Curriculum innovation for postgraduate programs: perspectives of postgraduate learners

Abstract

Designing, delivering and assessing level appropriate curriculum has been strongly advocated by curriculum theorists and practisers. And many curriculum research emphases on innovative approaches in curriculum designing and dissemination. Therefore, this study aims to study perspectives of postgraduate learners on curriculum innovation for postgraduate programmes. The data was gathered among 30 postgraduate students from one university in Dubai, who wrote critical reflection on 15 questions focusing on their desired innovation in curriculum, instructional strategies and assessment in post graduate programmes. The critical reflections of the students were used as transcripts for qualitative analysis. The findings indicate that the postgraduate learners prefer postgraduate curriculum to be challenging, current, offered in a contested mode, career and profession focused. The study strongly believes that accounting postgraduate learners' experience and perspectives support curriculum innovation in postgraduate programmes. The findings offer relevant insights for future research and it could benefit policy makers in higher education.