Graduate Certificate in Education Research

Upon successful completion, students should be able to:

1. Critically assess educational research, methods and data to improve professional practice.
2. Develop advanced skills in collaborative professional learning methods and practices.
3. Analyse and synthesise relevant concepts, theories and current debates and apply this to enhance or innovate professional practice.

The Graduate Certificate in Education Research offers an effective pathway for students wanting to take the next step in their career and become eligible to apply for PhD studies in Education. Offered fully online this course provides the required research training to enable students who have not completed honours degrees or master’s by research to qualify to apply for a higher degree by research program.

To prepare for potential doctoral research in Education students need to be able to identify, respond to and solve complex and emerging professional problems in education. This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore and advance their research skills and create new knowledge in a capstone research project that responds to issues and challenges relevant to their profession or disciplinary field as part of this degree.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• EDRS550 Literature Reviews for Educational Research
• EDRS651 Educational Research Methods
• EDCP652 Capstone Project in Education Research

Plus a choice of electives. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award a student must complete 40cp from the schedule of unit offerings:

• 20cp of Research Methods units (Part A)
• 20cp of Capstone unit (Part B)

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $2,368

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Established in 1991 after amalgamating four eastern Australian Catholic tertiary institutes, Australian Catholic University now has seven campuses, from Brisbane to Melbourne and welcomes students of all beliefs. Specialising in arts, business, education, health sciences, law, theology and philosophy, ACU encourages its students to think critically and ethically and bring change to their communities and offer this online through Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about ACU.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

33

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

27

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

• Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor Degree in Education; or a Bachelor degree equivalent to an Australian Bachelor Degree and a recognised teaching qualification .

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.