Introducing MA Academic Practice — University of Liverpool Online

Develop your academic practice skills and gain global perspectives on higher education with this professional postgraduate teaching qualification

Designed to enhance your career in higher education, academic practice is the term used to describe a set of values, knowledge, and behaviours related to teaching and/or supporting learning in higher education. Dr Sue Bolt, head of academic development at the University of Liverpool, explains more…

What does a MA in Academic Practice involve?

You will study eight 15-credit taught modules and complete a supervised 32-week Academic Practice Project. The assessments involve students doing activities authentic to academic practice. For example, students could be asked to:

• communicate by creating academic posters, reports, and papers
• create a lesson plan
• engage in a professional conversation
• reflect on practice.

Each of the eight-week taught modules has two assessments, and the Academic Practice Project, which involves supervised research, has three assessments.

Can you tell us about studying online and how that works?

Before students start the first module, they do a two-week online induction which explains how to use the virtual learning platform and navigate the online environment. Students are supported by the academic teaching team, the student support team and the University of Liverpool Library. They are provided with online resources, learning activities and assessments. Learning activities include:

• asynchronous discussion forums
• lecturecasts
• multi-media case studies
• opportunities to reflect in individual online spaces
• readings
• synchronous seminars.

What makes this course so unique?

This course caters to students from all over the world. They are encouraged to contribute their own global perspectives on higher education by sharing their knowledge and experience with peers.

Students who have sufficient relevant experience teaching or supporting learning in higher education can do the accredited modules of the Postgraduate Certificate, which enables them to simultaneously achieve globally recognised teaching qualifications and professional recognition through a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) and Fellowship (FHEA). The programme was the first in the world to be accredited by Advance HE for Fellowship.

Those without this level of experience teaching in higher education can start with the Standard Pathway, which provides them with an initial teaching qualification. Both the accredited and standard pathways enable students to continue their studies in Academic Practice to a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Master of Arts (MA).

Where can the course lead?

The global emphasis of this course is helpful for those interested in transnational education and those seeking to develop skills for working effectively with international colleagues and students in higher education settings.

Initial teaching qualifications (PGCert) and professional recognition (FHEA) are valued by employers in higher education settings and are often a requirement for tenure. The PGDip helps students develop relevant knowledge and skills for academic leadership and scholarship, which enhance their academic career development. The Academic Practice Project, the final module of the MA, enables students to research an area of their interest relevant to academic practice. This helps students develop their research skills, individual expertise and academic profile.

Students may seek to publish the results of their research in highly respected peer-reviewed academic journals or give scholarly presentations at academic conferences. Students and alumni of this course are invited to participate in the University of Liverpool's Pedagogic Research Conference, submit articles for publication in the Developing Academic Practice Journal, which is published online through Liverpool University Press, and they are eligible to apply to become associate editors of the Developing Academic Practice Journal.

What types of students would suit this course?

This course is suited to those with an interest or experience in:

• higher education careers related to teaching and supporting student learning
• academic roles that involve teaching undergraduate or postgraduate students in classroom or clinical settings, or supervising postgraduate research students
• professional service roles that support student learning, for example, but not limited to services provided by higher education libraries, employability and student support services
• clinical and/or technical backgrounds with an interest in higher education learning and teaching.

Students need to have an undergraduate degree and/or significant relevant work experience. Students from any disciplinary background are welcome to do the course at any stage in their career. This course is suitable for those:

• starting a career in higher education
• with significant experience and leadership in higher education
• experiencing or planning a career change from industry, professional or other backgrounds.

The course is delivered in English, so students will need to demonstrate their English language proficiency.

What advice do you have for anyone considering studying the course?

• Plan your learning and manage your time effectively.
• Submit your assessments on time.
• Reach out to your online lecturer if you have any queries about your studies.
• If things change and you experience extenuating circumstances, reach out to the Student Support Team quickly so they can guide you through the process.

Find out more

• Read all about the MA Academic Practice.
• Hear from those who studied the course with some student testimonials.
• Take a look at the teaching and education sector.