Master of Educational Leadership

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
084793M
IELTS
Overall score: 7.0. Individual score 6.0 in all tests
Fees (first year)*
$26848
Start dates
January 2025, January 2026

Overview

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.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • management and administration
  • educational leadership
  • policy development

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified UnitsEDLE650Foundations: Vision and Mission of Catholic Education in the Contemporary World10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEDLE654Leadership in Context: Educational Narratives and Literacies for Learning Communities10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEDLE652Educational Leadership as Vocation and Service10 cp
  • Elective Units

    Elective

    10cp cp
  • Specified UnitsEDLE651Leading Learning in Catholic Educational Communities and Cultures10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEDLE655Data Information Systems: Using Research and Data for Learning10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEDLE653Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership10 cp
  • Elective Units

    Elective

    10 cp

Commencing Semester 2

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

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.

Additional course information

On-campus units may be offered during regular semester or school holiday periods.


Entry requirements

View transparency admission information

International applicants

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a:

i. A recognised teaching qualification and a minimum 3 years of teaching experience; OR

ii.A Bachelor degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant leadership experience.

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

English language requirements

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

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.

Pathways

Further study

Graduates of this course may be eligible for entry into further postgraduate coursework degree programs and/or research higher degree, doctoral programs.

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $3356
  • Average first year fee: $26848
  • Estimate total cost: $40272

The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

How to apply

International applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Dr Paul Kidson

Head of Discipline Postgraduate Education, National School of Education

Dr Paul Kidson is Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership and the Head of Postgraduate Studies in the National School of Education. He has extensive school leadership and governance experience, including 11 years as a school principal, which informs the highly practical orientation of his academic research. In addition to his academic research and leadership, he is a member of Australian Council for Educational Leaders (NSW) Executive Committee, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors.

His research adopts holistic and interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on a range of academic disciplines and insights. Through this, he explores how school leaders work effectively within, and critically transform, their complex professional lives. This encompasses broader systems and policies which govern the work of educational leaders, as well as how school leaders develop and sustain their personal experience of leadership. He is part of a large-scale research projects on school leadership, and one of the lead researchers on Australia’s largest and longest running principal well-being research project, the Australian Principal Occupational Health and Well-being Survey. 

Professor Amanda Telford

Professor of Educational Leadership, National School of Education

Professor Amanda Telford is a teacher and researcher in health, wellbeing and educational leadership within the National School of Education. She is currently the National Course Coordinator of the Master of Education and has over two decades experience in senior learning and teaching leadership roles as a former secondary teacher and academic across four universities including: Associate Dean (Education) Deputy Head of School (Learning & Teaching), Interim Associate Dean (Partnerships) and Director/course coordinator across three universities. These senior academic leadership positions have enabled her to develop a deep understanding of policy, processes and regulatory requirements of universities and governing bodies. Prof. Telford is a multi- award-winning teacher, researcher and author, she has co-authored over 100 learning and teaching publications including over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 45 textbooks and book chapters used nationally and internationally at secondary and tertiary level. She has collaborated on more than 40 research projects with a learning and teaching, physical activity, physical education and/or wellbeing focus. The CLASS instrument she developed as part of her PhD to assess children's physical activity and sedentary behaviour is used in over 40 countries. Prof. Telford was a Chief Investigator on the ARC funded 'Girls Get Going' study and more recently the NHMRC funded 'TransformUs' project designed to revolutionize the classroom through movement which has already reached over 500 schools. 

Testimonial

Hanar

“I believe in education and its power to change the world and this course is giving me the knowledge and skills to serve my mission with love and authenticity. Every child has the right to an education. My goals are to take what I am learning at ACU with the hope of inspiring and providing a better learning opportunity for children and women in my community.”

Hanar
Educational leadership graduate
 

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