Master of Education in Educational Psychology
Investigate psychological explanations of learning and educational support.
About the course
Investigate psychological explanations of learning and educational support. You will critically examine research, evaluate educational interventions and undertake a focused study relevant to learners in Southern African settings.
What you'll learn
Compare psychological theories of learning and development.
Evaluate evidence supporting an educational intervention.
Identify ethical limits in assessment and interpretation.
Design a defensible educational research study.
Present findings with appropriate limitations and support recommendations.
Requirements
Entry requires a relevant degree with suitable advanced study or a postgraduate diploma, subject to BMIT assessment of research preparation and supervision. English Language is required.
African Kalanga is a compulsory graduation subject in every year of this programme. BMIT confirms the approved entry route, any recognition of prior learning and access to required practical facilities before enrolment.
Course Content
The complete subject sequence below moves from foundations to specialist application. Levels show learning progression. Practical work and the final project draw together the subjects studied.
2 learning levels 16 subjects
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Level 1: Foundations
Africa Indigenous Language: African Kalanga 101Compulsory graduation subject · Year 1
Develop African Kalanga through foundations for education, training and development. Practise with authentic tasks, feedback and reflection across the programme year.
Learning outcomes
- Use African Kalanga accurately for Year 1 study and practice.
- Explain language choices to the intended audience.
- Revise your work using speaker and facilitator feedback.
Main topics
- Pronunciation
- Everyday vocabulary
- Listening
- Reading and respectful introductions
Practical task
Record a short introduction and explain its meaning to a peer.
Assessment
Submit the practical work, a brief reflection and evidence of language review. Assessment checks meaning, audience fit and improvement after feedback.
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Identify a real need, study the people affected and develop a responsible idea for a product, service or process. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Master of Education in Educational Psychology through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Opportunity recognition
- Creative problem framing
- Community and user research
- Ethics and inclusion
- Idea generation and selection
Practical task
Investigate a need related to Master of Education in Educational Psychology. Interview or observe intended users with consent, compare possible responses and present one justified concept.
Assessment
Submit an opportunity brief, research notes, a concept sketch and a reflection on feedback. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
Learning outcomes
- Place selected African societies and events within a supported historical timeline.
- Compare historical sources and identify perspective, evidence and uncertainty.
- Explain the foundations of Pan Africanism and the contributions of Africans and the diaspora.
Main topics
- Historical inquiry, chronology, oral traditions and source evaluation
- African civilisations, states, trade, livelihoods and knowledge systems
- Southern African history, including Mapungubgwe and Great Zimbabwe
- Slavery, the African diaspora and changing ideas about identity
- Origins of Pan Africanism, solidarity, self-determination and cultural expression
Practical task
Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
Assessment
Submit the timeline or poster, an annotated source list and a short explanation of the evidence. Assessment considers chronology, historical accuracy, source judgement and the clarity of your interpretation.
Learning resources
Advanced Learning and Development Theory
Critically compare learning explanations and educational implications. You will examine cognitive theory, sociocultural theory, motivation research. Write a comparative theoretical analysis of a learning problem.
Learning outcomes
- Explain cognitive theory in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between sociocultural theory and motivation research.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing developmental diversity, evidence critique and educational application.
Main topics
- Cognitive theory
- Sociocultural theory
- Motivation research
- Developmental diversity
- Evidence critique
- Educational application
Practical task
Write a comparative theoretical analysis of a learning problem.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Child Development
Examine development across early and middle childhood in context. You will examine physical development, language development, social relationships. Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Learning outcomes
- Explain physical development in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between language development and social relationships.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing emotional regulation, play and family context.
Main topics
- Physical development
- Language development
- Social relationships
- Emotional regulation
- Play
- Family context
Practical task
Prepare an observation framework and developmental support activity.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Adolescent Development and Learning
Connect adolescent development with supportive secondary teaching. You will examine identity, peer relationships, cognitive development. Design a response to an anonymised adolescent-learning scenario.
Learning outcomes
- Explain identity in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between peer relationships and cognitive development.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing motivation, wellbeing and school transitions.
Main topics
- Identity
- Peer relationships
- Cognitive development
- Motivation
- Wellbeing
- School transitions
Practical task
Design a response to an anonymised adolescent-learning scenario.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Educational Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluate the quality and interpretation of educational measures. You will examine constructs, reliability, validity. Critique an educational measure using supplied evidence without clinical testing.
Learning outcomes
- Explain constructs in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between reliability and validity.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing fairness, score interpretation and evaluation design.
Main topics
- Constructs
- Reliability
- Validity
- Fairness
- Score interpretation
- Evaluation design
Practical task
Critique an educational measure using supplied evidence without clinical testing.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Inclusive Education
Identify participation barriers and plan accessible learning support. You will examine learning barriers, universal design, differentiation. Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain learning barriers in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between universal design and differentiation.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing assistive resources, referral and family collaboration.
Main topics
- Learning barriers
- Universal design
- Differentiation
- Assistive resources
- Referral
- Family collaboration
Practical task
Adapt a lesson and assessment for a specified access need.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Learner Guidance and Support
Plan educational guidance within appropriate professional boundaries. You will examine listening, learning needs, career guidance. Prepare an anonymised support plan with referral decisions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain listening in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between learning needs and career guidance.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing support planning, referral and follow-up.
Main topics
- Listening
- Learning needs
- Career guidance
- Support planning
- Referral
- Follow-up
Practical task
Prepare an anonymised support plan with referral decisions.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Level 2: Core subjects
Africa Indigenous Language: African Kalanga 201Compulsory graduation subject · Year 2
Develop African Kalanga through applied communication for education, training and development. Practise with authentic tasks, feedback and reflection across the programme year.
Learning outcomes
- Use African Kalanga accurately for Year 2 study and practice.
- Explain language choices to the intended audience.
- Revise your work using speaker and facilitator feedback.
Main topics
- Workplace vocabulary
- Questions
- Instructions
- Short messages and feedback
Practical task
Prepare and test a bilingual message for a realistic community or workplace situation.
Assessment
Submit the practical work, a brief reflection and evidence of language review. Assessment checks meaning, audience fit and improvement after feedback.
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Turn a promising idea into a testable proposal using evidence, creative methods and basic resource planning. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Master of Education in Educational Psychology through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Co-design and prototyping
- Value proposition
- Feasibility and costs
- Risk and responsible practice
- Testing and iteration
Practical task
Develop a small prototype or service model for a Master of Education in Educational Psychology problem. Test it with relevant users, record feedback and revise the proposal.
Assessment
Submit a prototype, a feasibility note, user feedback and a record of revisions. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse the effects of colonial rule on land, labour, institutions and social relations.
- Compare liberation movements and Pan African arguments using contextual evidence.
- Explain how different groups shaped independence, solidarity and debates about freedom.
Main topics
- Colonial rule, land, labour, education and forms of resistance
- Nationalism, liberation and the end of colonial rule and apartheid
- Pan African congresses, organisations and contrasting interpretations
- Women, labour movements and diaspora participation
- The Organisation of African Unity and debates about unity, sovereignty and development
Practical task
Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Assessment
Submit the case study, a source comparison and a reflection on your conclusions. Assessment considers context, evidence, recognition of different perspectives and the quality of your argument.
Learning resources
Advanced Research Design and Analysis
Develop a research design capable of addressing a complex organisational or social question. You will critically synthesise literature, justify methodological choices and assess evidence quality. The module develops the reasoning and analytical preparation required for an independently argued postgraduate research report.
Learning outcomes
- Critique a research design
- Justify an analytical approach
- Develop a defensible research proposal
Main topics
- Critical literature synthesis
- Research philosophy
- Design justification
- Advanced sampling
- Analytical methods
- Research integrity
Practical task
Submit a postgraduate proposal with a critical literature review and pilot analysis.
Assessment
Assessment combines applied exercises, a documented case or practical portfolio and an individual written or oral explanation. Judgement considers technical accuracy, reasoning, evidence quality and the feasibility of recommendations.
Education, Inequality and Social Change
Investigate education's relationship with structural social problems. You will examine poverty, exclusion, violence. Prepare an evidence-based educational response to a social problem.
Learning outcomes
- Explain poverty in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between exclusion and violence.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing gender relations, institutional responses and social change.
Main topics
- Poverty
- Exclusion
- Violence
- Gender relations
- Institutional responses
- Social change
Practical task
Prepare an evidence-based educational response to a social problem.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Classroom Action Research
Investigate a teaching problem through an ethical enquiry cycle. You will examine problem identification, evidence review, action planning. Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem identification in a relevant case.
- Analyse the relationship between evidence review and action planning.
- Produce a reasoned response addressing classroom evidence, evaluation and revision.
Main topics
- Problem identification
- Evidence review
- Action planning
- Classroom evidence
- Evaluation
- Revision
Practical task
Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
Assessment
Submit the practical output with supporting evidence and an individual written or oral explanation. Assessment considers subject knowledge, accuracy, reasoning and the quality of the completed work.
Dissertation or Substantial Research Report
Conduct an extended investigation into a focused programme-related problem. You will develop an argument through critical reading, appropriate evidence and sustained analysis. The completed report explains the contribution, limitations and practical or scholarly implications, supported by a transparent record of ethical research decisions.
Learning outcomes
- Conduct an approved investigation
- Develop an evidence-based argument
- Defend and revise research conclusions
Main topics
- Proposal refinement
- Ethical approval
- Evidence collection
- Sustained analysis
- Argument development
- Defence and revision
Practical task
Complete an independently assessed dissertation or substantial research report and oral defence.
Assessment
Assessment combines applied exercises, a documented case or practical portfolio and an individual written or oral explanation. Judgement considers technical accuracy, reasoning, evidence quality and the feasibility of recommendations.
Practical Learning
Authentic e-learning at BMIT
BMIT uses Authentic E-Learning to connect your studies with practical problems in your field. You use digital resources to investigate a realistic brief, make decisions and produce work for a defined purpose and audience. Your qualification's activities below put this approach into practice.
How you will learn
The approach draws on nine elements of authentic learning:
- Realistic contexts: Work with situations relevant to your profession or community.
- Purposeful tasks: Investigate a substantial problem with more than one possible solution.
- Expert examples: Examine demonstrations and examples of professional reasoning.
- Different perspectives: Compare sources and consider the needs of different people.
- Collaboration: Share ideas and review work with peers, while showing your own contribution.
- Reflection: Record what worked, what changed and what needs improvement.
- Explanation: Present your reasoning and support your decisions with evidence.
- Guidance: Use tutor feedback and structured support as you develop independence.
- Authentic assessment: Demonstrate learning through the task and its practical outcome.
From a brief to a practical outcome
Start by identifying the problem, intended audience and assessment criteria. Investigate relevant evidence, plan your response and develop an initial solution. Use discussion and feedback to test your ideas, then revise your work and explain your choices.
Digital tools support research, collaboration, simulation and the presentation of evidence. Your output depends on the module. Examples include a business proposal, technical design, tested program, investigation report or community resource. Keep drafts, calculations, test results and reflections to show how your work developed.
The module brief sets the required tasks, individual and group responsibilities, submission format and assessment criteria. The practical activities and supervision requirements for this qualification are set out below.
Research informing this approach
- Herrington, J. Authentic Learning: nine elements of authentic learning.
- Lombardi, M. M. (2007). Authentic learning for the 21st century: An overview. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.
- Parker, J., Maor, D. and Herrington, J. (2013). Authentic online learning: Aligning learner needs, pedagogy and technology. Issues in Educational Research, 23(2), 227–241.
Use guided online cases, realistic briefs and feedback to develop practical work. Any workplace or community activity requires suitable supervision and permission.
What you will practise
- Educational Measurement and Evaluation: Critique an educational measure using supplied evidence without clinical testing.
- Classroom Action Research: Conduct an approved classroom enquiry using anonymised evidence.
- Advanced Learning and Development Theory: Write a comparative theoretical analysis of a learning problem.
Applied project
Design and evaluate a proposed educational support intervention through approved research. Psychometric testing, diagnosis and clinical interventions require appropriately authorised professionals and are outside the assumed scope of this outline.
Evidence and feedback
- Critical research reviews and intervention case analyses.
- A research proposal with ethical justification.
- A supervised dissertation and oral defence.
Assessment considers the practical work you submit, the evidence behind your decisions and how you respond to feedback.
African History and Pan Africanism practical learning
- African History and Pan Africanism 101: Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201: Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Career Prospects
These examples show work across this qualification pathway, from support roles to specialist and management posts. Your entry point depends on your study, experience and employer requirements. Regulated roles require separate recognition or registration.
Top Career Paths and Job Titles
- Education research assistant: Supports ethical studies of learning and development.
- Learner-support coordinator: Organises referrals and evidence for qualified specialists.
- Educational psychologist: Assesses learners only after the required specialist training and registration.
- Inclusive practice adviser: Works with educators on support plans within a lawful scope.
- Student-support service lead: Coordinates qualified staff, quality and safeguarding.
Growth and Leadership Trajectory
- Starting practice: After meeting entry and any registration requirements, begin with the work represented by Education research assistant. Build supervised experience and keep a record of reliable work.
- Specialist progression: Relevant study and evidence from more complex projects support a move towards Learner-support coordinator or Educational psychologist.
- Leadership: With substantial experience, a role such as Student-support service lead adds responsibility for people, quality, budgets or service decisions.
Further Education to Boost Prospects
- Doctoral study: A PhD or other suitable doctorate in educational psychology is a possible later route. BMIT does not currently list a doctoral programme.
Professional Certifications and Registrations
- SACE: Teaching in South Africa requires educator registration. SACE checks the specific teaching qualification and registration category. Check official requirements.
- HPCSA Psychology Board: Psychologist, psychometrist and registered-counsellor categories have different accredited training and registration requirements. A general psychology degree alone does not authorise independent practice. Check official requirements.
Potential Government and Industrial Employers
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management: Start or manage a small venture related to this field. Regulated work still requires the relevant professional registration or licence.
- Private and commercial organisations: Schools and colleges.
- Specialist employers: Learning-design and education consultancies.
- Research and community organisations: Education NGOs and research centres.
- Government departments and public bodies: Education departments and teacher-development units.