught to seek evidence based solutions to problems occurring in child rearing and education. Students choose a specialisation from the start. All specialisations have one course in common, a course on the practice of empirical research. The rest of the year is spent deepening the students’ scientific knowledge in the field of their choice, doing an internship and completing a master’s project in which students carry out their own research and prepare a written report of their research project.

Specialisations

• Learning Problems and Impairments (MSc)
• Special Needs Children in Education (MSc)
• Applied Neuroscience in Human Development (MSc)
• Child and Family Science (MSc)
• Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies (MSc)
• Digital Media in Human Development (MSc)
• Educational Science (MSc)
• Forensic Family Science (MSc)

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Looking beyond the accepted views and protocols on giftedness.
For a long time we believed that smart children would make it on their own. But that’s a misconception. They can rapidly adapt to expectations and their peers, covering up their giftedness. And as a result, their talent is lost and a learning or behavioural disability could even arise. Therefore, there’s plenty for remedial educationalists to do!
Giftedness is more than IQ. Physical, musical, social and creative abilities are also involved. You will study how personal characteristics – like motivation and performance anxiety – abilities, and surroundings influence each other. You will learn how to identify the needs of a gifted pupil. You will test your gut feeling with research results. You will be critical of both your field and your own talents and talent development. You will investigate the conflict between stimulating talent and being fearful of doing so. Do we want people to excel? Do we dare to want it?
This programme will challenge you to look beyond the accepted views on giftedness. To look beyond protocols. And beyond the Netherlands. This international Master’s specialisation will train you to be a scientist practitioner. After completion you will be able say that you’re an expert in gifted education. With your knowledge and skills, you will able to work as a remedial educationalist, educational advisor, policy maker, or researcher at schools, school advisory services, (governmental) organisations and research centres.

See website http://www.ru.nl/masters/giftededucation

Why study Gifted Education at Radboud University?

- The Master’s specialisation in Gifted Education at Radboud University is the only Master’s specialisation in the Netherlands that focuses on giftedness.
- The programme works closely with the Centre for the Study of Giftedness (CBO), the only academic research institute that focuses on giftedness. Lianne Hoogeveen, head of the institute and developmental psychologist, is one of the lecturers within this specialisation. She regularly has contact with clients and uses real-life experiences as examples in her lectures.
- The expertise of the research group ensures there is a good relationship with schools, organisations and, for example, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. For you, this offers interesting internships, real-life case studies, relevant thesis subjects and invaluable contacts in and outside the Netherlands.
- This programme is partially or completely (depending on the choosen track) in English. Giftedness affects a relatively small group of children and it’s therefore important to see what’s happening outside of the Netherlands. An international programme as this one is ideally suited for this. Incidently, you will proof that you have a thorough command of English.

Change perspective

Do you accept excellence? From both yourself and others? What is giftedness in all its facets? After completing this specialisation you will look at talent and talent development differently. You will not only have gained new knowledge but also new insights. You will dare to view things differently. And to be different.

Career prospects

Fitting educational programmes is the new standard: there are less special needs programmes and mainstream schools must accommodate students with learning disabilities themselves. This also includes gifted pupils. This means that schools are judged on what they do with these kids. Schools need help from experts. Upon completion of your studies, you will be that expert!
Awareness is growing that we need to deal with giftedness differently. Smart children will not simply make it on their own. They need special support. Just as remedial educationalists are needed for dyslexic children, they are also needed for gifted children, to make sure these pupils get the help and support they need in the classroom. And to make sure that their talents aren’t wasted.

Job positions

With this Master’s specialisation you’ll be able to work as an remedial educationalist, educational advisor, policy maker, researcher or teacher. You can use your expertise for school consultancy at a particular school or a group of schools such as schools for gifted pupils, Leonard Schools but also regular schools that pay attention to gifted pupils. You will also be able to work for research centres, like the Center for the Study of Giftedness (CBO), the SLO, Netherlands Institute for Curriculum Development, KPC Groep and the Centre for Creative Learning.

Career orientation programme

The expertise of the research group ensures there is a good relationship with schools, organisations and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. When, for example, the ministry wants to know more about giftedness, they ask the Center for the Study of Giftedness (CBO) in Nijmegen. Practical questions often lead to research proposals for theses or interesting internships. That way, you’ll be able to get invaluable contacts and make a name for yourself in this field.

Our approach to this field

Excellence is a topical issue. International studies (like the PISA Studies) have shown that the Netherlands deals well with lower scoring students: the country is in the top five. But in comparison, the country does not deal well with children that score above average. Gifted children do not get the education they need and that means that a lot of talent is wasted. The government is encouraging schools to offer gifted children a fitting programme. To be able to do this, schools need help from experts. Upon completion of your studies, you will be that expert!

When you complete this Master’s specialisation, you’ll be able to analyse and investigate problems regarding giftedness and come up with suitable solutions. You will gain the following skills and knowledge during this programme:
- You will gain insight into the characteristics and problems of pupils and students in general and of gifted children, teenagers and young adults in particular.
- You will study research on gifted education and will work with case studies about gifted pupils.
- You will improve your research skills and will learn about the diagnostic and treatment of problems regarding giftedness.
- You will learn how to apply the theoretical knowledge in specific educational situations with gifted children or adolescents.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/giftededucation

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Youth, Education and Society

In our overscheduled society is there still enough time for childrearing? How is childrearing changing through the use of social media? How are young people (de)radicalised? What leads to game addiction and inactivity in our society? What do children need to find their own solutions to bullying at school? How does childrearing support fit into non-Western communities? How should suitable education be organised? How should the new frameworks for youth care in the Netherlands be structured? What can we learn from foreign approaches to education and youth services?

Do you want to make a contribution to contemporary social challenges involving the relationship between children and youth and their guardians/educators? Do you want to help draft new policies that can improve the position, welfare and development of children, youth and their parents? Are you interested in making international comparisons? Youth, Education and Society (Dutch: Maatschappelijke opvoedingsvraagstukken) is the only Master's programme in the Netherlands that specifically focuses on innovating pedagogical policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.

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The aim of the research master’s programme Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies is to promote the scientific development of young academics on the path to becoming independent researchers within education and child studies and related disciplines.

Graduates are able to design, conduct and evaluate applied scientific research, and in doing this can make the link between (clinical) practice and science.

The programme Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies is designed in such a way that it can explicitly serve as preparatory training for a PhD position. The programme also offers the opportunity to specialise in the field of social work and youth care, which meets society’s need for academics who are trained in evidence based clinical assessment and treatment for children and families with psychological problems

The research master is a small scale programme, with an average of fifteen students each year. This guarantees intensive interaction between students and staff.

At the beginning of the programme, you are allocated a supervisor – one of the professors – and a day-to-day mentor. While writing your thesis, you make a contribution to one of our research programmes, working closely with your supervisor and mentor within that research. This gives you the opportunity to both observe how the work is done and to ‘learn by doing’. You also receive immediate and intensive feedback on your research performance and academic progress.

Rommert Casimir Studio

The research master’s students have a room of their own: the Rommert Casimir Studio, equipped with PC workstations. This room is used intensively, not only for working individually on assignments, but also for working together with other students and engaging in discussions.

Ambulatorium for family assistance

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences is the location of the Ambulatorium, which offers families assistance with all kinds of problems relating to parenting and child development. Research master’s students who do their research internship in the Ambulatorium can, if they wish, obtain the NVO Registratie Basis-Orthopedagoog and the NVO Registratie Basisaantekening Diagnostiek and also conduct research in clinical practice.

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Science Education and Communication

If you are broadly interested in science, and feel an urge to understand the social significance of your field of expertise, then it is worth looking at the details of this programme.

Specializations
After a joint first semester, you will specialize in one of the programme tracks:
-Teacher Degree (in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science)
-Research and Development in Science Education and Communication

If you want to obtain a teacher degree, your internship will be at school. For other students, the internship could also be in informal educational settings, such as a science museum.

As a graduate of this programme, your job perspectives may include science and mathematics teacher, educational researcher, staff member at a science museum, or communication adviser at a public health institution. There is a strong need in society for such professionals who can bridge the gap between science and the public, both in formal education, and in informal settings.

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How can we use research evidence to inform educational practice? What factors at the macro, meso and micro levels of the educational system determine the success of educational interventions?

The Master's track 'Evidence-Based Education' aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of how educational research can contribute to the development of effective educational innovations and to the improvement of the quality of education. We strive for education that promotes the academic, meta-cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes of all students, regardless of their background characteristics and learning abilities. Stable educational improvement can only occur if there is a solid knowledge base to feed educational practice, from macro (e.g., policy), meso (e.g., school organization) to micro levels (e.g., classroom processes). Bridging the gap between research and educational practice requires graduates that can understand, assess and generate solid evidence, and can translate these insights into educational initiatives that are fully responsive to the societal issues and contexts in which they are embedded.

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In education there are a number of different interests to be considered: the interests of the children, their parents, the groups to which they belong (e.g. religious or ethnic minorities), and the interests of society.

These interests are often difficult to define and they can often be at odds with each other. How do we establish what is the best practice or policy? How do we assess and attune conflicting interests or claims? How do we decide in the case of strong differences of opinion and perception?

Educational professionals need to have the competences to analyse and discuss moral, legal and policy-related issues. Some of them need to be extra-proficient in this area in order to be able to advise other professionals, managers, policy makers, politicians, and governments. The Ethics of Education Master's course provides the right learning environment to enable you to develop this extra expertise. You will acquire the relevant competences and learn to apply these in the professional contexts of research, policy making and consultancy.

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Clinical Child, Family and Education Studies

This Master's programme will train you to become a competent professional so you are able to analyse and influence problematic childrearing situations and it will enable you to contribute to the innovation of pedagogic care systems.

Childrearing is not always easy. The Master's programme in Orthopedagogy emphasises the childrearing needs of children, youth and parents. As a remedial educationalist, you can diagnose, treat and help prevent childrearing and development problems at home and/or in an institution. Moreover, you can contribute to the innovation of pedagogic care systems.

Tracks

We offer you a programme with two specialisations:
-Orthopedagogical Care for Children, Youth and Parents (direct client contact)
-Orthopedagogical Systems & Innovation (indirect client contact)

In the programme you will learn to research practical questions from an orthopedagogical viewpoint. This will enable you to help families and their surrounding networks (schools, neighbourhood teams, etc.). The Master's programme fulfils the requirements of the Dutch (Professional) Association of Educationalists (NVO) for registration as a general remedial educationalist. Following completion of the programme you can register as a general remedial educationalist and work as a behavioural scientist in various institutions for orthopedagogical care and childrearing issues.

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The Master’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences has two English and five Dutch specialisations, each aimed at a certain development domain. Your programme will consist of a few general subjects and two courses that are specifically geared to your specialisation of choice. Coaching is an important part of the programme. The coaching skills you learn can be used in a profession where the role of remedial educationalists is becoming more and more important.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/pedagogicalsciences

Why study Pedagogical Sciences at Radboud University?

- In 2014, the programme was named the best Master’s programme within this field by the Keuzegids Masters.

- You’ve got some freedom when picking your courses. You choose one of seven Master’s specialisations and can still take (additional) courses belonging to other specialisations. The schedule is geared to this: electives are never taught simultaneously.

- Teaching takes place in small groups allowing for plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

- Upon completing your programme, you have a broad pedagogical basis and are specialised in a certain field.

- You will be trained according to the scientist-practitioner model. This means that you will navigate between science and practice. Your actions in the field are based on academic theories and in turn you’ll test your experiences in the field to the same theories. Your teachers, all experts in their field, will help you make the link between application and research.

- In most instances, when you’ve completed your Master’s programme in Pedagogical Sciences you will also receive a diagnostic certification. This will allow you to further develop in the clinical professional within the Netherlands.

Specialisations in Pedagogical Sciences

Read more about the specialisations in Pedagogical Sciences, including comprehensive information on our approach to this field, the programme outline and career prospects. Two are offered in English and the rest are taught in Dutch.

- Diversities in Youth Care
The specialisation Diversities in Youth Care challenges you to look at care giving and welfare policies differently. You will gain specific knowledge and develop a sixth sense on the health care needs of young people.

- Gifted Education
You will learn how to identify the needs of a gifted pupil. Giftedness is more than IQ. You will study how personal characteristic abilities, and surroundings influence each other. You will investigate the conflict between stimulating talent and being fearful of doing so.

Specialisaton 1: Diversities in Youth Care

The specialisation Diversities in Youth Care challenges you to look at care giving and welfare policies differently. You will gain specific knowledge and develop a sixth sense on the health care needs of young people.
In this programme you can focus on policy, research and/or counseling. Moreover you can choose a specific target group or theme (e.g. ethnic minorities, sex, sexuality) and follow courses like ‘Gender and Diversities in Organizations', 'Poverty, Wellbeing and Social Justice', 'Migratie en Interreligieuze Studies', 'Feminist Classics', and ‘Community Outreach Project'. You are encouraged to match both the practical training and the writing of your master thesis with the subject of your interest. We will facilitate your practical training abroad in the spring semester.

Specialisation 2: Gifted Education

You will learn how to identify the needs of a gifted pupil. Giftedness is more than IQ. You will study how personal characteristic abilities, and surroundings influence each other. You will investigate the conflict between stimulating talent and being fearful of doing so.
In lectures and study groups (one of which will be in a university abroad) about learning processes and learning environment, the Master's student will gain insights in the specific characteristics and problems of students in general and gifted children, adolescents and young adults in particular. In the course ‘Educating the Gifted' you will focus on specific research and practices concerning gifted education and work on practical cases of individuals and/or groups of gifted students.
You will improve your academic research skills and learn about diagnostics and treatment of problems related to giftedness, and you will learn to apply this theoretical knowledge within a specific educational situation with gifted students. After completing the program students will be able to recognise, analyse and investigate problems concerning giftedness and be able to contribute in the solution of these problems.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/pedagogicalsciences

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The Master's degree in Communication and Deafblindness is a unique programme during which you acquire theoretical and methodological skills. These skills will enable you to analyse communication in situations that are specific to the field of deafblindness. You will learn to apply this knowledge in the contexts of research and intervention. The programme is especially interesting for those who are already working as professionals and who would like to expand their basic knowledge and research skills.

The programme starts with the course Introduction to Communication with people with Deafblindness. In this course, you will learn about fundamental communicative processes, including topics like early symbolic communication and narratives and the role of gestures in communication and thinking.

After the introductory course, students receive coaching in methodology. You will also perform a practical training and write a learner's report. In addition, you will carry out research and write a Master's thesis.

Degree: MSc in Pedagogical Sciences

Why in Groningen?

- Only programme in the world focussing on communication with people who are deafblind, for 2013-2014 also acquired deafblindness
- Aims at providing deafblind and hearing sighted persons with tools that help them communicate
- Tools acquired in this programme are also applicable to other people with disabilities

Job perspectives

After graduation, you have the knowledge and skills needed to work in the field of education related to deafblindness. This programme gives you a good basis for consultancy work in education and for further research.

Research Centre on Profound and Multiple Disabilities

The Master programme Educational Sciences: Communication and Deafblindness is linked to the Research Centre on Profound and Multiple Disabilities.

Field of research

- domains for research are concentrated on the topic of communication with people with deafblindness
- research is also conducted in the field of people who are deafblind and have additional disabilities, or in the field of people with sensory and multiple disabilities
- research lines are: meaning-creation, tactile communication, assessment, communication and transition to a cultural language

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Educational Sciences: Learning in Interaction

This Master addresses the theory, use and effects of innovative educational developments aimed at making learning more meaningful and enjoyable.

We never learn alone

We always learn by interacting with someone or something: For example, with more knowledgeable others (teachers or more advanced fellow students), equally knowledgeable others (peers or in teams), or with artefacts (the environment around us, books or computers). If you're interested in learning about and carrying out high-quality research into these interactions so that you can make a real difference to learning, teaching and instruction, then this is the programme for you.

The two-year programme concentrates on the theory, use and effects of innovative teaching and learning arrangements aimed at meaningful, enjoyable learning through the application of different theories, paradigms and media. Research projects use both experimental and design-based approaches and combine qualitative and quantitative analyses.

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In the Research Master's track in Tax Economics you learn valuable knowledge in economic-based fundamental theories of taxation, behavioral theories, principles of accounting and empirical methods and their statistical foundation. Besides, the program equips you with the necessary skills to conduct top level research, such as the use of econometric software and write any piece of academic work. With your understanding on how tax and economic considerations relate, you are optimally prepared for a career in academia or business.

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At first sight, the arts and sciences appear to be worlds apart. While sciences draw on strict procedures, the arts seem to be exempted from such rules. Yet both practices are governed by conventions - such as a consistent focus on innovation - that help to explain their cultural impact.

Moreover, the arts, science and technology mix and mingle in interesting ways. The arts provide scientists with metaphors to describe their work. The sciences are objects of cultural critique in the arts. The arts continuously incorporate new technologies. And both the arts and sciences “imagine” our culture’s future. That is why it is so important to study the contributions of the arts, science and technology to modern culture. And it is why we study all of these in one programme. CAST has roots in the internationally known field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and is at the same time uniquely embedded in empirical cultural research.

Perfect preparation for a research position

The Research Master in Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology is a selective, intense, and highly reputed programme. The programme is designed to give you the best possible preparation for a professional research position. During your master’s, you will therefore not only study theories from history, sociology, philosophy, the arts and the qualitative social sciences, but you will also follow a number of courses that specifically focus on research methods such as qualitative interviewing, conceptual analysis, archival research, ethnographic observations and rhetorical, narrative and discourse analysis. Most importantly, you will actually learn to work with these methods by writing review papers, research papers and proposals. You will work closely with faculty research staff on their projects and gain a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at how academic research is actually done.

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The research-intensive master’s in European Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that combines political science and international relations with history and sociology. Research plays a primary role from the outset, with research projects integrated into each core module. You will gain in-depth training in methods such as quantitative and qualitative techniques, comparative methods and discourse analysis. You will also develop skills in designing research, writing research proposals, publishing your work and applying for funding and research positions. For the elective component, you can choose to take specialised courses, complete a research internship or do an exchange abroad. The master’s programme culminates with a thesis and the development of a PhD research proposal.

In this programme, you will:
- Learn to critically analyse and discuss challenges facing the EU
- Gain experience working in a multidisciplinary, international academic environment
- Receive in-depth training in conducting high-quality research
- Focus on designing, implementing and publishing your own research

A future in research

The overall objective of this programme is to equip graduates for high-level research careers in and outside academia. Thanks to the networks and activities of the research staff at Maastricht University, you will enjoy unique access to researchers at other universities, policymakers at EU institutions and member state administrations, Brussels-based interest groups, think tanks and other actors. Students in this programme also take active part in the Politics and Culture in Europe research programme, which is one of the largest research groups in European Studies.

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