Master of Education

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Make a valuable contribution to new knowledge in the field of education as you make yourself more competitive in your career. Manage a research project with the support of academics with broad research experience, including presenting papers at international conferences and publishing papers in academic journals and books.

Completion of the Master of Education to a level of second-class honours (H2) or higher (or equivalent) leads you to admission to the Doctor of Education.

Please note that this course will not provide you with registration to teach in Australia. Students interested in becoming registered should consider applying for either the Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education or the Master of Teaching.

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Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Education

Careers

Career opportunities include:

  • commissioning editor for a specialist academic journal
  • presenting at different conferences and travel throughout Australia and around the world
  • employment with a university conducting research
  • visiting key international research institutes

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

Course Objectives

The School of Education offers a Master of Education degree by major research thesis. This is an alternative to the Master of Education and Training specialisation, which is done by a combination of coursework and minor thesis. Students are invited to contact the School to discuss the selection of a major research topic and to explore ways in which preparation for the major thesis by research can be arranged.

Staff in the School have research interests in the following areas:

  • teaching, learning and evaluation in education and training;
  • effects of family and school relationships on learning;
  • social basis of schooling;
  • school change and reform;
  • practitioner research/action research;
  • young people at risk;
  • language and literacy;
  • school-based curriculum development;
  • school, family and community links;
  • early childhood education;
  • inter-professional collaboration;
  • recruitment, selection and appraisal in education and training;
  • student learning in higher education;
  • multimedia, online learning and computer-enhanced learning;
  • vocational education and training;
  • numeracy and mathematics education;
  • science education;
  • learning in the workplace;
  • adult and community education;
  • recognition of prior learning;
  • outdoor education;
  • computer mediated art;
  • wilderness adventure based therapy;
  • experiential learning;
  • gender and affirmative action and policy studies.

Students who have areas of interest in education other than those mentioned above are nevertheless encouraged to discuss enrolment possibilities with the School, which can facilitate co-supervisory links with other schools or institutions.

Students, once accepted by the School for admission to the Master of Education by Research, will work with their supervisor to produce an application for candidature based upon a specific research topic.

Upon acceptance of candidature by the University, the degree is normally completed within a minimum of 24 months of full-time study. Part-time study is also available, and can be carried out in conjunction with projects appropriate to the candidate's workplace.

Units and electives

The research thesis must be original work conducted under the supervision of the student advisor/s and with the approval of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the University. The thesis of the candidate will be examined externally by examiners of high academic standing in the area of the candidate's thesis topic.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission Information

  • Mature: To qualify for admission to the course, applicants must have a university degree completed at a meritorious level; and satisfied the School that they have aptitude for an extended research project. Some applicants may be required to audit a coursework unit of study in Research Methodology.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0).

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.

How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.