Education (Leadership in Aboriginal Education)

Coursework

The Master of Education (Leadership in Aboriginal Education) prepares Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers for leadership roles in schools and education systems.

Through studying Leadership in Aboriginal Education, you will develop the skills and knowledge to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and learn how to identify and disrupt deficit discourses about Aboriginal peoples, cultures and histories by creating deep and real world cultural understandings through your students.

The degree is ideal for teachers with a lifelong commitment to social justice, equity, and culturally responsive approaches to curriculum, pedagogy, leadership and research.

Awards and requirements

Please refer to the course rules in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.

Master of Education (Leadership in Aboriginal Education)
To qualify for the award of Master of Education (Leadership in Aboriginal Education) candidates must complete 48 credit points, including:

• a minimum of 30 credit points from this stream, comprising;
  - a minimum of 18 credit points of core units of study;
  - a minimum of 12 credit points of elective units of study; plus
• a maximum of 6 credit points of capstone units of study; and
• a maximum of 12 credit points of postgraduate Education units of study which can be chosen from any Master of Education program.

Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Leadership in Aboriginal Education)
To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Leadership in Aboriginal Education) candidates must complete 36 credit points, including:

• a minimum of 18 credit points of core units of study;
• a minimum of 12 credit points of elective units of study; and
• a maximum of 6 credit points of postgraduate Education units of study chosen from any Master of Education program

Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Leadership in Aboriginal Education)
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Leadership in Aboriginal Education) candidates must complete 24 credit points, including:

• a minimum of 18 credit points of core units of study; and
• a maximum of 6 credit points of elective units of study

Learning outcomes

At the successful conclusion of this designated program students should be able to demonstrate:

• Lead the development of effective policies, strategies and systemic changes needed to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student outcomes by engaging in equitable relationships with parents/carers and community representatives to enact collaborative school decision-making processes;
• Lead colleagues in evaluating effective pedagogies, curriculum and initiatives with a focus on differentiated approaches to meet individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student needs;
• Initiate and guide professional dialogue that challenges deficit discourses about Aboriginal peoples, cultures and histories and promotes the importance of cultural identity to improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students;
• Analyse and lead Aboriginal community informed teacher professional learning to empower teachers to implement culturally and contextually responsive learning environments to improve student achievement;
• Analyse, engage in and lead critical discussion about the repurposing of schooling to meet the self-determining needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Contacts and further information

Dr Cathie Burgess
Phone: 02 9351 7002
Location: Room 714, Education Building, A35
Email: