Master of Education (Leadership and Learning)

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Master of Education (Leadership and Learning)
Deakin course code	E725
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Online	Yes
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 2025. 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
Note: This is not an initial teacher education qualification. Students wishing to enter the profession of teaching should instead consider one of our five Master of Teaching courses or E737 Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary)

Course sub-headings

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.

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) students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their 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

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University's vocabulary.

*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 structure

Core 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

Option 1 or 2

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

Course Electives - Recommended Elective Sequences

Adult, Vocational Education and Training:

EEE735

Designing, Teaching and Assessment in Adult, Vocational Education and Training

EEE736

Contextualising Learning and Teaching in Adult, Vocational Education and Training

Applied Learning ^:

ECN704

Applied Learning: Theories and Practice

ECN725

Teaching Strategies for Vocational Pathways *

^Not available for international students

^*Includes a 15-day vocational education professional experience

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:

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

ETL715

Internationalising the Curriculum

ETL705

Pedagogic Grammar

Trauma-Responsive Education:

ETR701

Refugee Trauma and Education

ETR703

Trauma and Learning

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

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.