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.

Are you looking to lead and influence change in education?

The Master of Educational Leadership is for aspiring educational leaders with an appetite to develop and expand lead effectiveness. Designed to support participants with varying leadership and career ambitions, this tailored degree is taught by active researchers and experienced practitioners integrating theory, theology, ethics, philosophy and research to enable you to improve your educational leadership practice.

You will delve into new ways of thinking about the purpose and task of education, and contemporary Catholic education in particular, utilising philosophical and ethical tools and processes, exploring theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and how to apply them appropriately to your own school culture and context.

Students will graduate with the skills, knowledge and networks required to connect, inspire and shape changing educational environments in positive and inclusive ways.

The Master of Educational Leadership is not an initial teaching qualification.

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:

• 60 cp from Specified Units (Part A)
• 40 cp from Elective Units (Part B)
• 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 $9,808

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.

Australian Catholic University – So much more

An Australian Catholic University (ACU) education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.

ACU aims to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. It is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.

Learn more about Australian Catholic University

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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:

• 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.

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.