Course Structure

This course structure applies to students admitted into the Master of Education (Leadership) from Semester 1 2024 onwards. For previous iterations, please view the Student Handbook.

The course structure is based on a full-time study load over two semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in each semester (summer intake and part-time mode also available). It comprises:

• 40 cp Core subjects
• 30 cp Electives
• 10 cp 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 noted below.

The degree is a Master of Education (Leadership) via course work with research components.

For more information see the Student Handbook.

Subjects

Core

• EDU400 Biblical Foundations of Education
• EDU501 Worldviews and Educational Practice
• EDU505 A Biblical Vision for Christian School Leadership
• EDU506 Biblical Principles of School Management

Electives / Choose three of the following

• EDU527 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Education
• EDU531 Directed Reading in Educational Leadership
• EDU561 Leading Quality Teaching and Learning
• EDU567 Adults and Professional Learning
• EDU572 Community Partnerships in Education
• EDU574 The Social and Historical Context of Christian Schooling
• EDU576 Reforming Leadership: Overseeing Change and Continuity
• EDU579 Critical Evaluation of Professional Learning
• EDU565 Mentoring, Coaching, and Supervising in Educational Contexts
• EDU595 Research Methods in Education*

Capstone / Choose one of the following

• EDU596 Reflective Project Capstone (10cp)
• EDU581 Research Design Capstone (10 cp)
• EDU598 Education Research Project Capstone (20 cp, taken over two semesters)

*EDU595 Research Methods in Education is a compulsory requisite to EDU598 Education Research Project Capstone (20 credits) and is highly recommended as for completion prior to EDU581 Research Design Capstone. EDU595 must be completed at no lower than a Credit grade in order to be eligible for transition into EDU598.

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 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 Bachelors degree in education, or the equivalent degree and a Diploma or Certificate in Education, or completion of a Level 8 or above equivalent postgraduate qualification by an authorised institution.

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.

Other Requirements

Applicants wishing to enrol in the Master of Education (Leadership) must meet the stated admissions criteria for the course / postgraduate study (i.e., a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent), and additionally at least one of the following criteria:

• have experience in teaching (minimum 2 years) and are wishing to develop their leadership skills as an aspiring leader (education referee may be contacted)
• have a current education leadership role in a school (education referee may be contacted)
• are involved in school management, business, community liaison, marketing, or governance role and qualify for the MEd(L) after completion of the Graduate Certificate of Education (Leadership).

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, including as appropriate, consideration and application of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, 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.