Master of Educational Leadership
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 1 locations
- Duration
- 1.5 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
$4120 CSP
$18045 Fee-paying- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview
The Master of Educational Leadership builds on the capabilities of current and aspiring educational leaders. The course is designed to support participants with varying leadership aspirations and career circumstances. Taught by active researchers and experienced practitioners, this course explicitly integrates theory, theology, ethics, philosophy and research to enable you to improve your educational leadership practice.
You will explore the purpose and task of education, and Catholic education in particular, as well as theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to your own school culture and context.

Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- management and administration
- educational leadership
- policy development
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Master of Educational Leadership, a student must complete 120 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1, 2023 | EDLE650 Foundations: Vision and Mission of Catholic Education in the Contemporary World | EDLE654 Leadership in Context: Educational Narratives and Literacies for Learning Communities | EDLE652 Educational Leadership as Vocation and Service | Elective | |
Semester 2, 2023 | EDLE651 Leading Learning in Catholic Educational Communities and Cultures | EDLE655 Data Information Systems: Using Research and Data for Learning | EDLE653 Integrating Capabilities for Renewal and Sustainability in Leadership | Elective | |
Semester 1, 2024 | EDCP601 Capstone | Elective | Elective |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
AQF framework
Exit Points
3.1 A student who has completed 40 cp with 20 cp from specified units in the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership
3.2 A student who has completed 80 cp with 20cp from Specified Units and at least 20 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership.
Additional course information
On-campus units may be offered during regular semester or school holiday periods.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:
- A recognised teaching qualification and a minimum 3 years teaching experience; OR
- A Bachelor degree and a minimum of 3 years relevant leadership experience.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission.
View transparency admission information
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 7.0. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Pathways
Further study
Graduates of this program may be eligible to progress to a Doctor of Education or a Doctor of Philosophy.
Fees
Course costs
$4120 CSP
$18045 Fee-paying
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Some specialisations may not run every year. Find out more about deferment.
Staff Profile
Dr Paul Kidson
Head of Discipline Postgraduate Education, Faculty of Education and Arts
Dr Paul Kidson is Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership and the Head of Postgraduate Studies in the National School of Education. He has extensive school leadership and governance experience, including 11 years as a school principal, which informs the highly practical orientation of his academic research. In addition to his academic research and leadership, he is a member of Australian Council for Educational Leaders (NSW) Executive Committee, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute for Company Directors.
His research adopts holistic and interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on a range of academic disciplines and insights. Through this, he explores how school leaders work effectively within, and critically transform, their complex professional lives. This encompasses broader systems and policies which govern the work of educational leaders, as well as how school leaders develop and sustain their personal experience of leadership. He is part of a large-scale research projects on school leadership, and one of the lead researchers on Australia’s largest and longest running principal well-being research project, the Australian Principal Occupational Health and Well-being Survey.
Testimonial

“I believe in education and its power to change the world and this course is giving me the knowledge and skills to serve my mission with love and authenticity. Every child has the right to an education. My goals are to take what I am learning at ACU with the hope of inspiring and providing a better learning opportunity for children and women in my community.”