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Advance your professional career and become a leader in your field. Expand your understanding of educational leadership, career development or educational research. Explore a range of coursework subjects or focus on a small-scale research project.

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#1 in Australia

for full-time employment 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Education

Enhance your expertise

Build the skills to progress your career

Flexible study options

Study online or on campus

Online

Available to off-shore students only

Online: January, May, September

$32,040.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

1.5 years full-time

or part-time equivalent

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

English language requirements

Band 2

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

113804

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

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024.
Course code	113804
Course type	Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9)
Professional accreditation status	This course is not accredited and does not lead to teacher registration. The Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) has endorsed the Master of Education (Career Development) delivered by James Cook University as meeting the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners for a period of 3 years from October 2023 to October 2026
Owner	Academy
College	Arts, Society and Education

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of:

An AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a discipline other than Education, with a minimum 2 years professional work experience in a teaching role in Education; or
An AQF level 7 bachelor degree in Education; or
An AQF level 8 graduate certificate in Education from one of the following JCU courses: Graduate Certificate of Education for Sustainability; Graduate Certificate in Research Methods [Education]; Graduate Certificate in Career Development; Graduate Certificate in Catholic Education; Graduate Certificate in Education (Academic Practice); or
An AQF level 8 graduate diploma in Education; or
An AQF level 8 degree in a discipline other than Education, with a minimum 2 years-experience working as a professional educator in a management, leadership or supervisory position; or
Other qualifications recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Academy as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

36 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Master of Education, graduates will be able to:

Synthesise and apply knowledge of contemporary developments and issues in the field of Education
Integrate and apply knowledge of research or inquiry principles and methods applicable to the field of Education
Reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship in the field of Education
Investigate, analyse and synthesise information, problems, concepts and theories to generate and evaluate complex ideas, concepts and developments in Education
Demonstrate technical research and communication skills to interpret and justify theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Demonstrate advanced communication skills to design, analyse, evaluate, implement and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship in Education
Apply professional knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice, with high-level personal autonomy and accountability
Plan and execute a research-based project or piece of scholarship in the field of Education that applies established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice.

Inherent Requirements

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 visit: Master of Education.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

ED5190:03 Introduction to Educational Research

ED5883:03 Global Education

ED5097:03 Research Design and Proposal

OPTIONS

Select a major from Table A

PLUS

Select 15 credit points of specified Level 5 subjects from List 1

List 1

ED5581:03 Theories and Assessment in Career Development

ED5582:03 Professional Practice of Career Development

ED5583:03 Labour Market Information and the Future of Work

ED5584:03 Career Development Theories and Counselling Approaches in Practice

ED5880:03 Educational Leadership

ED5881:03 Leading for Change in Curriculum and Pedagogy

ED5882:03 Transformative Digital Learning

ED5911:03 Education for Sustainability

ED5912:03 Social Learning Perspectives for a Sustainable Future

LB5205:03 People in Organisations

LB5234:03 Leading and Managing Organisational Change

LB5240:03 Cross-Cultural Leadership

LB5241:03 Leadership Futures

TABLE A (MAJORS)

Credit points in major

12 credit points

MAJOR	AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Career Development	External
Educational Leadership	External JCU Brisbane
Educational Research	External

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Brisbane	Internal or mixed-mode attendance
External	Part-time study available only

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	5 years
Maximum leave of absence	2 years

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Accreditation requirements	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	24 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	The maximum credit granted will be 24 credit points. Of that 24 credit points, the maximum credit that will be granted for professional experience is 12 credit points. No credit may be granted for studies and/or professional experiences undertaken to fulfil the entry requirements for JCU awards. Credit for the MEd Career Development major subjects will only be considered if previous study was from a Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) endorsed course.

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF EDUCATION
Approved abbreviation	MEd
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Majors will appear on the testamur
Exit with lesser award	Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed 12 credit points of study and appropriate subjects, may be eligible to receive the award of Graduate Certificate of Education or Graduate Certificate of Career Development.
Course articulation	Students who complete the Master of Education with Educational Research Major and obtain at least an average of Distinction for the subjects within the major and a minimum GPA of 5.5 overall, may be eligible to apply for entry to the Doctor of Philosophy [Education] or the Doctor of Education [Research].
Special Awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD32,040.00

Course fees are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependents accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this Diploma, consider exploring our available Pathways options.

Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

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

Colette Wasson

Director, Human Resources Business Partnering, Education Queensland

The Department of Education finds JCU students to be equipped with the knowledge, skill set and willingness to make a difference in Queensland State Schools. Graduates leave JCU with a well-rounded ability to succeed in the classroom, while also stepping outside their comfort zone to begin their professional careers.
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.