Program Features
Program Features
Over more than two decades since the establishment of its master’s program, the Graduate Institute of Education at National Cheng Kung University has developed a strong and dynamic academic community. The faculty currently includes one Chair Professor, three Distinguished Professors, three Professors, four Associate Professors, and two Assistant Professors. Their research output in TSSCI-, SSCI-, and SCI-indexed journals significantly exceeds that of comparable institutions, reflecting a vibrant research culture. The institute is particularly characterized by its youthful energy and intellectual vitality.
Faculty members come from diverse academic backgrounds, and students likewise represent a wide range of experiences, fostering an open and stimulating learning environment. In addition to two faculty advisors assigned each semester, students select their thesis advisors in the second semester of their first year, allowing ample time to explore research interests and make informed decisions.
Situated within a comprehensive university, the institute offers a pleasant learning environment and abundant library resources. It also administers the university’s secondary teacher education program, providing diverse strengths in teaching facilities, faculty expertise, and collaboration with local educational institutions. This enables the effective integration of educational research and practice.
In terms of curriculum design, only one methodology course is required, while the remaining courses are electives. Students are encouraged to take courses across departments to broaden their perspectives. Each semester, one to two courses are offered in English to enhance students’ international communication skills. The program’s key areas and features are summarized as follows:
1. Educational Psychology and Learning Technology
With the evolution of contemporary educational theories and rapid advancements in information and communication technology, teaching methods have become increasingly diverse. Courses integrate instructional theory with emerging technologies while emphasizing localized perspectives on teaching and learning, providing training that bridges theory and practice.
2. Student Guidance and Counseling
In response to social changes and increasingly complex social issues, faculty members bring extensive practical experience in areas such as career counseling, behavioral issues, parent education, gender relations, and the application of assessment in counseling. Students benefit from rich learning opportunities in group counseling and case studies.
3. Higher Education Studies
As higher education in Taiwan becomes more accessible and widespread, institutions face challenges related to globalization and human resource development. Research topics include university governance, tuition policy, resource allocation, evaluation systems, and institutional classification. The program combines theoretical inquiry with practical administrative experience to examine higher education from a pragmatic perspective.
4. Research Methodology and Independent Research Training
Faculty members specialize in both quantitative and qualitative research, achieving notable advancements in both areas. The program emphasizes the development of independent research, problem-solving skills, and practical computing abilities, as well as training in statistical consultation.
5. Hidden Curriculum
Beyond formal coursework, the institute offers a range of co-curricular learning opportunities, including international academic exchanges, conferences, workshops, visiting scholars’ seminars, student exchange programs, and overseas study tours. These experiences are essential for cultivating global perspectives and competitiveness. In addition to professional knowledge, the program emphasizes positive thinking, emotional stability, open-mindedness, and respect for diversity.
Educational Objectives
The institute places strong emphasis on integrating educational theory with practical experience, aiming to equip students with both academic research capabilities and applied professional skills. Based on this philosophy, two primary educational objectives are established:
Master’s Program: To cultivate educational practitioners capable of driving educational innovation and becoming professionals in education, counseling, and research.
Doctoral Program: To develop scholars who lead educational innovation, with a strong foundation in theory, research, and practice.
To achieve these goals, the institute has established four key curriculum objectives:
1. To cultivate professionals in educational psychology and counseling.
2. To cultivate professionals in teaching and evaluation.
3. To develop expertise in research methodology.
4. To foster integrative and specialized competencies in education.
Core Competencies
Aligned with the educational objectives, the institute defines the following core competencies:
For Master’s Students:
1. Ability to integrate knowledge across educational fields.
2. Competence in self-directed and collaborative learning.
3. Ability to apply educational research to practice.
4. Skills in problem-solving and technology integration.
5. Development of global perspectives and competitiveness.
For Doctoral Students:
1. Advanced integrative and specialized expertise in education.
2. Academic development through self-directed and collaborative learning.
3. Leadership in integrating educational research and practice.
4. Independent research capabilities in problem-solving and technology integration.
5. Strong global perspective and international research competence.
Fundamental Literacies Cultivated by the Institute
The institute is committed to fostering the following essential qualities in its students:
* Humanistic literacy
* Civic literacy
* Social responsibility and engagement
* Global perspective
Over more than two decades since the establishment of its master’s program, the Graduate Institute of Education at National Cheng Kung University has developed a strong and dynamic academic community. The faculty currently includes one Chair Professor, three Distinguished Professors, three Professors, four Associate Professors, and two Assistant Professors. Their research output in TSSCI-, SSCI-, and SCI-indexed journals significantly exceeds that of comparable institutions, reflecting a vibrant research culture. The institute is particularly characterized by its youthful energy and intellectual vitality.
Faculty members come from diverse academic backgrounds, and students likewise represent a wide range of experiences, fostering an open and stimulating learning environment. In addition to two faculty advisors assigned each semester, students select their thesis advisors in the second semester of their first year, allowing ample time to explore research interests and make informed decisions.
Situated within a comprehensive university, the institute offers a pleasant learning environment and abundant library resources. It also administers the university’s secondary teacher education program, providing diverse strengths in teaching facilities, faculty expertise, and collaboration with local educational institutions. This enables the effective integration of educational research and practice.
In terms of curriculum design, only one methodology course is required, while the remaining courses are electives. Students are encouraged to take courses across departments to broaden their perspectives. Each semester, one to two courses are offered in English to enhance students’ international communication skills. The program’s key areas and features are summarized as follows:
1. Educational Psychology and Learning Technology
With the evolution of contemporary educational theories and rapid advancements in information and communication technology, teaching methods have become increasingly diverse. Courses integrate instructional theory with emerging technologies while emphasizing localized perspectives on teaching and learning, providing training that bridges theory and practice.
2. Student Guidance and Counseling
In response to social changes and increasingly complex social issues, faculty members bring extensive practical experience in areas such as career counseling, behavioral issues, parent education, gender relations, and the application of assessment in counseling. Students benefit from rich learning opportunities in group counseling and case studies.
3. Higher Education Studies
As higher education in Taiwan becomes more accessible and widespread, institutions face challenges related to globalization and human resource development. Research topics include university governance, tuition policy, resource allocation, evaluation systems, and institutional classification. The program combines theoretical inquiry with practical administrative experience to examine higher education from a pragmatic perspective.
4. Research Methodology and Independent Research Training
Faculty members specialize in both quantitative and qualitative research, achieving notable advancements in both areas. The program emphasizes the development of independent research, problem-solving skills, and practical computing abilities, as well as training in statistical consultation.
5. Hidden Curriculum
Beyond formal coursework, the institute offers a range of co-curricular learning opportunities, including international academic exchanges, conferences, workshops, visiting scholars’ seminars, student exchange programs, and overseas study tours. These experiences are essential for cultivating global perspectives and competitiveness. In addition to professional knowledge, the program emphasizes positive thinking, emotional stability, open-mindedness, and respect for diversity.
Educational Objectives
The institute places strong emphasis on integrating educational theory with practical experience, aiming to equip students with both academic research capabilities and applied professional skills. Based on this philosophy, two primary educational objectives are established:
Master’s Program: To cultivate educational practitioners capable of driving educational innovation and becoming professionals in education, counseling, and research.
Doctoral Program: To develop scholars who lead educational innovation, with a strong foundation in theory, research, and practice.
To achieve these goals, the institute has established four key curriculum objectives:
1. To cultivate professionals in educational psychology and counseling.
2. To cultivate professionals in teaching and evaluation.
3. To develop expertise in research methodology.
4. To foster integrative and specialized competencies in education.
Core Competencies
Aligned with the educational objectives, the institute defines the following core competencies:
For Master’s Students:
1. Ability to integrate knowledge across educational fields.
2. Competence in self-directed and collaborative learning.
3. Ability to apply educational research to practice.
4. Skills in problem-solving and technology integration.
5. Development of global perspectives and competitiveness.
For Doctoral Students:
1. Advanced integrative and specialized expertise in education.
2. Academic development through self-directed and collaborative learning.
3. Leadership in integrating educational research and practice.
4. Independent research capabilities in problem-solving and technology integration.
5. Strong global perspective and international research competence.
Fundamental Literacies Cultivated by the Institute
The institute is committed to fostering the following essential qualities in its students:
* Humanistic literacy
* Civic literacy
* Social responsibility and engagement
* Global perspective
