Master of Educational Leadership

The Master of Educational Leadership will suit educational leaders in schools and educational settings, seeking career advancement and specialised educational leadership, underpinned by research-informed initiatives and pedagogy. This course is aligned with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Professional Standards for Principals.

During your course, you will examine the responsibilities of educational leaders and their role in effectively managing change and seeking opportunities to innovate. You will develop an advanced understanding and critical knowledge of creating and maintaining professional learning communities including community engagement, negotiation and managing competing interests. You will explore, critique and apply contemporary leadership ideas and strategies to promote advocacy, facilitate change initiatives and evaluate educational performance against relevant educational policies and frameworks. Designed with three research-focused units, this course will prepare you for research in educational contexts. In the course, you will also examine quality models in Educational Neuroscience exemplified by ‘The Icecap model’ in Neuroleadership. From these, you will also learn practical strategies for professionals and leaders that can be used immediately. You will learn about contemporary evidence from cutting-edge research using brain-friendly principles and cover topics including brain architecture, neuroplasticity, genes, epigenetics, maintaining a healthy brain, and the science of learning. Your studies culminate in a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.

Delivered entirely online, you will benefit from a hyperflexible delivery meaning you can study at your own pace, access your learning material anytime, and tailor your learning to an educational context of your choosing. Whether you choose to study full-time and complete the Master of Educational Leadership in 12 months, or part-time at a pace that fits your needs, you'll be supported by a dedicated academic staff member. 

A recommended study sequence allows students to scaffold your learning and satisfy the Graduate Certificate of Educational Leadership after completion of the first four units. Each unit is made up of approximately three modules, which can each be studied as a standalone micro-credential within a professional learning context.   

BE DIFFERENT LEARNING PLATFORM
Ideal for the busy, self-motivated learner, this course is hosted entirely online and structured so that you can choose when you study. This course is designed for you to access course content on any device with internet access.

Unit content is divided into modules which are then broken down into smaller bite-sized learning activities so you’re able to fit study around your commitments and lifestyle. Complete modules on the bus, during your lunch hour, or in the doctor’s waiting room.

With no need to buy textbooks or additional content, and everything you need available on the Be Different platform and internet, you can be completing your studies anywhere.

To be eligible for entry into this course, applicants must hold one of the following:

• A completed Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent Bachelor degree or higher equivalent qualification, with a minimum of three years' relevant* experience in an educational setting; or
• A completed AQF equivalent Initial Teaching Education (ITE) course with evidence of three years' registered teaching experience within Australia or equivalent; or
• A completed CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership or equivalent qualification.

*Relevant work experience includes employment in a teaching or educational setting (which can include early childhood education, guidance counsellor or corporate settings which have a strong educational focus).

Employment experience must be shown in a letter of employment which is presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service.

Applicants who hold other relevant qualifications with extensive employment experience in an educational setting may be referred to the Head of Course for consideration of admission.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. 

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

• A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
• An Australian Qualifications Framework (QF) diploma level qualification, or
• Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
• An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers. This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

The Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation (GCSI) focuses on building the professional capacity of managers and social entrepreneurs of the future, across the corporate, government and third (not-for-profit) sectors. Student will learn to lead organisations creating social and environmental value, and their ability to operate in a changed cross-sector social landscape, where the dynamism of the market is also directed at social innovation. Specifically student may seek employment in consulting and advising on business performance and improvements including:

• social project design and management
• new social ventures developments, international venture assessment and capital raising in a social context
  
• corporate social innovation and social entrepreneurship
  
• social incubator and technological innovation, support services to new ventures, in Not For Profit and small to medium enterprise (SME) sector
  
• design and development of teams and team dynamics working in social innovation Launchpad environments
  

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

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

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• Check entry requirements.
• Check your eligibility for credit.
• Apply online
• Obtain certified documents.
• Submit your application and documents.