Is a Master of Education in Australia worth your time and money?
Brought to you by University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Getting a Master of Education degree in Australia can be a bit intimidating when you don't know what to expect. Without getting familiar with the details and caveats, it's tough to determine whether it's the right move for you. Here's a detailed overview of what it's like to get an M.Ed. in Australia to help shape your expectations.
The basics of getting a Master of Education in Australia
Getting a Master of Education degree in Australia is a unique experience for each student. It's influenced by your specific coursework, career goals, eligibility for tuition assistance, and the amount of time you're willing to commit to the program.
For instance, the average M.Ed. program can take anywhere from one year to four years to complete, depending on if you do full- or part-time schooling. This wide variation is due to the level of commitment you, as the student, may be willing to make.
The cost of your education will differ based on your specific educational path, too. Although most universities offer M.Ed. programs between AU$21,630–37,300, the price may vary greatly depending on whether you're a Commonwealth Supported Place student or you're paying full fees.
Is it worth it to get a Master of Education in Australia?
Getting a Master of Education in Australia is definitely worth your time and money. Still, you should know how all the factors mentioned above will influence your experience. Here are a few of the most important points to consider before you head into your graduate education.
Job Outlook for Australians with an M.Ed.
For one, you may be considering the payscale for potential jobs you'd qualify for after graduating with your degree.
When evaluating your options here, remember that there are numerous fields you can go into, including, of course, education. Here are some examples of occupations and their annual salaries:
Primary school teacher — AU$69K
Training and development manager — AU$102K
Business development manager — AU$90K
Overall, the average income you can expect once you earn your M.Ed. is approximately $89,761. This amount is a pretty comfortable income for most people, and one point that proves it is definitely worth your time to pursue this degree in Australia.
The General Education and Training industry is growing quite rapidly across Australia. Currently, the country needs education instructors at all school levels, so the job market is full of employment opportunities. University lecturers and tutors are among the positions with the highest demand and are just two of the many roles that require a university degree.
Here's a glance at these occupations' growth potential and full-time availability for the foreseeable future:
Education advisors andreviewers — These individuals typically conduct education-related research, develop course curricula and related materials, and review other teachers' work. These responsibilities require a bachelor's or postgraduate degree in education. The future growth projection for this role is ‘very strong’ and consists of 67% full-time work.
Training and development professionals —These jobs require a bit of specialised experience. People usually pursue Vocational Education and Training (VET) or a university degree, in addition to a formal qualification and specific industry experience. Officials estimate this division's future growth at ‘stable’, with a 77% full-time share.
Secondary schoolteacher — This career requires a bachelor's degree in education (with a major in secondary education) and an optional postgraduate qualification in secondary education. In this role, you'll support and promote students' general development using a prescribed curriculum. The job growth is ‘strong’, with a 76% full-time share.
Tuition costs for Commonwealth-supported and full fee–paying students
Another point to consider before committing to your choice to earn an M.Ed. in Australia is your student status.
You should be aware of any fee differences between new and continuing students. Also, find out if you're eligible for tuition assistance as a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) or Commonwealth supported student.
Take Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, for example.New and continuing Commonwealth-supported students pay AU$3,950 per EFTSL (Equivalent Full-Time Student Load). Yet, things aren't as straightforward for non-CSP students.
Specific estimates for full fee-paying students are not available on the website. Instead, VU offers the following tuition fee unit formula: EFTSL value multiplied by the band range = tuition fee for that unit rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Other institutions, such as UTS Online, provide a much more affordable and flexible educational experience for aspiring educators. Here, students only pay AU$2,618 per study period.
Remember that you can also consider fee assistance throughout your studies. You don't have to do it all on your own. Organisations to consider for such support include:
Australia Awards
Destination Australia
Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
Australian APEC Women in Research Fellowship
Specialisations that might influence your master's education in Australia
Finally, you should consider the impact that a given specialisation might have on your university experience.
Some institutions only offer a general Master of Education path. Others, like Australia's #2 institution for Education, UTS Online, provide numerous electives for you to choose from. These supplementary courses ensure that you are well-rounded and ready for a career in the real-world.
Specific electives UTS Online offers include:
Strategic Learning in Workplaces
Mentoring in the Workplace
Data Ethics and Regulation
Policy, Power, and Politics in Health Care
These courses will provide you with all the necessary tools to enter your career with an in-depth, adaptive, cutting-edge perspective on educational techniques across several industries. Plus, UTS Online is specially designed to provide a robust, flexible path toward an M.Ed., no matter your projected industry.
Like The University of Melbourne, other universities offer specialisations to hone your skills in specific subject areas. So, for instance, if your goal is to become a lecturer in fine arts, you might take their ‘arts education’ specialisation.
On the other hand, those who want to become life science educators may be more interested in the ‘mathematics and science education’ graduate path. Regardless of which you choose, keep in mind that different focuses can influence your studies' duration and potentially cost.
Summary
It's more than worth the effort to pursue a Master of Education in Australia. It just takes a bit of planning to determine which career path you want to follow, considering the specific coursework you might need, and determining your eligibility for tuition support.
Use this overview and visit UTS Online to determine which educational path suits your future career best.
