Master

Master's Learning and Innovation

Christian Education

During the international Master track in Christian Education we focus on the backgrounds and practices of education inspired and informed by Christian faith. The aim of this master is to deepen your knowledge and develop your skills as a teacher leader.

Master Learning and Innovation - Track Christian Education

Master Learning and Innovation - Track Christian Education

Why is it important?

As a teacher leader you know how to develop and implement innovative practices in your work environment. During this track you will learn the skills and competences you'll need for this task. We will also focus on how you can motivate and mentor your colleagues to innovate as well.  

The language of instruction is English. You can apply for one or more modules or complete the complete master within two years. The diversity or our participants will make it an inspiring learning enviromnent for you. It will enable you to develop yourself as an (international) expert on learning and innovation in christian education.  

All teachers, principals, school leaders and people working for educational aid organizations are welcome to join us in this master track. We also invite those who are preparing for a PhD in Christian Education. On this web page you can find all the information you need. We have structured it in three categories: ‘before your studies’, ‘during your studies’ and ‘after your studies’.

What are the admission requirements?

Before your study

We’ve started this master because we perceived a need for knowledge about Christian education worldwide. Each module contains an on-campus seminar in the Netherlands. This is combined with online (self)study. During this curriculum the cultural differences of our participants are taken into account. 

The objective of this Master is to become a Teacher leader. A Teacher leader is a teacher with a vision of good quality education. He or she knows how to develop and implement new practices. Teacher leaders work together with colleagues to introduce innovations and they can share these innovations with others. Teacher leaders innovate because they believe in doing good, justice and shalom. Is this something that fits into your vision and your professional development? If this is the case, this master track would be an excellent choice for you.

Driestar Christian University is located in Gouda, a typically Dutch town, located between Rotterdam and Utrecht. If you are looking for more information about studying in the Netherlands, feel free to take a look at this page. During your stay in the Netherlands you can choose to be provided with accommodation and food. Making use of this way of accommodation is optional.

During your study

During your study you will be trained to become a Teacher leader. The following competences, goals and activities apply to a teacher leader:  

  • Teacher leaders are teachers with a vision of good quality education
    Teacher leaders are professional leaders with a mindset to learning in their own teaching/educational practice. They have a well-founded view on good quality education, based on knowledge of (cultural) historical and philosophical sources, academic literature, specialist literature and practice oriented research in their own practice.   
  • Teacher leaders develop and implement new practices
    Teacher leaders develop new practices (innovations) that contribute to good education. They start this on a small scale in their own teaching/educational practice and continue by involving others in their innovations.   
  • Teacher leaders work together with colleagues to innovate
    Teacher leaders work together with colleagues to research and implement innovations by means of practice-oriented research. Teacher leaders actively contribute to their organization’s policy.
  • Teacher leaders can share their innovations
    Teacher leaders demonstrate and share their innovations and the practical knowledge they have gathered, systemized and critically reflected on for the use of others. 

Below you will find more information on the courses and the global structure of this master track. We will also provide you with information on the study load, the costs and the application procedure. 

The study load for this master track is 60 ECTS. This means 1680 study hours. These study hours include online lectures, selfstudy and multiple weeks of teaching on campus. You can either complete this master in 2 years or in 1 year. If you are interested in completing the master in 1 year, you will have to follow multiple modules in one semester.
The following tuition fees apply to this master. They depend on your personal situation, so please take a good look at the table below. These fees are for the courses only and exclude any living and accommodation costs.
 
    Fee Potential grants
Single module:   € 1.997,- per module Erasmus+
Multiple modules:      
I am from the EU and have no Master's degree in education Tuition fee per year regardless of number of modules € 2.083,- per year Lerarenbeurs (for Dutch teachers) 
Erasmus+
I am from the EU and have a Master's degree in education Institutional tuition fee per year, regardless of number of modules € 7.988,- per year Erasmus+
I am not from the EU Institutional tuition fee for two years € 7.988,- 
(€ 3.994 per year)
Holland Scholarship (maximum amount  €2.500)
  Completed within four years 15 credits per year (equal to one module) € 1.997,- per year (equal to one module) Holland Scholarship (maximum amount €2.500,-)

All courses will be taught by an international team of professors. This staff includes:

  • Professor David Smith (United States)
  • Professor Trevor Cooling (United Kingdom)
  • Professor John Choi (South Korea)
  • Professor Dana Hanesová (Slovakia)
  • Professor Bram de Muynck (The Netherlands)
  • Several other excellent lecturers from Driestar Christian University

You can study flexibly by choosing how many modules you follow each year. You can follow all 4 modules in one year or 1,2 or 3 modules per year. This flexible module plan will help you adapt your studies to your personal situation. Below you’ll find the flexible module plans for the master track 2018 - 2020 and the first half of the master track 2019 - 2021.
 

Master track: 2018 - 2020

Schedule for students who applied in 2018
Module 1  
21 Sept - 2 Nov 2018 Four online lectures
26 nov - 7 dec 2018 Two weeks on campus
14 Dec 2018 - 11 Jan 2019 Two online lectures
Module 2  
8 February - 8 March 2019 Online lectures
1 - 12 April 2019 Two weeks on campus
17 May - 14 June 2019 Online lectures
Module 3  
13 Sept - 11 Okt 2019 Online lectures
1 Nov - 22 Nov 2019 Online lectures
13 - 24 January 2020 Two weeks on campus
Module 4  
10 February - 27 March 2020 Online lectures
6 April - 29 May 2020 Online lectures
8 - 19 June 2020 Two weeks on campus
   

Master track: 2019 - 2021

Schedule for student who applied in 2019.
Module 1  
2 Sept - 20 Sept 2019 Online lectures
23 Sept -  4 Oct 2019 Two weeks on campus
7 Oct 2019 - 10 Jan 2020 Online lectures
Module 2  
10 February - 20 March 2020 Online lectures
23 March - 3 April 2020 Two weeks on campus
6 April - 29 June 2020 Online lectures
Module 3  
14 Sept - 12 Okt 2020 Online lectures
2 Nov - 22 Nov 2020 Online lectures
11 - 22 January 2021 Two weeks on campus
Module 4  
8 February - 26 March 2021 Online lectures
5 April - 28 May 2021 Online lectures
7 - 18 June 2021 Two weeks on campus
   

Master track: 2020 - 2022

Schedule for student who want to apply in 2020.
Module 1  
1 Sept - 20 Sept 2020 Online lectures
21 Sept -  2 Oct 2020 Two weeks on campus
5 Oct - 8 Jan 2021 Online lectures
Module 2  
8 February - 20 March 2021 Online lectures
22 March - 2 April 2021 Two weeks on campus
5 April - 25 June 2021 Online lectures

Note: If you are interested to complete the Master in one year by following multiple modules in one semester please contact mister Lindhout. It may be possible from the course year 2020- 2021.
 

This master track can be completed in two years and is structured within three strands: 
  • The content strand This involves theological, philosophical and historical sources for Christian education. We will reference to current debates in education.
  • The innovation/research strand This strand is all about developing innovations within your own context. You will learn to base your innovation on practice-oriented research.
  • The personal development strand This strain focusses ons a tutorship aimed to guide you in your current role in your institution. We will focus on educational innovation and integrating knowledge and practice. 
Themes
The Master’s content is defined by four major themes. These themes are discussed from a historical, phi­losophical-theological, social, concrete-practical and a teacher’s personal perspective. We discuss these themes in theoretical modules in the content strand. However each theme is also connected to a tutoring strand and a research strand.
 
Each module consists of 10 weeks of online distance learning, followed by campus seminars. These non-distance classes will be taught in Gouda, the Netherlands. During your 3-4 week stay in the Netherlands you will be part of a learning community of students and professors. During these weeks you will have the opportunity to visit schools and gain teaching practice.

After your study

Congratulations on completing our master Learning and Innovation - track Christian education. We are looking forward to what you will achieve in your daily work practice. Even though you have completed your studies, you are still welcome at our school. We would love to stay in touch and are excited to hear how you apply your knowledge in your work. Are you interested in using your newly-found expertise to further improve our education? Please let us know, we are now shaping chrsitian education together. 

Apply

To apply for this master, click the button below.

Note: you have to apply by filling out the application form at the bottom of the page AND by applying through studielink!

Take me to the application form!