What to know about pursuing a master’s of education degree in Australia

A career in education does not always require a graduate degree but having a master’s of education degree can certainly open doors that lead to many different positive directions. Some doors might lead to specialised, higher-paying careers in the classroom. Some could lead to a career in academic administration. Others might lead to a career in consulting or corporate training in the public school system. Regardless, these doors are often unlocked with the right qualification and there is a world of opportunity that is easier to access with a master’s degree in education.

The services of an educator are needed across the globe. The United Nations reports that by 2030, 69 million new teachers will be required to teach primary and secondary level education across the world, meaning the need for teachers will be bigger than the population of most countries. 

The demand in Australia is specifically getting higher and higher. According to New South Wales (NSW) Secondary Principals’ Council president, Craig Petersen, 2020 is a year in which the teacher shortage will become “critical”.

“It is not unique to NSW, but is also impacting on other schools, both government and non-government, across the nation and also internationally,” Petersen told The Educator.

“In NSW, the Department of Education has recognised the increased difficulty in guaranteeing that every public school is fully staffed by suitably qualified teachers for some time now and in 2018 instituted a staffing methodology review to identify ways to increase the effectiveness of the staffing operation”.

Petersen said that at the end of 2019, however, a significant number of schools continued to experience difficulty in attracting teachers at all levels. “Over the last month, principals who are still trying to secure staff for their schools have resorted to desperate pleas to colleagues on 39 separate occasions,” he said.

“Schools in regional and rural areas are particularly affected, with 26 requests during the five-week period”. In terms of subject area shortages, Petersen said the most frequent requests were for teachers of technology, followed by English, PE, mathematics and then science.

Australia’s need for educators makes it the perfect destination to pursue an academic and professional career in education. Specialising in a skill where there is a shortage could help you find a job quickly upon graduation. Furthermore, if you are passionate about education and eager to share this passion, a career in academics can be extremely rewarding. Here is what you need to know about pursuing a master’s of education degree in Australia:

Why pursue a master’s of education degree in Australia?

It’s the fast growth of the industry that attracts international students from all over the world to pursue a master’s in education degree in Australia. The industry is projected to grow by  11.2% by May 2023 and students with the right qualification can earn approximately AUD88,000 per annum.

Which universities in Australia are offering master’s of education programmes?

Many universities in Australia offer programmes for aspiring educators such as the University of Sydney, the University of Wollongong, Queensland University of Technology, La Trobe University, Flinders University, the University of Canberra, the University of Southern Queensland and the Australian Catholic University. 

What does a typical curriculum cover?

Course curriculums vary across universities, however some basic topics that most cover include gender and education, contentions in inclusive education, autism spectrum and engagement, science and technology in contemporary society, multimedia for learning, individualised learning, critical perspectives in curriculum leadership and the nature of communication.

What is the admission process like?

Like most universities around the world, it is ideal to submit your application 12-15 months before your ideal admission date. This can be done via email, directly on the university’s website or through a university representative. 

What are the professional possibilities?

Upon completion, graduates will be ready to begin their careers in the higher echelons of education as an institution leaders, educators, innovators or policy makers. In any position, they are typically prepared with the skills to tackle challenge in the evolving education landscape, from budgets to a wide range of student bodies.