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.
Ready to take the next step in your career and become a leader in the field of Education? JCUâs 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.
JCUâs 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 communitiesâ 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 Universityâs 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 Masterâs 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 youâre most passionate about by studying for JCUâs Masterâs 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 youâre 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 masterâs 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 Masterâs 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 youâre looking for a masterâs in Education in Queensland, choose JCU. Apply for the next intake through JCUâs 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.