But what does this course entail, exactly? Below, we’ll look at everything you need to know and, ultimately, help you decide if this is the next step in your teaching career.
What is Educational Leadership?
When you hear the term “educational leadership”, it’s easy to picture a principal behind a desk of someone buried in admin. But it’s actually way more than that. Educational leadership is really about shaping the direction of a school or a learning environment, inspiring teachers, improving student outcomes, and creating a culture where everyone feels supported to do their best work.
Good educational leaders bring people together to champion innovation and help steer their schools through the ever-changing world of education. So, if you’re someone who already finds themselves naturally stepping into that kind of role, even informally, you’re likely already halfway there.
Why Choose This Path?
The reasons some teachers choose to study a Master of Educational Leadership are different for everyone, but there are a few common themes. There’s the most obvious, which is the fact that it offers you excellent career progression, so if you’ve ever thought about becoming a head of department, a principal, or even moving into a policy or system-wide leadership role, having a master’s in your pocket has the potential to give you a massive boost.
There’s also the skill-building aspect. Studying for a Master of Educational Leadership doesn’t just fill a space on your CV, it genuinely teaches you how to lead. You’ll dive into things like strategic thinking, change management, communication, and how to support both students and staff in ways that truly make a difference.
The pay bump with having this qualification doesn’t hurt either, and leadership roles in schools tend to come with a higher salary, which can make obtaining a Master of Educational Leadership a smart long-term investment.
What Do You Learn in a Master of Educational Leadership Online Course?
One of the best things about the Master of Educational Leadership Online course is that it isn’t one of those degrees where you sit through theory that never sees the light of day in the real world. Instead, you’ll be taking a course that has practical outcomes in mind, and you’ll cover topics like leading and managing educational change, curriculum leadership, professional learning for educators, and strategic planning and school improvement.
The whole goal of this course is to give you the tools you’ll actually use when you’re leading a team or making school-wide decisions. You’ll also explore what makes a great leader in an educational setting and, more importantly, you’ll figure out what kind of leader you want to be.
Can You Balance Learning with Teaching?
This is a concern that many teachers thinking about taking the Master of Educational Leadership course have. But the good news is that online courses like those offered by The University of Canberra are designed specifically with busy teachers in mind. It’s 100% online and designed to be completed on a part-time basis over 16 months, and you only study one unit at a time, so there’s no need to feel worried about becoming overwhelmed.
That means no full-time uni load, no long breaks where you forget what you’ve learned, and the ability to weave your studies into your life in a way that works for you. Also, because there are multiple start dates throughout the year, you don’t have to wait ages for the next enrolment while you decide if this is the right course for you.
Is This the Right Step For My Career?
In reality, only you can answer that question. But, if you enjoy mentoring others, feel as though you naturally step into leadership roles, and have ideas about how your school could improve (and wish you had more of a say in those conversations), the Master of Educational Leadership is likely the next logical step in your teaching journey.
You don’t necessarily have to feel ready to jump straight into a principal’s office once you’ve graduated, either. This kind of course gives you the confidence, skills, and knowledge to lead in different kinds of ways, whether that’s heading up a department or simply having a stronger voice in decision-making. Put simply, it will help you grow into the kind of educator who can influence change, wherever you sit in the system.
