Master of Education
Postgraduate | CUR-MED-MAS | 2024
Increase your education leadership potential
Work towards education leadership roles by studying core subjects in research and global education trends. Choose options from digital technologies, Science Technology Engineering Maths (STEM), pedagogy philosophy, sustainable education and language.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 15 May 2024,
- 11 Aug 2024,
- 10 Nov 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 7
- Price from
- $19,888
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Education
About this degree
At the completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge and critical use of current and leading edge educational research and theory
- identify, access, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from a wide range of sources
- use technologies to effectively communicate information and ideas for specific knowledge users
- consider educational and professional issues from a variety of research-informed perspectives with a view to improving educational and professional knowledge and practice
- appreciate the value of individual and cultural differences, socially-justice and ethical practices, and the implications these have for knowledge production, and effective practice and professionalism in education settings
- demonstrate the capacity for leadership and innovation in in educational practice and workplace settings.
The Master of Education degree is designed for educators working in a range of educational contexts who hold a four-year teacher education degree or equivalent. Students will utilise and build on their existing professional knowledge, practices and contexts, with an emphasis on curriculum and pedagogical leadership and innovation. Students can select from subjects enabling advanced specialisation in one of three areas of expertise: • Innovative Learning and Teaching • Innovative STEM Education • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Alternatively, to provide maximum flexibility, students can also customise their degree by choosing any combination of subjects from across these specialisations. The degree incorporates a Negotiated Capstone Project where students investigate an area of individual or professional interest to understand and transform educational knowledge, real-world practices and challenges.
Please note that this course is only available to applicants who are residing in Australia for the duration of their degree. As this course doesn’t hold CRICOS registration international students on a Student VISA are not permitted to undertake this course.
Recommended study pattern
The Master of Education consists of 3 core subjects, (one subject is a double subject) and a choice of either a specialisation, or 4 optional subjects
Core subjects
CUR-EDMC500 Perspectives on Educational Research
CUR-EDMC600 Education in a Post-Truth Era
CUR-EDMC502 Negotiated Capstone Project - This is a double subject, meaning the study load for this subject is equivalent to a full-time load during the study period of enrolment.
Specialisations (Choose one or pick 4 optional subjects from list)
Innovative Learning and Teaching specialisation
CUR-EDMP620 Empowering Learners Through Social Justice Leadership
CUR-EDMP630 Pedagogies for Learner and Community Diversity
CUR-EDMP610 Emerging Technologies and the Future of Learning
CUR-EDMP600 Education for a Future: Learning for Sustainability
OR
Innovative STEM Education specialisation
CUR-EDMS600 Becoming a Leader of STEM Education
CUR-EDMS610 Designing STEM Integration
CUR-EDMP610 Emerging Technologies and the Future of Learning
CUR-EDMP600 Education for a Future: Learning for Sustainability
OR
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity specialisation
CUR-EDML600 Leading Learning in Multilingual Contexts
CUR-EDML501 Language Teaching Methodologies
CUR-EDMP610 Emerging Technologies and the Future of Learning
CUR-EDML502 Language in Society
OR
Customise your degree
Alternatively, you can customise your degree by choosing 4 subjects from the below list:
CUR-EDMP620 Empowering Learners Through Social Justice Leadership
CUR-EDMP630 Pedagogies for Learner and Community Diversity
CUR-EDMP610 Emerging Technologies and the Future of Learning
CUR-EDMP600 Education for a Future: Learning for Sustainability
CUR-EDMS600 Becoming a Leader of STEM Education
CUR-EDMS610 Designing STEM Integration
CUR-EDML600 Leading Learning in Multilingual Contexts
CUR-EDML501 Language Teaching Methodologies
CUR-EDML502 Language in Society
The standard full-time study load is two subjects per study period.
You can download an enrolment planner via the link below that will allow you to determine the recommended sequence of enrolment based on your study period of commencement in the Master of Education.
Master of Education enrolment planner (XLS)
Please note that if you wish to complete your degree in one year, you will need to maintain a full-time enrolment of two subjects per study period throughout your degree. You will also need to enrol according to the recommended sequence (based on your study period of commencement).
Subjects will not generally be offered in every study period and may not be available at the time that you wish to study them. Your progression in the degree may be impacted if you do not follow the recommended sequence of enrolment. If you wish to enrol in a part-time load then please select one subject from the two listed for each study period.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Master of Education, students must complete three core subjects, and either a specialisation or 4 optional subjects in the course structure (7 subjects total).
Choose your subjects
Majors
This degree consists of 3 core subjects and a selection of 4 subjects from the optional subjects list. EDMC502 Negotiated Research Project is a core double subject and can only be taken in the final study period of the degree.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
Changes for 2022:
The Master of Education has undergone a major change.
The new degree structure to be implemented from 2022 includes new subjects and updated subjects which have changed titles.
Students admitted to the Master of Education prior to 2022 who need to undertake new subjects will not be disadvantaged by these changes. Those who have been following the recommended study pattern will not have their degree lengthened as a result of these changes.
Transitional arrangements for existing students will depend upon the subjects already successfully completed (or for which credit has been granted) prior to 2022.
The Transition Tables below show all subjects in the Master of Education that have been removed from the structure or undergone a title change, and they show details of the recommended replacement subjects. Transitional Enrolment Planners are also provided below, to assist students to plan their own transitional arrangements.
Master of Education Transition Tables 2022 (PDF)
Master of Education Transition Planner for students admitted prior to 2022 (XLS)
It is important to note:
- Replacement subjects are not necessarily equivalent to the old subject
- Replacement subjects may be offered in different study periods to the old subject
- Transitional enrolment planners are only suitable for use by students who were admitted to the degree prior to SP1 2022
For further information/advice regarding this change, please contact Curtin University.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Higher education An education/teaching degree assessed as being the equivalent of a four-year Australian degree (normally a Bachelor of Education or a four-year combined/double education degree e.g. BSc/BEd) OR a three-year degree in a non-education discipline (e.g. Arts, Science, Commerce) plus a minimum one-year teaching qualification such as a Graduate Diploma in Education or Master of Teaching or equivalent.
Applicants need to meet Curtin’s English Language requirement as all degrees are taught in English.
Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Successful completion of a half a year full-time (equivalent to 0.5 EFTSL) of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom
- Successful completion of at least one year full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Canada, Singapore, South Africa or United States of America
- Successful completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree from a recognised overseas University, assessed by Curtin University as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor or Master Degree in which Curtin University recognised English was the sole language of instruction.
- Achievement of the required score on the International English Language Testing System (Academic)* English proficiency test: o Listening 6.0 o Reading 6.0 o Writing 6.0 o Speaking 6.0 o Overall score 6.5 You may also demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests.
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Entry Requirements' document at English Language Requirements.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience. Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment. To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Study method requirements
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.
Career opportunities
National and state initiatives are emphasising the importance of continuing professional learning for qualified teachers and postgraduate qualifications in education are now favourably considered in applications for promotion in school systems. The Master of Education can enable graduates to better position themselves for career advancement and educational leadership in a range of contexts. Graduates of this degree may also be eligible to continue their studies at a doctoral level.
Career outlook
- Education Advisers and Reviewers:
- $93K to $120K
- School Principals:
- Unknown average
Degree FAQs
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.