Name: Master of Education
Author: James Cook University

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Lead learning. Shape change.

Advance your professional career with JCU’s Master of Education – designed for educators, leaders and professionals ready to create meaningful change. Choose from majors in Educational Leadership, Career Development (endorsed by the Career Industry Council of Australia) and Educational Research. Expand your expertise, strengthen your leadership capacity and graduate equipped to influence the future of education.

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Strengthen your leadership

Take the next step in your career

Gain credit for your experience

Credit of four subjects awarded for five years of professional experience

Educating future generations for more than 50 years

The trusted leader in educating our educators

Online: January, May, September

Brisbane: January, May, September

$4,738⁺

$26,014^{^}

⁺

estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load. Please note this estimate is variable and subject to fluctuation depending on choice of elective subjects.

^{^}

estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee. Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Currently displaying fees for 2026, which are subject to change in following years.

1.5 years full-time (Brisbane)

2 years part-time (Online), with option to accelerate

AQF level 7 degree plus 2 years' professional work experience in education; or AQF level 7 degree in education; or AQF level 8 qualification with minimum 2 years as professional educator; or AQF level 8 qualification in education

What to expect

Ready to take the next step in your career and become a leader in the field of Education? JCU’s Master of Education is designed for professionals currently working in Education or who hold formal education qualifications and wish to take on leadership, management, academic or coordinating roles.

If you have five or more years of full-time professional experience within education, you may be eligible to apply for credit. Successful applications may result in up to 12 credit points (equivalent to four subjects). Discover more about your credit options here

Develop your expertise in educational research, policy, leadership, curriculum and pedagogy. Critically reflect on current issues facing the profession, understand how to become an effective leader and develop capacity in others. Hone your curriculum design and implementation skills to lead pedagogical change with confidence.

JCU’s Master of Education gives you the flexibility to pursue your interests and personal career goals. Choose a major in Educational Leadership or Career Development, which feature coursework only, or a major in Educational Research, which includes the completion of a small-scale research project. Have your experience recognised with up to12 credit points of credit for elective studies. This is for five or more years of full-time equivalent professional experience.

Gain the advanced knowledge, experience and skills to be a leader in Education, making a difference at a personal, organisational and policy level. Learn how to lead for effective change, enhancement and improvement. JCU Master of Education graduates are highly valued for their strong transferrable skills and understanding of diverse communities’ educational needs.

View the handbook for more information.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment,and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Education. Additional information

Masters in Education

Are you a professional in the educational field, looking to advance your career and become a leader? Consider doing a Master’s degree in Education at JCU. This degree is the ideal next step for anyone who is already working in education or has educational qualifications but now wants to progress their career. A Masters in Education can open up new career opportunities, including roles in leadership, management and coordination. Studying at James Cook University will provide you with all the skills and professional tools to make you an attractive candidate for any employer in the educational and academic fields. Learn from expert tutors, gain practical experience and choose between studying online or in person. Advance your knowledge within the industry you’re most passionate about by studying for JCU’s Master’s in Education.

What You Will Learn Through a Master Degree in Education

This degree has been developed for those with work experience or qualifications in education and aims to further develop your knowledge and provide you with the skills necessary for a wide range of advanced roles. You can expect to learn the following:

Leadership skills and contemporary theories of effective leadership
How globalisation influences the discipline of education
The ethical practice of educational leadership
Strategies for leading change in organisational processes
>Why educating for sustainability and educating sustainably is important
Contemporary approaches for educating on sustainability
Education policy
Curriculum
Communication theory, and more

Your Future Career

If you’re passionate about education and you want to be able to go further in your career, this degree is perfect for you. A range of rewarding careers in various roles are available in the fields of management, leadership, coordination, communication and sustainability. Previous graduates have gone on to work as lecturers, teachers, corporate educators, community leaders, policy officers and other roles. The median graduate salary for this degree is $68,700 and the full-time employment outcomes are extremely strong. JCU has been awarded five stars for full-time employment outcomes by the Good Universities Guide 2023, meaning your chances of finding your dream role after completing this master’s are high. JCU graduates are highly valued by employers across Australia because of the skills and experience they gain while studying at JCU.

How an Online Masters in Education Works

You can choose to study this programme at the JCU Brisbane campus or online. Doing an online Master’s in Education provides you with plenty of flexibility to study wherever and whenever you like and fit your degree around other commitments. The degree takes 1.5 years to complete full-time, but you can also choose to study it part-time if that suits you better. There are two options for completing the degree: all coursework with a single or double major, or all coursework with a single major and a minor thesis, which can lead to a higher degree by research study.

The majors you can choose between are Global Contexts and Leadership and Management. Students who study Global Contexts learn about globalisation and culturally responsive educational practice, while students who choose Leadership and Management will become experts in transformative leadership.

If you’re looking for a master’s in Education in Queensland, choose JCU. Apply for the next intake through JCU’s online application portal. Hide additional information

Majors

A Master of Education at JCU offers three majors. Students can specialise in Educational Leadership, Career Development or Educational Research.

Educational Leadership

Develop advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical practices within educational leadership. Critically reflect on current issues facing the profession and understand key aspects of becoming a leader and developing capacity in others. Embrace the future of Education by engaging with contemporary theories of educational leadership, learning how to work effectively with people in organisations and navigating the changing landscape of transformative digital learning. Become equipped to face local and global challenges to Education. Hone your curriculum design and implementation skills to lead pedagogical change with confidence.

Career Development

Boost your career prospects with a major in Career Development and gain the skills and knowledge to help others navigate their future career pathways. Learn about theories, assessment and professional practice in career development. Engage with contemporary labour market information and reflect on the future of work. Apply career development theories and counselling approaches to practice. This major provides skills for job opportunities within various work and educational contexts. Opportunities include roles within schools, vocational and further education (TAFE), universities, government agencies and industry organisations, such as career advisors within school settings, and career counsellors for community or government programs.

This major is endorsed by the Career Industry Council of Australia. Graduates are eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Professional Career Development Practitioners.

Educational Research

Investigate a topic or issue of your choice within the field of Education. Plan and undertake a small-scale research project under the guidance of supportive lecturers committed to your success. Understand the principles of research design and become skilled in analysing and interpreting research data. Draw conclusions and highlight the implications of your findings for educational theory, policy or practice. You will become experienced in communicating your research and ideas to a variety of audiences. Successful completion of this major can lead to a higher degree by research.

Career Opportunities

JCU Master of Education graduates lead rewarding careers across a variety of roles.

Graduates work in leadership, Education and communication in both public and private organisations.

You could find employment as a school leader, corporate educator, community leader, policy officer and other leadership roles in Education.

Handbook

Visit the JCU Course and Subject Handbook.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD4,738.00

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD26,014.00

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Learn more about fees and financial support

Pathways to JCU

A Graduate Certificate in this subject area can be used as a pathway into this course.

Explore JCU’s available Graduate Certificates here or contact our friendly JCU Future Students Team to find out more.

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Advance your career in education.

Build the expertise, confidence, and practical skills to lead, teach, and create real impact in diverse learning environments — with postgraduate study at JCU.

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Student

Katie Vander Donk

Master of Education

The university staff are compassionate, understanding, professional and supportive of the holistic needs of their students. Engaging in these postgraduate studies will allow me to leverage my professional knowledge and understandings to greater build community awareness and action around sustainability.
Alumni

James Dalitz

Master of Education

The structure of the course and the subject options enabled me to enhance my capacity in my interest areas while also developing new educational perspectives. I would recommend the JCU Master of Education to all types of educators looking to take their understanding of education to the next level.
Course Coordinator

Associate Professor Louisa Tomas Engel

Master of Education

The Master of Education is ideal for teachers and others working in the education sector who are seeking a new challenge or who wish to upskill for career advancement. Students engage with contemporary research in education and can study online while they work, at a pace that suits them.
Employer

Jacqui Francis

Executive Director, Townsville Catholic Education

JCU graduates come to us ready to take on the role of guiding and teaching our wonderful students. We recognise their enthusiasm, energy and their willingness to continue in professional development that further enhances their skills. JCU graduates enhance our organisation and add value to our students’ lives.