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.  

Deepen your expertise in educational leadership, policy, wellbeing and innovation. The Master of Education is designed for educators and professionals working across schools, tertiary settings, community organisations and government. Whether you're an experienced teacher, school leader, development officer or education professional, you'll strengthen your knowledge of contemporary education practice, research and reform.

Please note: 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, visit: Master of Primary Teaching (5587), Master of Secondary Teaching (5700) or Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (3327).

Highlights of studying the Master of Education

• Critically examine the purpose of education and explore how policy decisions influence learners, institutions and communities locally and globally.
• Develop advanced knowledge of educational leadership, policy and research.
• Build advanced research capability, analytical skills and strategic insight to lead improvement in complex learning environments.
• Engage with key concepts from education psychology, philosophy and neuroscience to better understand how learners develop, while applying sociological perspectives to address equity, access and inclusion.
• Flexible study options to support you to balance postgraduate education with professional commitments.
• You may be eligible for credit for recognised prior study or work experience, allowing you to complete your degree in as little as 1 year full-time. See entry requirements below.

Majors 

Align your studies with your professional goals through a choice of majors.

Leading in Education: Develop a broad and critical understanding of leadership across diverse educational contexts, examining the relationship between leadership, systems and policy at local and global levels. Analyse change management strategies, evaluate programs and performance, and strengthen your research, communication and critical analysis skills.

Wellbeing in Education: Explore the powerful role of positive psychology in learning, teaching and professional practice by critically evaluating theories of wellbeing in educational settings. Assess leadership approaches that support resilience and mental wellbeing and investigate evidence-based responses to issues such as trauma, family violence and contemporary perspectives on childhood and adolescence.

Digital Learning in Education: Examine the ongoing digital transformation of education and its impact on teaching, learning and professional practice. Explore online networks, emerging technologies and AI, while engaging with critical discussions around AI ethics and the societal implications of digital innovation.

International Studies in Education: Gain advanced insight into globalisation and international relations within educational contexts. Analyse global discourses across education, policy and leadership and build expertise in high-level communication. You may have the opportunity to undertake an approved course at a partner university overseas.

Culturally Responsive Studies in Education: Engage with education through the lenses of ethics, cultural safety, social equity and justice. Apply strength-based and culturally responsive frameworks, deepen your understanding of Indigenous knowledges and philosophies, and extend your capability in cross-cultural practice and protocols.

The two-year pathway also offers study options in Special Needs Education, Autism Studies, Early Childhood Studies* (non-ACECQA accredited) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), offered at Brisbane South (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.

Learn more about Griffith University

Explore Griffith University 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.