Master of Religious Education

This is a relevant, flexible and challenging masters degree that produces graduates who can:

• access and communicate Christian and other religious traditions effectively
• explore and critique issues in the literature of religious education
• contribute to the professional discussion and writing in the field of religious education
• lead others in their professional development in RE curriculum, pedagogy and assessment
• demonstrate familiarity with creative approaches to religious education
• assess the influence of cultural and historical factors in the development of religious education

The Master of Religious Education is for those with a special interest in religious education at school, parish, or diocesan level. It will enable religious educators to become thinkers, researchers, evaluators and leaders in their field.

Recommended study pattern

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

• Issues in the Teaching and Coordination of School Religious Education
• Faith, Moral Development and Values Education
• Educating for Social Justice
• Spirituality and Religious Education

Plus there’s a selection of 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

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

• 40-50cp from Religious Education subjects (600 level);
• 30cp from Research subjects;
• 40-50cp from Electives*

* (students may also include electives from other ACU Postgraduate programs with the prior approval of the course coordinator).

Exit points

• A student who has completed 40cp from the schedule of unit offerings may exist with a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education.
• A student who has completed 80cp from the schedule of unit offerings may exist with a Graduate Diploma in Religious Education.

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

Indicative total fee $33,351

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:

• Bachelor degree in education; or
• Bachelor degree in an area other than education; and
  • a recognised teaching qualification; or
  • a Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies or equivalent.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - overall score of 7.0.Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) - 68 with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills

Test of English as a Foreign Language - Academic (TOEFL) - Internet based total of 100: minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 20 in reading and 19 in listening

ACU English Language Test - A (75-100%)

Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) - Overall CAE 185. Minimum individual scores of 169 in all tests.

If you have already studied at university level and/or gained relevant skills, knowledge and/or competencies through pathways other than formal study (e.g. substantial work experience within the past 10 years), you may be eligible to receive some credit towards your course. Credited units replace units you would otherwise study, so you can finish your course earlier.