Master of Education (Leadership and Learning)
2026 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Education (Leadership and Learning) |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Deakin course code | E725 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2023 onwards |
| Campus | This course is only offered Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent* *Dependant upon chosen research pathway, PhD pathway is delivered via 2 years part-time study. |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9 |
| Supplementary Information | This is not an initial teacher education qualification. Students wishing to enter the profession of teaching should instead consider one of our Master of Teaching courses |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Academic requirements
- Research information
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
The Master of Education (Leadership and Learning) is a postgraduate degree for qualified teachers and educators looking to develop and enhance leadership capabilities.
Are you ready to lead and inspire change in education?
Leaders in education are challenged to inspire new ways of thinking and learning in our communities. They foster growth and development of educational organisations in ways that are responsive to global and local issues. Studying a Master of Education (Leadership and Learning) is an opportunity to make a real difference in your organisation.
Your interest and passion for educational leadership will be explored through practical learning experiences, supported by teaching staff with extensive research and education expertise.
You will study eight units in total which can be completed in as little as 12-months if studied full-time, or 2 years if studied part-time, depending on your individual course plan.
The four core units for this course have been designed to build your knowledge and skills in relation to (i) educational context, policy and leadership in challenging times, (ii) evidence, analysis and evaluation for educational improvement, (iii) leadership for staff development and well-being, and (iv) leading and managing innovation, change and improvement.
You will be able to complete the full complement of eight units by selecting unit sequences chosen from additional combinations of research preparation units and a range of specialist elective studies. The course provides a pathway to PhD if you are interested in furthering your research.
Help build the knowledge, skills and networks necessary for inspiring and innovative leaders in education.
Career opportunities
- Looking for career progression in the education sector?
- Are you an emerging or experienced educational leader ready to be challenged?
With employment in Education and Training projected to grow by 149,600 by November 2026* there has never been a greater need for leaders in education.
Working across a broad range of educational contexts, including schools, early childhood education, higher education, vocational and professional education Deakin understands the career opportunities are significant and welcome the opportunity to help you achieve your goals.
Develop specialist skills to advance the careers of emerging and established educational leaders in various roles. You may be working in or aspiring to work in one of the following roles:
- School Principal
- School Assistant Principal
- Lead School Teacher
- Year Group Coordinator
- Higher Education Manager
- Early Childhood Director
- Early Childhood Assistant Director
- School or Faculty/Department Manager
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Leader
- Program Leader
- HR Manager
- Organisational Development Manager
- Director – Corporate Services
- Corporate Education Lead
*Employment outlook Industry and occupation trends over the five years to November 2026, National Skills Commission, Australian Government.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor honours degree or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience.
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: teaching, education, education administration, international education.
Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to: teaching, education, education administration, international education.
Research information
Students are introduced to research training through a one credit point introductory unit in research design & method; and this training is deepened through an additional research unit and/or completion of research via a Research Paper (two credit points).
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge of key principles, theories and evidence-informed practice supporting ethical and sustainable leadership in education contexts. |
| Communication | Interpret and justify contemporary and innovative leadership practices that are responsive to current global and local challenges faced by education leaders and utilise effective communication to inform and motivate change. |
| Digital literacy | Use digital technologies to conduct effective research into matters related to educational leadership in local and global contexts and apply digital literacy skills to support effective communication with wider audiences |
| Critical thinking | Critically review current literature and research informing educational leadership contexts, policy and practices, and apply analytic and strategic thinking to implement informed judgements and effective change. |
| Problem solving | Apply research skills to design and conduct an evidence-informed investigation of a local educational leadership problem and communicate findings to the wider audience. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate advanced levels of personal leadership and professional independence to plan and implement effective investigations and change proposals. |
| Teamwork | Work effectively with colleagues and relevant team members to develop, refine and conduct investigations and change proposals. |
| Global citizenship | Engage ethically and productively in matters relating to leadership practice and research, and demonstrate respect and integrity in relation to First Nation’s peoples and diverse communities and cultures in a global context. |
Approved at Faculty Board June 2022
Course rules
To complete the Master of Education (Leadership and Learning) you must pass 8 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
An 8-credit point Master of Education (Leadership and Learning) includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
- 1 of the following combinations* of research units:
- 4 credit points of research units or
- 2 credit points of research units
- 2 credit points of course electives.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| ECM720 | Educational Context, Policy and Leadership in Challenging Times |
| ECM721 | Evidence, Analysis and Evaluation for Educational Improvement |
| ECM722 | Leading for Staff Development and Well-Being |
| ECM723 | Leading and Managing Innovation, Change and Improvement |
Pathways
Option 1: PhD Pathway
| EDX701 | Research Design Development and Method |
| EDX712 | Theory and Methodology in Education Research |
| EDX703 | Research Paper A |
| EDX704 | Research Paper B |
Option 2: Non-PhD Pathway
| EDX701 | Research Design Development and Method |
| EDX707 | Independent Research Project for Professional Practice |
Plus 2 credit points of course electives from a recommended elective sequence
Electives
Recommended elective sequences
Adult, Vocational Education and Training:
| EEE735 | Designing, Teaching and Assessment in Adult, Vocational and Further Education |
| EEE736 | Contextualising Learning and Teaching in Adult, Vocational, Tertiary and Further Education |
Applied Learning ^:
| ECN704 | Applied Learning: Theories and Practice |
| ECN725 | Teaching Strategies for Vocational Pathways |
^Not available for international students
Early Childhood:
| ECE731 | Diverse Environments and Pedagogies |
| ECE733 | Teacher as Leader |
Higher Education:
| EEE740 | Designing and Teaching Student-Centred Learning Programs in Higher Education |
| EEE741 | Designing and Implementing Assessment for Learning in Higher Education |
Inclusive Education:
| EIE702 | Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom |
| EXE732 | Social Justice and Difference |
International Baccalaureate (For continuing students only)
| EIB703 | Assessing and Documenting Learning in the Global Early Years Context |
EIB701 Inquiry Learning Through the International Baccalaureate (PYP) [No longer available for enrolment]
TESOL (For continuing students only)
| ETL705 | Pedagogic Grammar |
ETL715 Internationalising the Curriculum [No longer available for enrolment]
Trauma-Responsive Education:
| ETR701 | Refugee Trauma and Education |
| ETR703 | Trauma and Learning |
| ETR704 | Trauma and Trauma-Responsive Practices |
Please note students who complete four (4) credit point research unit pathway will be eligible for a PhD pathway. Students who complete the two (2) credit point research unit pathway will not be eligible for a PhD pathway.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.