Master of Educational Leadership

Upon successful completion of the Master of Educational Leadership graduates will be able to:

1. Articulate and explain the purposes and practices of Catholic Education in contemporary settings 
2. Critically assess educational research, methods, and data to improve professional practice
3. Analyse and evaluate seminal and contemporary approaches to educational leadership theory, research, policy, and practice
4. Critically investigate how educational leadership influences positive, ethical, and sustainable educational mission 
5. Design and implement relevant professional leadership projects

The Master of Educational Leadership builds on the capabilities of current and aspiring educational leaders. The course is designed to support participants with varying leadership aspirations and career circumstances. Taught by active researchers and experienced practitioners, this course explicitly integrates theory, theology, ethics, philosophy and research to enable you to improve your educational leadership practice.

You will explore the purpose and task of education, and Catholic education in particular, as well as theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to your own school culture and context. 

CSP's are available for this course.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the Master of Educational Leadership, a  student must complete  120 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

1. 60 cp from Specified Units (Part A);
   1. 40 cp from Elective Units (Part B);
   2. 20 cp from Capstone  Units (Part C).

* Students may take Electives drawn from the  Schedule of Unit Offerings (listed) and/or other units drawn from relevant ACU  postgraduate programs; or by cross-institutional study with prior approval of  the Course Coordinator. A maximum of 40 cp of elective units can be at  500-level. See ACU website for more detail.

Award requirements

To qualify for the Master of Educational Leadership, a student must complete 120 cp from the schedule of subject offerings, consisting of:

• 60 cp from Specified Educational Leadership units;
• 40 cp from elective subjects;
• 20 cp from capstone subjects.

Exit points

A student who has completed 40 cp with 20 cp from specified units in the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership. A student who has completed 80 cp with 20cp from Specified Units and at least 20 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership.

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

Indicative total fee $6,936

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.

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.

Explore ACU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

35

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

26

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

• Admission Requirement A: A recognised teaching qualification and a minimum 3 years teaching experience; OR
• Admission Requirement B: Bachelor degree and a minimum of 3 years relevant leadership experience.

IELTS overall score of 7.0. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.

Students may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for this course.  Contact AskACU for more information.