Master of Education (Leadership)*

The Master of Education (Leadership) course is a one-year graduate-level course for school principals, people in school leadership positions, or those wishing to take on leadership responsibilities.

Course Description

Ready to expand your school-leadership potential? The Master of Education Leadership (MEd(Lead)) provides grounding in educational leadership theory and practice as understood from a biblical perspective. Our program encourages investigation into, and reflection on, current theory and practice, and where necessary, thoughtful deconstruction, and re-construction towards application in specific, local contexts. 

This course is designed to provide professional development and the upgrading of expertise and credentials to school leaders. It is academically rigorous and forms a biblical perspective on the philosophical foundations of education and educational leadership. While the course has been developed primarily for educators within the Christian Education National schools in Australia, the course may be undertaken by educators in other school systems in Australia, as well as by students studying online overseas.

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Course Structure

The course structure is based on two semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in each semester. It comprises:

  • 4 core subjects  (40 credit points)
  • 3 elective subjects (30 credit points)
  • 1 Capstone subject (or 20 cp Capstone subject and 20 cp Electives)

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Education (Leadership) a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 80 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Admissions

Academic

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary education is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the completion of at least an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in Education, or equivalent, or completion of a Level 8 or above equivalent postgraduate qualification by an authorised institution. Students who have completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree or overseas equivalent in a field other than Education must demonstrate two years professional experience relevant to the field.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Language

Overseas students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency skills. Such students admitted into our programs must attain an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 (with no score below 7.0 in any of the four skills areas). IELTS (or equivalent) is not required for applicants who have undertaken five years of required higher education study (or equivalent) in English from an approved country or who have completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification awarded in English under the Australian Qualification Framework by an authorised institution or registered training organisation.

Study Modes

Delivery Mode: Online
Locations: Online
Duration: 1 year full-time/up to 4 years part-time
Intakes: Semester 1, Semester 2

Fees & Timetable

A complete Fee Schedule for all Alphacrucis programs and courses can be found in our Fees Information section.

For a full list of course dates for new and continuing students please see our Timetables.

FEE-HELP is available for eligible students to assist you in financing your studies. For more information and other options, please visit the Financing Your Study page. For students who cannot access government loans, an alternative option is Study Loans, a private student loan provider. To learn more about loans provided by Study Loans, click here.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

Demonstrated:

  • advanced and integrated recognition of the diversity of life values that characterise today’s pluralist societies, and ability to encourage respect, based on informed understanding, of those who hold views that differ from those of the school community;
  • detailed understanding of the development of theological and anthropological perspectives on Christian educational leadership practice;
  • in-depth understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches within the discipline of educational leadership.

Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • critically evaluate and effectively communicate educational leadership theories and practices in order to most effectively achieve desired learning outcomes with special attention to embedded worldview and life values;
  • demonstrate the advanced level of knowledge and higher-order of skills that are required for effective Christian educational leadership in such areas as management, administration and research in order to develop, sustain and fulfil the vision and mission of particular school communities;
  • advanced ability to develop and implement a school-based research project that will provide a sound basis for the development of effective educational leadership practise based upon the philosophical assumptions of the school context and needs of students;
  • articulate a clear understanding of a biblical worldview, and its impact on philosophical and historical trends in educational leadership. Plan and implement educational leadership programs in the social and cultural context of the contemporary world that are critically shaped by a biblically informed experience of that world;
  • design and implement a capstone project which examines a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from educational leadership.

Application of Knowledge and Skills:

Demonstrated ability to:

  • display creativity and flexibility supported by biblically informed, rigorous reasoning in identifying and dealing with emerging problems in the educational leadership context;
  • develop a plan for continual personal development that includes spiritual, professional and interpersonal skills for effective school leadership and collegial academic engagement;
  • design and implement a major research project to advance personal and professional development, in order to thrive in educational leadership contexts.

Career Opportunities

This course aims to produce graduates who are competent and reflective professional education leaders who are equipped to engage in life-long learning in their educational profession. The Master of Education (Leadership) has been developed primarily for qualified school principals and those in school leadership positions within the Christian Education National schools in Australia, however, the course may be undertaken by education leaders in other school systems in Australia, as well as by students studying online overseas.

About NICE

*Through a Higher Education Third Party Arrangement (HETPA), the National Institute for Christian Education (NICE) delivers this course of study on AC’s behalf. NICE is a postgraduate training institute that has been developing  Christian educators since 1979. For more information about NICE, including the suite of courses they deliver, their teaching faculty, requirements for admission into this course of study, and information about fees and student services, please visit NICE’s website.

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Student Services

For more information on the suite of student support services available, please see our Student Services section.

CRICOS Course Code: 097941G