Master of Education

The Master of Education is a course designed for professional educators who shall be admitted on the basis of their prior qualifications and who, in most cases, will be working in school settings.

Successful completion of this course will deepen students' knowledge in a range of educational disciplines and engage students with contemporary practice and theory in those disciplines.

The course has, in addition to an undesignated program pathway with a large range of curriculum options, specialisations that are designed to meet the needs of educators in a variety of professional contexts.

These specialisations are:

eLearning, Indigenous Australian Education, Special Education, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (also known as Teaching English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)).The design of the Master of Education includes a nested program of Graduate Certificates that provide optional exit points.

The course, with its focus on the needs of busy professionals, is available in full and part time mode using a variety of online learning technologies.The Master of Education (Special Education) is an approved Student Income Support course.

Eligible students may apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy.

Course Aims

This course aims to provide professional educators with specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice, scholarship, research and/or further learning. It is a flexible distance education program which allows students to study in a particular specialty area or to choose from a wide range of electives that suit particular learning needs.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge of education as an academic discipline, including knowledge of education research principles and methods; demonstrate specialised cognitive and technical skills in analysing complex information, researching and applying current and relevant research literature in their field of study; apply knowledge and skills in the discipline of education to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility to their professional situation; develop a personal theory of education as it relates to their field of study; conduct research pertaining to a particular aspect of education that draws together skills, knowledge and understanding acquired during the course of their studies; and be effective communicators of education by communicating ideas and research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a variety of written and oral communication modes.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will be able to demonstrate a command of a significant body of knowledge in a range of areas related to education, and be able to explain, and apply relevant theories and frameworks across the spectrum of educational specialisations. They will be able to demonstrate a global understanding and philosophical awareness of the global context of education and apply their skills effectively in a multicultural or global context. Communication Skills Graduates will be able to present well-reasoned arguments coherently and confidently across the broad range of professional and academic education studies both online and in written or oral form for specialist and peer review as well as for general audiences. Problem Solving Graduates will demonstrate an intellectual curiosity to enable them to apply logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems; to critically engage with research issues and will have the ability to formulate a range of solutions that are appropriate to the national or cultural context of the problem. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to acquire, evaluate and use information with understanding while demonstrating an awareness of the cultural, ethical, economic, legal and social issues surrounding its use; and be able to organise and present information using technology. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates of this course will demonstrate ethical action and social responsibility and a respect for, and acknowledgement of, ideas and knowledge of others; they will acknowledge the social and ethical implications of their actions; recognise social justice issues relevant to their discipline and professional area and demonstrate a high level of personal autonomy and accountability. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have the ability to reflect on and evaluate their current knowledge; to identify, evaluate and implement personal learning strategies for lifelong personal and professional development; to learn new skills and recognise opportunities for further learning in both familiar and unfamiliar national or cultural settings. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be able to independently apply their knowledge and skills in their professional practice. They will be able to work collaboratively and network effectively to achieve common goals and to solve problems; appreciate cultural differences in collaborative work; and use initiative while operating in a range of supportive and leadership roles within teams.