Master of Education

Contribute your way in education

The Master of Education is designed for professionals working in the education industry including school leaders, teachers, educational consultants and trainers or students wishing to pursue leadership opportunities within schools. It is also suitable to study as preparation to teach in the higher education environment, or to develop your research capacity and transition into educational research and lead educational change.

This flexible degree focuses on three specialisations and electives to meet your professional learning needs. 

What will you do?

We offer three areas of specialisation:

  • Educational Leadership and Wellbeing - examine evidence-based approaches to wellbeing support—alongside leadership and management theory—and consider how these can be applied to lead educational change.
  • English Language Teaching (ELT/TESOL) - learn the latest strategies for effective English Language Teaching.
  • Research - strengthen your educational research skills and understandings, with opportunities to go on to a PhD.

Flexible study options
Learn flexibly and at your own pace with classes offered in a range of convenient ways, including face-to-face and via online learning, workshops and intensives. The Master of Education is offered in a blended mode with a combination of online and face-to-face courses.

Where could it take you?

You’ll graduate ready to pursue a rewarding education career. You could revolutionise the field with a new approach to assessment or integrated curriculums. You might want to teach English to adults or work in higher education. Perhaps you’ll be an education consultant or transition into research and publish your own book.

Master of Education (Advanced Standing) SATAC code 3CM244
For those who have completed an Australian recognised teaching qualification and have worked as a teacher in Australia for at least two years, we have the Master of Education (Advanced Standing) program available for you which can be completed in one year or part-time equivalent. Please refer to the degree structure for more detail.

Note: This degree does not provide a recognised qualification for teaching in schools. For this pathway, see our Master of Teaching.

  • Ranked #75 in the world by subject^
  • 3 specialisations to choose from and taught by award-winning staff
  • 1 year program available

^Times Higher Education, by Subject 2023

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM151, 3CM244
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February* and July. * Please note that for the February intake, classes for Introduction to Wellbeing in Education (EDUC 7064), English Language Teaching Methodology (EDUC 7421), and Quantitative Approaches to Research (EDUC 7021)
Additional Entry Requirements
Apply via SATAC using the relevant SATAC codes below.

SATAC Code: Master of Education 3CM151, Master of Education (Advanced Standing) 3CM244.

If you are interested in Master of Education we recommend you place the Master of Education (Advanced Standing) (3CM244) as your first preference and the 2 year Master of Education (3CM151) as your second preference in your SATAC application.

Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study Master of Education 3CM151: Successful completion of a Bachelors degree or equivalent.

Master of Education (Advanced Standing) 3CM244: Successful completion of an Australian-recognised teaching qualification at Bachelor's degree level or equivalent and two years+ teaching experience in Australia.


Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $31,500

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:

  • receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
  • use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Check your eligibility today at Study Assist

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

This degree provides advanced career options for educators and allows experienced teachers to enhance their existing qualifications to pursue senior policy and consulting roles. It gives trainers across various industries the ability to teach in higher education, including the TAFE and university sectors, and work as education consultants.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Professional Accreditation

This program does not constitute the requirements for a recognised teaching qualification. 

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Policy Adviser;  Policy Developer;  Manager / Business Management

Degree Structure

To qualify for the degree of Master of Education, applicants without an existing teaching qualification must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 48 units comprising: 

1.    Core courses to the value of 30 units
2.    Specialisation courses to the value of 12 units
3.    Elective course to the value of 6 units.

To qualify for the degree of Master of Education, applicants with an existing teaching qualification (Australian recognised B.Ed, G.DipEd or equivalent), two years of teaching practice and have subsequently been granted up to 24 units of advanced standing must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 24 units comprising: 

1.    Core courses to the value of 9 units
2.    Specialisation courses to the value of 12 units
3.    Elective course to the value of 3 units.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative Study Plan:


Core Courses All students must complete core courses to the value of 30 units comprising:

EDUC 7013 Educational Leadership in Diverse Contexts (3 units)
EDUC 7031 Education Major Project* (6 units)
EDUC 7054 Research Design (3 units)
EDUC 7064 Introduction to Wellbeing in Education (3 units)
EDUC 7065 Mixed Methods Research (3 units)
EDUC 7550 Education Policies and Systems (3 units)
EDUC 7551 Curriculum Development and Innovation (3 units)
EDUC 7552 Pedagogical Engagement for Learning (3 units)
EDUC 7553 Assessment and Evaluation (3 units)

Except students granted 24 units of advance standing who must complete core courses comprising:

EDUC 7054 Research Design (3 units)
EDUC 7031 Education Major Project* (6 units)

* Students intending to pursue Higher Degree by Research (PhD, MPhil) should follow the Research specialisation stream and complete a 12 unit dissertation in lieu of EDUC 7031 Education Major Project
Specialisations

All students must complete one of the following four specialisations:

Educational Leadership and Wellbeing
Courses to the value of 12 units from the following:

EDUC 7018 Neuroscience and Education (3 units)
EDUC 7060OL Mentoring for Teachers (3 units)
EDUC 7066 Leading Self and Others (3 units)
EDUC 7067OL Leading Wellbeing (3 units)
EDUC 7068 Leading Positive Change (3 units)

Research
All of the following:

Important note: students are required to take both Part 1 and the matching Part 2 course in consecutive semesters

EDUC 7033A Education Dissertation Part 1* (6 units)
EDUC 7033B Education Dissertation Part 2* (6 units)

Courses to the value of 6 units from the following:

EDUC 7020 Qualitative Approaches to Research (3 units)
EDUC 7021 Quantitative Approaches to Research (3 units)
EDUC 7055 Research Communication (3 units)

* Students intending to pursue Higher Degree by Research should complete a 12 unit dissertation (EDUC 7033A and EDUC 7033B) in lieu of the core course EDUC 7031. Students must also complete an additional 6 units from this Research specialisation.
 
English Language Teaching (ELT)

All of the following:

EDUC 7418 Language Analysis for English Language Teachers (3 units)
EDUC 7419 Intercultural competencies in English Language Teaching (3 units)
EDUC 7420 English Language Teaching in Practice (3 units)
EDUC 7421 English Language Teaching Methodology (3 units)

Electives
Students must complete electives up to the value of 6 units from:

EDUC 7016 Multicultural Society and Education Policy (3 units)
EDUC 7018 Neuroscience and Education
EDUC 7063 Online Learning

or

Courses listed in specialisations other than the one being studied.

or

Other postgraduate coursework courses deemed by the Faculty to be appropriate in Education including Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies, Languages, History, Geography, Psychology, English, Linguistics, Music and Business Studies. Prior approval from the Faculty is required.


Courses in the Master of Education are delivered as face-to-face, blended intensives - a combination of face-to-face and online study and fully remote courses.


Assessment

Seminar participation, reports, essays, research project, book reviews and examinations.

Further Study

Testimonial

Undertaking my first subject in the midst of a global pandemic was worlds apart from my last experience of tertiary learning! I'm loving being immersed in a culture of learning.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024