A Master of Education is designed to give teaching professionals the knowledge and skills to elevate their career and influence brighter futures for their school community. Master of Education students will build on their valuable experience with contemporary education research and practical learning.

Is a Master of Education the right education degree for me?

There are a number of postgraduate education programs, but it's important to choose the right course that aligns with your goals.

A Master of Education is ideal for passionate education professionals looking to hone their skills to improve student and staff success in their school community.

So, if you’re looking to build on your existing education degree with specialist knowledge to broaden your impact, a Master of Education allows you to do exactly that.

What is the difference between a Master of Education and a Master of Teaching?

A Master of Education is for experienced education professionals looking to specialise to help students reach their full potential or elevate their leadership skills to unlock senior education career opportunities.

Depending on the institution where you study, you most likely will have access to a choice of specialisations within a Master of Education. These specialisations commonly look to address key growth areas or in-demand roles such as leadership, wellbeing or STEM.

Developing skills in these areas through a Master of Education can lead to high-level positions in the sector or policy development roles in state or federal government.

On the other hand, a Master of Teaching is for those who are new to the education sector and looking to become a qualified teacher. Successfully completing a Master of Teaching will allow you to become a registered teacher in Australian schools.

Once you have completed a Master of Teaching and have at least two years' work experience, you can then pursue a Master of Education to develop new strategies to empower students and enhance education practice.

To better understand education degrees and the path to becoming a teacher, explore the ‘Become a teacher’ page.

Who should consider a Master of Education?

Whether you are a teacher wanting to step into a leadership role or an education professional looking to build upon your knowledge and expertise, a Master of Education can unlock exciting and dynamic opportunities to take your career to the next level.

A Master of Education is ideal for:

• Teachers looking to expand their impact and influence beyond the classroom
• Aspiring and current education leaders aiming to drive positive change within individual, school or system levels
• Education professionals in areas such as early childhood education, TAFE, learning design or government education departments with a keen interest in wellbeing and inclusion or education policy development.

How can a Master of Education benefit my career?

A Master of Education will help you develop advanced knowledge in educational strategy and evidence-based practice. This will then prepare you to take on broader leadership roles or as a specialist in your field, with expertise to address complex challenges across the education sector.

Combining this with your experience and passion, a master's degree in education can provide:

• Increased credibility to step into senior roles
• Greater influence due to specialised skillset and understanding of the education sector
• Increased recognition as you drive initiatives that benefit school environments
• Higher earning potential due to access to higher responsibility roles.

A Master of Education lets you play a more active role in shaping the future of education, whether that involves working in schools, optimising the educational experience or in government departments driving initiatives that support inclusive education.

The level of understanding that comes with a Master of Education will empower you to lead with purpose and drive strategic decisions that leave a lasting legacy.

Educational leadership and management roles

Principal

Principals are at the helm of school operations, overseeing everything from staff management to implementing strategies and advancements to benefit learning outcomes.

This high-responsibility role offers strong earning potential, with principals earning salaries upwards of $205,000 annually¹ in Australia.

Head of Department

Heads of department lead academic teams and oversee specific subject areas, ensuring curriculum standards are delivered while striving for innovation within their departments.

While salaries can vary depending on experience and school type, the average salary for a Head of Department in Australia is upwards of $130,000 annually².

Student wellbeing and support leaders

Head of Student Wellbeing Programs

This educational leadership role involves creating and implementing wellbeing and support programs for students. They are advocates for education policy that promotes equity and access to quality education for all students. It’s a meaningful career path for those passionate about improving academic, emotional and social outcomes while providing students with strategies to help them achieve their potential. Salary ranges for this role vary from $130,000 to $150,000 annually³.

Wellbeing and Inclusion Coordinator

Wellbeing and inclusion coordinators aim to enhance student learning. They do this by designing and managing practices that ensure students from all backgrounds, including those with additional needs, feel supported and included in their educational environments. They may help develop or review processes to ensure their school are satisfying department-wide policy expectations.

Government roles

Education Policy Developer

Policy developers collaborate with governments and institutions to design policies that improve educational outcomes. Their work involves conducting research to identify trends and challenges affecting the education landscape, developing new policies and reviewing existing policies to influence the direction of schools and learning communities.

Professional training and development roles

Curriculum and Learning Designer

Learning designers use cutting-edge instructional design techniques to create engaging e-learning materials and content. This helps businesses and educational organisations to modernise their training and teaching approaches to ensure they are engaging and effective.

Why study the online Master of Education with the University of Melbourne?

Stand out and be recognised for your professional value with expertise from the #1 university in Australia for Education (QS, 2026). The online Master of Education provides a deep understanding in evidence-based leadership and wellbeing strategies to stay ahead in constantly evolving environment.

Study with the #1 university in Australia for Education (QS, 2026)

• The University of Melbourne is ranked #1 in Australia for Education and among the top 20 universities globally (QS Rankings, 2026)
• Graduating with this qualification signals to employers that you have an enhanced skillset to confidently inform and influence improvements in schools.

Learn from world-leading academics

• Gain exclusive access to the latest research, insights and teaching experts who influence education policy and strategy
• Benefit from evidence-based, practical learning that you can apply immediately in your workplace to make instant and tangible impact.

Flexible and personalised learning

• With flexible online intakes and the ability to focus on one unit at a time, you can balance your studies with work and life commitments
• Receive one-on-one support and guidance from a dedicated team and academics who care about your success.

Specialise in sought-after areas of education

The University of Melbourne allows you to select from two impactful specialisation areas.

Educational leadership

• Prepare to lead with confidence by gaining the tools to address emerging challenges in education
• Develop skills in strategic decision-making, communication to drive education transformation.

Student wellbeing

• Master strategies to cultivate inclusive and nurturing learning environments
• Gain tools to promote mental and physical wellbeing, support students in need and address the growing challenge of teacher burnout.

Advance your career in education with the University of Melbourne

An online Master of Education from the University of Melbourne equips you with the knowledge and credibility to transform education.

Whether your passion lies in leading schools, shaping policy, or empowering communities through wellbeing, this Master of Education will have you making an impact in and beyond the classroom.

Discover more about the online Master of Education or explore on-campus education courses. Reach out to our Online Education Advisers today to learn how you can take the next step in your career.
 

Resources
¹ Salary for School Principals, Seek.com.au, 2025

² Salary for Department Head at Department of Education, Indeed, 2025

³ Seek.com.au, 2025