If you're a teacher or other educator, you know the value of personal and professional development. Let's explore the best Master of Education online degrees in Australia.
Advance your career with a 100% online Master's in Education. An M.Ed. gives you the skills and credentials to take on bigger roles. Graduates are skilled educators who do well in school teaching, administration and workplace training.
A Masters in Education online is a program of 8-12 subjects that you can complete in 16-24 months of part-time study. The degree is a career development opportunity for professionals already involved in education, including current schoolteachers. You can choose your preferred specialisation.
Top 10 Online Masters in Education
ECU Master of Education (Early Childhood Education)
The Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) from Edith Cowan University is an accelerated, 100% online course for already qualified teachers. The 8-subject program prepares you to be an outstanding leader and expert in this field. Accelerated learning is available, meaning you can study part-time and finish inside 16 months. The degree covers topics such as language and literacy, the theory and practice of leading in early years, contemporary issues, and leading family and community in the early years (0-8).
ECU Master of Education (Leading Education)
For current and future school leaders, Edith Cowan University has an education master's degree with a Leading Education specialisation. The 8-subject program explores how to lead staff, engage the community, improve learning outcomes, and lead under challenging circumstances. You can earn the online degree over 16 months of part-time study, completing a unit every 2 months. The university is a specialist in the education field, having started as a teachers' college in 1902. ECU consistently receives excellent ratings for teaching quality in graduate surveys.
UTS Master of Education (Learning and Leadership)
The 100% online Master of Education (Learning and Leadership) is designed for education and training professionals looking to support and lead innovation in learning across school and higher education institutions, and in learning and development in corporate, public and community settings. Through this course, you will learn how to design learning for diverse environments and create improvements applicable to your professional setting. You will be introduced to cutting-edge and critical approaches to innovation and develop the leadership capabilities to initiate and support learning transformation in your organisation.
SCU Master of Education (Educational Leadership)
Southern Cross University ticks all the boxes for a well-rounded education degree. You can do a graduate certificate (4 subjects) or masters (8 subjects) fully online. Students do subject unit at a time, each taking around 7 weeks. There's a short break before you move to the next one. By studying this way, you can complete a full masters in 16 months of low-stress, part-time study. SCU Online's affordable program is delivered on a modern platform. The Educational Leadership specialisation strengthens your administration and management skills. Topics include human resource management, accounting for managers, evaluation for improved teaching and learning, and positive leadership.
SCU Master of Education (Educational Inclusion and Diversity)
You can study Educational Inclusion and Diversity within Southern Cross University's education master's. The 100% online course helps education graduates to positively impact Australia's schooling system. Students gain a greater appreciation of diversity in the student population, learn how to promote the social and emotional wellbeing of students, cultivate a philosophy and strategy to deliver inclusive education, and explore how to use digital technologies to support student participation. The affordable 8-subject degree can be completed over 16 months of part-time learning.
SCU Master of Education (Educational Wellbeing)
Become an expert on maximising student wellbeing with the Master of Education (Educational Wellbeing) from Southern Cross University. Four of the eight subjects in the specialist program are about the welfare of students. You 'll learn to appreciate diversity among students, including with respect to special needs, language barriers and cultural differences. As well, you'll gain instruction in how to support students in difficulty, provide leadership on wellbeing issues, and develop social and emotional health strategies. The 100% online degree is among the most affordable in Australia.
UniSQ Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling)
The Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) from the University of Southern Queensland is for school teachers wanting to work as a guidance officer, school counsellor or other education leader. You'll learn how to advise young people and work with stakeholders to achieve positive education, career and life outcomes. The 12-subject program explores topics such as individual assessment, communication and consultation, career development, child abuse prevention, and emotional and behavioural problems. Commonwealth Supported Places are available to reduce tuition fees.
UNE Master of Education (Digital Learning)
The Master of Education (Digital Learning) from the University of New England explores e-learning topics, such as the use of technology in education, inclusion and access in online spaces, developing learning communities, learning analytics, and designing effective learning experiences with technology. As a student in this program, you'll be able to fit study around work and other commitments. Full and part-time study modes are available, and most participants study online. The degree will develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and communication skills.
Torrens Master of Education (Special Education)
The Master of Education (Special Education) trains current teachers and other educators to support people with special learning needs in mainstream classrooms. The program focuses on the topics of Autism, Mental Health and Learning. The autism stream builds skills in supporting autistic students; the mental health stream explores issues such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders; and the learning stream examines evidence-based practice for helping students with different learning needs. The 12-subject course is available online and in Sydney and Melbourne. Study full time or part time.
ACU Master of Religious Education
The Master of Religious Education from the Australian Catholic University consists of 12 subjects and is only available online. You can choose subjects to meet your learning and career goals, with units broadly grouped into religious education, theological studies, research and related courses. Professional recognition of your qualification may depend on the requirements of the locale where you wish to teach. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant Catholic or state education office.
Types of Education Masters Degrees
To further your career, different types of Master of Education degrees are available. From teaching secondary students to working with young children, leading in education, or supporting kids with special needs, there's a degree to achieve your goals.
Teaching Degrees
If you're not a qualified teacher but want to become one, you can do a Master of Teaching (MTeach). A teaching degree is different from the education degrees we've explored so far, with M.Ed. courses meant for current teachers and other education professionals.
In Australia, there are two common graduate degrees that qualify someone to teach in classrooms: Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary). A teaching degree will prepare you to teach in primary and/or secondary schools. Programs may also provide specialised training in specific subject areas. To be eligible, you typically need a bachelor's degree in any discipline... READ MORE
Digital Learning
Digital learning is obviously a big part of the future of education. Studying for an advanced degree with a specialisation in this field has to be a good investment. You'll gain knowledge and skills that can be used not only in teaching, but also in research, program development and leadership roles. Students learn about instruction methods, how to best use new technologies, and the insights to be gained from learning analytics.
Early Childhood
A Master of Early Childhood Education is a professional development course for graduates with practical teaching experience. You explore how to optimally work with young children aged from 0 to 8 years. The degree opens up career opportunities in primary and early childhood settings.
Educational Leadership
A Masters of Educational Leadership prepares you to lead and manage in an education setting, such as an early learning centre, school, college, university or the workplace. The postgrad degree combines your existing professional experience with theory and applied instruction. You should graduate as a more confident and capable leader.
Guidance and Counselling
To work as a guidance officer, guidance counsellor or similar in Australian schools, you need to be an appropriately qualified teacher. Gain the counselling skills and qualifications you need with a Masters in Guidance and Counselling.
Inclusive Education
Inclusive education is a specialisation you may want to consider as part of a Masters in Education. You learn how to facilitate access and full participation of students in learning, overcoming potential challenges due to varying backgrounds and abilities. Graduates can apply their skills in the classroom and across the broader school community.
Religious Education
If you have a keen interest in religious education, you can cultivate that into subject expertise with a Master of Religious Education. To be admitted, you should be a qualified school teacher or otherwise have a strong educational background. Graduates may work in school teaching, education administration or research, curriculum development, or policy making.
Special Ed
A Master of Special Education helps classroom teachers build skills and knowledge to support kids with special needs. Learning to overcome learning challenges is useful training for any classroom teacher, whether you have one special needs student in your class or are a specialist in this field.
Student Wellbeing
The wellbeing of students and positive mental health is a field you can major in as part of a Masters of Education in Australia. The specialisation is useful for any teacher and for other school staff, including those in designated wellbeing roles. Recognising that a school is much more than just a place of learning, you explore how to enhance the social and emotional welfare of students.
What You'll Study (Course Structure)
For qualified teachers, an education masters normally consists of 8 subjects. To specialise in a given field, you may need to complete the program's core subjects plus the electives in your specialist study stream. Here are example course structures from three universities.
At Edith Cowan University, the programs consist of four core and four specialist subjects.
Core
- Leading Education in a Global Context
- Assessment in Education: Policies, Pedagogy and Equity
- Inquiry-Based Practice
- Advanced Seminar
Early Childhood specialisation
- Leading Early Childhood Pedagogy and Practice (0-8 years)
- Leading Family and Community in the Early Years (0-8 years)
- Contemporary Issues in ECE
- Language and Literacy in EC
Leading Education specialisation
- Leading Under Challenging Circumstances
- Leading for Improvement
- Leading Staff
- Leading Community Engagement
Students complete 4 core units and 4 electives. Choose electives across any specialisation for a generalist degree. To specialise in Leadership, Wellbeing, or Inclusion and Diversity, you need to complete specific electives.
Core subjects
- Contemporary Educational Leadership
- Contemporary Educational Contexts
- Leading Professional Learning
- Educational Investigation
Electives
- Accounting for Managers
- Human Resource Management
- The Positive Leader
- Evaluation for Improved Teaching and Learning
- Supporting Students in Difficult Times
- Valuing Diversity
- Educational Leadership and Wellbeing
- Enhancing Student Wellbeing
The Learning and Leadership course consists of 12 online subjects: 9 core units and 3 electives.
If you have teacher education qualifications, you may be eligible to gain credit for 4 subjects.
Core subjects
- Learning and its Trajectories
- Designing Innovative Learning
- Leading Learning
- Learning in the Digital Age
- Professional Learning and Practice
- Leading Innovative Practices
- Evaluating Learning and Innovation
- Research Practices
- Investigating Learning and Innovation Project
Electives
- Strategic Learning in Workplaces
- Mentoring in the Workplace
- Data Ethics and Regulation
- Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care
A one-year Master of Education online?
School teachers and other educators often hope to earn a Masters of Education online in just 1 year. The only way to do this is to study full time, which is impractical for most people.
The best online programs instead allow you to earn a degree over 16 to 24 months while studying part-time. A shortish part-time program is made possible by accelerated learning.
- Distance learning courses are made available continuously, including over the summer months. Education students complete a subject every 2 months.
- An 8-subject degree may be achieved in 8 x 2 months, which is 16 months.
The accelerated, part-time arrangement is generally considered better than a 1-year online course. The degree is 16 months or more but you only have to do one subject at a time.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes depend on the program and your chosen area of specialisation. M.Ed. programmes are a blend of core subjects and electives, with groups of electives forming majors. Broadly, however, you can expect to achieve the following.
Specialist knowledge
You'll gain specialist knowledge in your chosen field of specialisation. That could be in areas such as school counselling, leadership, cultural awareness, enhancing student welfare, and strategies for organisational learning.
Lifelong learning and research skills
Almost all programs make research and self-directed learning a priority in the curriculum. Expect to explore topics such as inquiry-based practice, educational investigation, professional learning and practice, and learning in the digital age.
Confidence and leadership
A Master of Education degree is an impressive qualification that will expand your opportunities and give you the confidence to strive for more out of your career. As well, you may hone your management and leadership style by formally studying leadership principles and methods.
Career Opportunities
Today's online Master of Education degrees target skills and knowledge, including leadership strategies, that are directly relevant to education delivery and management in Australia. Online learning has a student-first approach. You can balance M.Ed. study with other life commitments.
By completing a program, you benefit by refreshing and enhancing existing skills. You also acquire knowledge and skills in new areas. And, after re-examining the methods and goals of instruction, your motivation for teaching may grow.
Job opportunities depend on your career path and goals. Some of the senior roles taken by graduates include lead teacher, principal, education consultant, education researcher, program manager, learning designer, corporate learning manager, and head of learning and development.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements vary by course type. For courses aimed at qualified teachers, education credentials equal or comparable to a 4-year Bachelor of Education may be required. Other programs have alternative entry paths based on professional experience.
Here are examples of course admission requirements. Enquire for further details.
Course admission requirements are a Bachelor of Education OR a bachelor's degree in any other field plus a Graduate Diploma of Education or Master of Teaching. You also require 2 years experience in an educational setting or organisation.
Special entry may be considered for students with a bachelor degree in another area or a 3-year trained teacher, both supported by extensive professional experience.
You need a four-year Bachelor of Education degree or equivalent OR a bachelor degree and a 4th-year level teaching qualification or equivalent OR a 3-year bachelor degree in Teaching and an education-specific graduate certificate.
Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree or an equivalent or higher qualification OR submitted evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrate potential to pursue postgraduate study.
For applicants with an academic qualification, the applicant must have at least two years' professional work experience.
Applicants who don't satisfy these requirements may still be considered based on assessment of a CV and personal statement outlining your interest in, and understanding of, the course.
Graduate certificate pathways: Master's degree pathways are available via the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning and Leadership) or Graduate Certificate in Professional and Organisational Learning.
FAQs
A Masters of Education in Australia generally costs in the range of $20,960 to $33,000.
We looked at the programs from three universities and tuition fees per subject for 2023 were all similar, at $2,620, $2,631 and $2,750.
What really makes a difference is the number of subjects you study. Eight subjects at $2,620 per subjects works out to $20,960. On the other hand, 12 subjects at $2,750 produces a total course fee of $33,000.
The length of your course depends on program rules, including advanced standing for prior education and experience. But most qualified teachers should be able to find an 8-subject program for them.
For Australian and New Zealand citizens, FEE-HELP loans are available to reduce up-front costs to essentially nothing.
Yes and No.
For many M.Ed. programs, an education background in essential since the course is concerned with teaching, schooling or education management.
But some programs don't require you to have any particular background. An example is the Learning and Leadership course from UTS Online, which is aimed at workplace trainers among others.
An 8-subject M.Ed. can be completed in 1 year full time. A 12-subject degree represents 1.5 years of full-time study.
Online accelerated programs make it possible to finish in a reasonable timeframe while working full time. Allow two months per subject, meaning course duration is 16 to 24 months of part-time study.
A master's degree in education can provide a number of benefits for existing teachers in Australia. Some of the potential advantages include:
- increased knowledge and understanding of pedagogical theories and best practices;
- the ability to specialise in a particular subject or area of education;
- potential career advancement opportunities, such as becoming a lead teacher or education administrator; and
- higher salaries.
Overall, an education master degree can be a valuable investment for someone looking to advance their teaching career and improve their effectiveness in the classroom.
