Master of Education

Successful completion of this program will better equip graduates for a rewarding and productive career in a range of educational settings. You will be in a better position to meet individual professional learning and research development needs and may have the opportunity to work within Australia and throughout the world.

A variety of employment opportunities exist for Master of Education graduates, including: leading curriculum innovators, learning and teaching specialists, learning support teachers, educational administration, training and development, leading teacher, educational management consultant, teacher in adult and community education, specialist practitioner consultant, policy and planning officer, education officer, school principal, vice-principal and lecturer/tutor.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Master of Education , applicants must have:

• a Bachelor degree in non-related discipline from a recognised tertiary institution.
• OR a Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Education (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching or an ACER Graduate Certificate in Education - Assessment of Student Learning or a Bachelor degree in a related discipline (for example, in Learning and Development) from a recognised tertiary institution - these students will be eligible for 40 credit points of advanced standing.
• OR have a combination of alternative admission criteria such as formal, informal and non-formal learning deemed to be equivalent to the above - these students may be eligible for up to 40 credit points of credit.

English Proficiency Requirements

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.

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

Practicum placement

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

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. 

This degree delivers advanced professional learning for teachers and those with a professional involvement in education including school bursars, school development officers and training personnel. It will help you develop greater expertise in educational practice or research and can contribute to current teachers' professional development requirements.

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.

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

• Autism Studies
• Early Childhood Studies (not accredited with ACECQA)
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Technology
• Learning and Professional Development
• Special Needs Education
• Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Wellbeing in Education

Recommended Study Pattern

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

• Understanding Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment in Educational Contexts

• Understanding Research 

• Learning and Teaching in Global Communities

• Leading Learning and Change

Plus there’s a selection of 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

Standard pathway

To be eligible for the award of Master of Education (MEd), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:

• 60 credit points of core courses;
• 40 credit points for one major OR 40 credit points from across the majors;
• 40 credit points for a second major OR electives;
• 20 credit points of electives.

To be eligible for the award of Master of Education (MEd), a student admitted with 40 credit points of advanced standing must successfully complete 120 credit points as prescribed below:

• 20 credit points of core educational research courses;
• 40 credit points for one major OR 40 credit points from across the majors;
• 40 credit points for a second major OR electives;
• 20 credit points of electives.

Research pathway

To be eligible for the award of Master of Education (MEd), a student must successfully complete 160 credit points as prescribed below:

• 70 credit points of core courses;
• 10 credit points for an elective;
• 40 credit points for one major OR 40 credit points from across the majors;
• 40 credit points for the research courses OR electives.

To be eligible for the award of Master of Education (MEd), a student admitted with 40 credit points of advanced standing must successfully complete 120 credit points as prescribed below:

• 40 credit points for one major OR 40 credit points from across the majors;
• 40 credit points of core educational research courses;
• 40 credit points for the research courses OR electives.

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.