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Plan and execute your own research project on sustainability or resilience in education. Choose to complete this degree by coursework or by a combination of coursework and a minor thesis.

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Five stars

for full-time employment outcomes* *Good Universities Guide 2022, PG Education

Enhance your expertise

Build the skills to progress your career

$85,000

Median graduate salary* Good Universities Guide 2022, PG Education

Online

Available to off-shore students only

Online: February, July

$31,080.00⁺

⁺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

113804

What to expect

In this degree you will explore globalisation and leadership across a range of contexts and learning communities. An in-depth understanding of recent developments in education and professional practice will equip you to be a leader in your field.

Choose from two available majors: Global contexts, or leadership and management.

View the handbook for more information.

Majors

A Master of Education at JCU offers two majors. Students have the opportunity to design, plan and execute a substantial research and/or inquiry-based project.

Global Contexts

Students develop advanced knowledge and deep understanding of globalisation and culturally responsive educational practice applicable in today's interconnected world. The Global Contexts major provides graduates the ability to critically analyse and evaluate transformative education at the local, national and international level.

Graduates develop advanced knowledge of research principles, processes and practices applicable to global educational practices, processes and global citizenship.

Leadership and Management

Develop the expertise and skills of transformative leadership with advanced capability in critical analysis and evaluation, change, education and communication.

The Leadership and Management major provides opportunities for current and aspiring leaders working in formal education settings, human resources, policy development, community organisations or corporate sectors. JCU graduates have a deep understanding of areas such as educational leadership, transformative digital learning, and leading for change.

Career Opportunities

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

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

You could find employment as a teacher, lecturer, corporate educator, community leader, policy officer, and other leadership roles in education.

Handbook

Master of Education

Handbook year	2022
Course code	113804
Course type	Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9)
Owner	Division of Tropical Environments and Societies
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 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 bachelor honours 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
An AQF level 8 graduate certificate or graduate diploma 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, Division of Tropical Environments and Societies 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.

Special admission requirements

Note: this course does not lead to teacher registration. In exceptional cases applicants may be admitted to the course if they submit other evidence of academic and professional attainments and their candidature is approved by the Division.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

36 credit points as per course structure

Additional course rules

Students can complete the Master of Education by one of two options.

Option 1 – All coursework with a single or double major.

Option 2 – Coursework with single major and minor thesis.

Students wishing to select Option 2 must complete the core subjects and achieve a course GPA of at least 5.5. Admission to Option 2 is subject to the approval of the College Dean on the recommendation of the Head of Academic Group following successful completion of the core subjects.

Course learning outcomes

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

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of recent developments, discourses and debates in the field, or a sub-field, of Education and/or area of professional practice
Demonstrate knowledge of research or inquiry principles applicable to the field, or a sub-field, of Education and/or area of professional practice
Investigate, analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex information, problems, concepts and theories, at an advanced level, and critically reflect on theory in relation to different bodies of knowledge or practice
Justify, interpret and present theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Demonstrate advanced speaking, reading, writing, listening, collaborating and advocacy skills for Educational leadership in a field or sub field of Education
Design, plan and ethically execute a substantial research and/or inquiry-based project with creativity and initiative and a high level of autonomy and accountability in the field or a sub-field of Education.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

ED5880:03 Educational Leadership

ED5911:03 Education for Sustainability

ED5914:03 Individual Researched Action Project

ED5190:03 Introduction to Educational Research

OPTIONS

Select one of the following options:

OPTION 1 (All Coursework)

Select a major from Table A

PLUS

Select a second major from Table A or select 12 credit points of specified ED level 5 subjects from List 1

OPTION 2* (Coursework and Research Projects)

*Not available in Brisbane

CORE SUBJECTS

ED5097:03 Research Design and Proposal

ED5098:03 Ethics and Methodology

ED5095:06 Research Dissertation

PLUS

Select a major from Table A

List 1

ED5853:03 Career and Leisure Guidance and Counselling

ED5855:03 Behaviour Management

ED5857:03 Assessment

ED5859:03 Atypical Development

ED5862:03 Foundations of Counselling Theory

ED5863:03 Foundations of Counselling Practice

ED5864:03 Advanced Counselling

ED5881:03 Leading for Change in Curriculum and Pedagogy

ED5882:03 Transformative Digital Learning

ED5883:03 Global Education

ED5912:03 Social Learning Perspectives for a Sustainable Future

ED5913:03 Communicating Sustainability and Climate Change

TABLE A (MAJORS)

Credit points in major

12 credit points

MAJOR

AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Global Contexts

JCU Brisbane

External

Leadership and Management

JCU Brisbane

External

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Brisbane
External

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
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	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	18 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 that will be granted for previous Education studies at AQF Level 8 and recognised prior learning combined is 12 credit points. Applicants who have accrued two years of full-time (or equivalent) professional experience may be granted credit up to 12 credit points for non-core subjects except for studies and/or professional experiences undertaken to fulfil the entry requirements for JCU awards.

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.
Course articulation	Students who are enrolled in Option 2 and successfully complete the Master of Education and who 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].

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD31,080.00

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

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

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.
Lecturer

Greg Burnett

Course Coordinator, Master of Education

The Master of Education is ideal for teachers and others working in the education sector wishing to upskill for career advancement. Students can study while working, and at a pace that suits them due to the online delivery and the overall course structure. They can major in Educational Leadership or Global Contexts.
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.