The Master of Education (MEd), is a Masters program by coursework in the School of Education. It provides an opportunity for motivated professionals concerned with educational practice to undertake advanced coursework in a field of particular interest to them and to gain an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification. A study of the advanced coursework units will provide students with knowledge and understandings across a range of specialist areas suited to each student's needs and choices. It will support graduates in professional advancement as teachers, leaders and administrators.

Note: The Master degree is not an introductory teaching qualification, nor is it a licence to teach.

Places in the program are available through competitive admission. Applicants are selected on the basis of academic background and professional experience.

Academic Qualifications

(i)  a Bachelor of Education degree; or
(ii) a Bachelor level degree in any other field, plus a Graduate Diploma of Education or equivalent.

Three year trained teachers with extensive professional experience may apply for special entry.

Professional Experience
Normally at least one year of relevant professional experience.

Additional Evidence
Applicants may be asked to provide evidence of the capacity to undertake advanced studies at postgraduate level.

Documentation relating to the applicant’s professional experience may be required.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously studied in an English medium university must provide evidence of their capacity to undertake advanced studies through English - “overall band minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 6.5)”. This evidence may include scores attained on TOEFL or IELTS examinations.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit for previous Postgraduate Studies

Students are encouraged to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) for professional learning programs they have participated in or conducted.

Students who have completed a level five ECU Graduate Certificate of Education normally gain entry into the MEd. with 4 units credit/advanced standing.  A maximum of four units credit can be gained for RPL and advanced standing for previous postgraduate studies.

All students are required to complete 120 credit points (8 units) in the degree.  Required units include an applied research methods/methods of investigation unit (RES5101) and an advanced seminar unit (EDU6195). Students can then choose any six other units drawn from a range of areas in the School of Education:

• Behaviour Management
• Educational Leadership
• Learning Difficulties
• Literacy Education
• Special Education
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Two independent studies units (EDU6188 and EDU6189) are available for students who wish to pursue an area of interest in some depth. These units involve the study of a selected topic of interest. Students may conduct a school/work-related project, a small piece of research or develop and/or evaluate an educational resource, such as a curriculum module, software package, assessment resource, policy document, or a reasoned professional reflection or critique.

It is recommended that students complete the two required units (RES5101 and EDU6195) and then select other units to complete their program. Students who wish to conduct small scale research as part of an independent study unit must complete the required units before attempting the independent study unit.