Master of Education

Graduates of the Master of Education will have:

1. Cognitive, creative, technical and analytical knowledge of research methodologies and skills
2. Advanced knowledges that are able to synthesise, respond and contribute to discourses, debates and issues of relevance to education in Australia and internationally.  

The Master of Education is designed to advance your knowledge and expertise in the field of education. Whether you're a seasoned educator, school bursar or development officer, or a professional in a related field, you'll develop greater expertise in educational practice, leadership and research.

Join a global community of learners and gain access to a wealth of resources and opportunities for professional growth and development. The Master of Education may also contribute to current teachers' professional development requirements.

With courses designed to meet the evolving needs of educators and professionals, this degree allows you to balance your studies with your professional commitments.

The Master of Education is not designed to lead to initial teacher registration (Primary or Secondary) or accreditation as an Early Childhood Education and Care teacher. If your goal is registration or accreditation in one of these areas, check out our Master of Primary Teaching (5587), Master of Secondary Teaching (5700) or Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (3327) programs.

Flexible study options include online or on-campus study in intensive, full-time or part-time modes where the program structure allows.

Majors

Depending on your career aspirations and interests, you can complete majors in the following areas:

Leading in Education

This major introduces you to broad understandings of leading in education across diverse professional settings. You will:

• Explore the relationship between leadership and education at both structural and policy levels.
• Investigate the impact of education policies both locally and globally. 
• Examine change management strategies, as well as a range of approaches to evaluate programs and measure performance.
• Build your skills in research, communication and critical analysis.

Wellbeing in Education

Positive psychology has powerful implications for learning, teaching and professional development. In this major you will:

• Critically evaluate theories of wellbeing in the context of education and learning. 
• Conduct an evaluation of leadership styles, strategies, and practices and how they support and sustain mental wellbeing and resilience in people, organisations, and institutions. 
• Discover contemporary notions of childhood, adolescence, family and parenting and how they can be applied in the education, legal, and community services sectors. 
• Explore new, evidence-backed ways to tackle key issues such as mental wellbeing, trauma and family violence. 

Digital Learning in Education

Over the last 30 years there has been a digital evolution of educational technologies. In this major you will:

• Examine the constant digital shift and its impact on teaching and learning.
• Explore strategies and practices to support individuals through the ever-evolving relationship between learning and the online environment.
• Examine how a professional learns through social mediated networks online and how this impacts educational practices.
• Explore the dynamic world of artificial intelligence (AI) and engage in thought-provoking discussions on AI ethics and its profound societal impact. 

International Studies in Education

Explore current perspectives on globalisation, ethics in international relations and plurilingualism. In this major you'll:

• Investigate discourses in global settings including education, legislation, leadership, and health. 
• Learn how to implement clear and explicit communication in education, leadership roles and high-pressure situations.
• Gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the economic political and cultural dimensions of globalisation. 
• Have the chance to study an approved course in another (global) university.

Culturally Responsive Studies in Education

Through the lens of ethics, cultural safety, social equity and social justice, in this major you'll:

• Adopt cultural strength-based approaches and frameworks in education and professional studies. 
• Learn ways of seeing, being and doing that strongly align with the knowledges and philosophy of Indigenous peoples. 
• Consider how cultural identities influence and impact learning.
• Implement cross-cultural understandings and extend your knowledge of cultural protocols.

The 2 year program also allows for studies in Special Needs Education, Autism Studies, Early Childhood studies* (not accredited with ACECQA), or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (offered at Nathan and online). 

* Does not lead to accreditation as an Early Childhood Education and Care teacher. If your goal is accreditation, please consider the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (3327).

Recommended study pattern

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

• Academic Research, Reading, and Writing in Education
• Understanding Research 
• Critical Thinking for Education Studies
• Practitioner researchers and the teaching and learning cycle

Plus there’s a selection of five majors and electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Education (MEd), you must successfully Complete 160 credit points for one of the following:

• 160 credit points for all Pathway 1 - duration 1 year (80CP of study and 80CP for prior learning), or
• 160 credit points for all Pathway 2 - duration 1.5 years (120CP of study and 40CP for prior learning), or
• 160 credit points for all Pathway 3 - duration 2 years (160CP study)

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3385 - Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies award, you must successfully complete 40 credit points of courses as specified in this program.

To be eligible to exit with the 4205 - Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies award, you must successfully complete 80 credit points of courses as specified in this program.

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

Indicative total fee $12,400

The amounts shown here are 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.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

Explore Griffith courses.

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

You can complete this program in 1 year, 1.5 years or 2 years depending on your prior study and work experience

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

1 year duration (80CP):

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline and two years relevant work experience

1.5 year duration (120CP)

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) and two years relevant work experience

2 year duration (160CP)

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• five years relevant work experience
• a combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal, and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to either of the above criteria

Related discipline includes education, teaching (early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary), training, learning & development

• Relevant work experience includes school settings (primary, secondary, vocational), early childhood, special education, TAFE/higher education, workplace learning design, community-based education, education policy, learning design or education technology roles

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following University procedure for exceptions to these overall requirements:

• Admission Procedure

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including: 

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE. 
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training. 
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.