Course overview
Ready to transform education?
Drive change through effective communication and science-based innovation with ECU Online's Master of Education.
Navigate your career path, selecting from one of two course specialisations: Leading Education or Science of Learning.
Specialisations
Gain the confidence to lead your people and organisation strategically and effectively. Enhance student learning outcomes and increase engagement with your school community in times of unprecedented change and a climate of increased public accountability.
You will learn:
- Latest research and strategies
- Global perspective on education
- Effective leadership
- Strategy development for complex environments
Our Science of Learning course equips educators with contemporary, research-based strategies from cognitive science, psychology and neuroscience to enhance instruction and improve learning outcomes for diverse students.
You will learn:
- Science of Learning theory
- Explicit Instruction and Direct Instruction
- Science of reading instruction
- Science of mathematics instruction
What you will study
- Leading Education in a Global Context
- Assessment in Education: Policies, Pedagogy and Equity
- Inquiry Based Practice
- Advanced Seminar
- Specialise in Leading Education or Science of Learning
Course information
Master of Education
Leading Education specialisation: Admission requirement (Band 6)
- Bachelor of Education or a Bachelor level degree in any other field plus a Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching; and
- 2 years experience in an educational setting or organisation with equivalents considered.
Science of Learning specialisation: Admission requirement (Band 6)
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
- Equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience.
English Language requirement (Band 4)
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified in the Admissions Policy;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.
Course Specific Admission Requirements
All applicants are required to have an initial teacher education qualification.
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Career outcomes
Leading Education
- Head of department
- Deputy principal
- School principal
Science of Learning
- Education leader
- Lead teacher
- Specialist teacher
- Learning support teacher
- Curriculum designer/Curriculum coordinator
Frequently asked questions
Gaining a Master of Education will not automatically grant you a pay rise. However, postgraduate study can help make you a good candidate for promotions, which can result in a pay rise.
Our online accelerated Master of Education offers six intakes per year and each study period is seven weeks in total. Some study periods will coincide with school holidays but this will not be the case for all of them. You can find the dates of all our study periods on our academic calendar.
We recommend dedicating 15-20 hours per week to your postgraduate study. Our online accelerated models means you will study one unit at a time over seven-week study periods. This means you can complete your Master of Education in as little as 16 months.
No. Our Master of Education is for qualified educators who can apply what they learn to their current role, so placements are not required.
While a Master of Education Online develops advanced knowledge and leadership skills in education, becoming a certified teacher in Australia typically requires completion of a Master of Teaching or other accredited teacher education program. The Master of Education focuses on leadership, curriculum development, and research-based practices, preparing graduates for roles in educational management, policy, or professional development.
The Master of Education Online at ECU can typically be completed in 16 months part-time, depending on your study load and course pathway. The program is delivered one unit at a time over seven-week Study Periods, with six Study Periods available per year, allowing flexibility for working professionals.
A Master of Teaching is a professional qualification that enables graduates to become accredited teachers in primary or secondary education. A Master of Education is a postgraduate education program focused on leadership, curriculum innovation, research, and professional development, rather than teacher accreditation. The Master of Education Online at ECU prepares graduates for strategic and leadership roles in schools or educational organisations with the option of one of two course specialisations: Leading Education or Science of Learning.
Still have questions?
Download a course guide or speak with a Student Enrolment Advisor. Our team can assist you with:
- Eligibility & enrolment enquiries
- Course duration & fees
- Flexible entry & study pathways
- How online study will fit with your schedule
