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Master of Contemporary Education

If you are a passionate educator who wants to take the lead in creating positive change in your school or learning community, the Masters of Contemporary Education is the programme for you.

The Master of Contemporary Education was designed to support the professional development of educators in rapidly changing teaching and learning environments - in a rapidly changing world. You'll gain tools to critically analyse emerging opportunities, develop strategies to enhance your practice, and create measurable solutions for your education community. This is not a regular Masters programme. It is practice-based and focused on creating impactful change in your school WHILE you study.

This is a three part Master's programme - if you’ve already completed your Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning you’re a third of the way through your Master's! AND since you’ve already paid for Part 1, you’ll only pay for Parts 2 and 3 of the programme.

3-5 hours of directed learning per week

Complete in 14-18 months

Blended: online learning and in-person sessions

NZQA accredited, level 9 (180 Credits)

Learning Outcomes

What You'll Learn

MCE Learn more image

Emerging education challenges

Acquire an understanding of emerging education challenges and how to address areas that need improvement.

Enhance student outcomes

Develop skills to lead and drive sustained pedagogical change to improve student outcomes.

Respond to change

Grow the ability to understand and authentically respond to cultural and social change.

Digital fluency

Gain digital fluency and the ability to effectively implement technology into your day-to-day teaching practice.

This practice-based masters programme combines research and theory with the development and execution of a ‘Change Project’ in your school or community. You’ll lead educational innovation through digital technologies and future-focused practices, collaborating with students, parents, whānau, and other key stakeholders to advance teaching practices and improve learner outcomes. Your learning is co-constructed to cater to your specific project and outcomes within a collaborative course supported by a community of educators. This project will be your focus for both Parts 2 and 3 of the masters programme, allowing you to create meaningful change where it matters most to you.

The Master of Contemporary Education is regarded as a Research Masters when students enrol in the 90-credit Level 9 project course. Our educators graduate with the expertise to drive excellence in contemporary, culturally responsive education practices.

Delivered through scheduled online sessions, this program enables teachers to complete their qualification from anywhere in New Zealand. It also includes in-person full-day workshops at academyEX in Auckland, offering additional benefits for those who can attend.

At academyEX we do things differently. We are educators and lifelong learners and we get that you’re busy! But we also know you have the ability to make an incredible impact - and we’re here to support you to do it. 

Join us to create transformative change for your learners and shape the future of education in Aoteoroa.

Domestic student feeUP TO$12,640NZD
International student feeUP TO$44,000NZD

3-5 hours of directed learning per week

Complete in 14-18 months

Blended: online learning and in-person sessions

NZQA accredited, level 9 (180 Credits)

Available start dates

  • 20th January 2025: Part 2 - Full Time
  • 20th January 2025: Part 2 - Part Time
  • 19th March 2025: Part 1 - Part Time
  • 7th April 2025: Part 1 - Full Time
  • 14th July 2025: Part 2 - Part Time
  • 11th August 2025: Part 1 - Part Time
Apply now

The MCE programme wakes you up to the fact you’re a professional leader of learning. It empowers you to take a lead in how you do things in your own practice.

Matthew Eagle, Master of Contemporary Education

Course outline

How this Masters programme works

Incorporate contemporary learning into your classroom

Part 1: Discover

Digital and Collaborative Learning

Complete two courses focusing on digital and collaborative learning which also form our Postgraduate Certificate. You will evaluate digital and collaborative pedagogies and plan innovations to implement in your practice - a great starting point to build on in Part 2 and 3 of the Masters (20 weeks full time, or 32 weeks part time)

Domestic fee: NZD $3,485

Part 2: Plan

Contemporary Teaching and Project Proposal

If you have already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital and Collaborative Learning, you will start here - a 3rd of the way there!

Complete two courses (10 weeks full time, or 20 weeks part time), one focused on Contemporary Teaching and one to guide you through the process of developing a proposal for a practice*based change project to be implemented in Part 3.

Domestic fee: NZD $2,306

Part 3: Implement

Practice-based Change Project.

In this capstone course, implement your practice-based change project to be able to evidence change in practice and learning. You can choose either a 90 credit pathway or 45 credit pathway complemented by elective courses (30 weeks full time, or 44 weeks part time).

Domestic fee: NZD $6,905

Don’t take OUR WORD FOR IT

Here’s what our students say

Naomi-William-Thumbnail

I might be older, but I've never felt more polished. To those of you who are older—seize the opportunity and make the most of it!

Vasiti Latu Thumbnail MCE

I hope to be a role model for my kids. When they grow up, I want them to see what I've done and inspire them to better themselves.

Kate Lewis Thumbnail MCE

My project focused on harnessing the power of technology through a blended learning model, aiming to transform education delivery.

Guy Blanchard Thumbnail

It’s a great chance to explore what you’re passionate about and lead in an educational setting. You’ll meet amazing people along the way.

Sumanada Thumbnail MCE

If you think you're too busy or tied up with work, academyEX is the place to start—no better way to expand your horizons.

Anne Connaughton Thumbnail MCE

I always like to drive change - I loved that I could come here, broach an idea and pick a change that you want to see made reality.

Jan Ford MCE Thumbnail

I can now lead in pedagogy and the science of learning, and I feel so much more confident in my ability to guide others.

Rebecca Thompson Thumbnail MCE

It was inspiring because it was based on my classroom practice. I could take what I learned here and apply it immediately with my students.

PATHWAYS

Where this could take you

Apply your digital knowledge in a collaborative way in the classroom

Follow your passion

Continue to seek the best outcomes for your learners by implementing your newfound knowledge and skills in a range of educational contexts.

Boost your career

Develop confidence, move into formal leadership roles, and extend your practice to lead innovative initiatives in your school or community

Continue your impact

Dive into micro-credentials to continue your learning with academyEX, or level up your learning by applying for professional doctoral studies.

Next Steps

Okay, so what’s next?

Questions?

Make an enquiry and one of our team will help you unpack any questions or worries. We're here to help.

Fortune favours the brave

Apply for your Masters here! Our team will be in touch to guide you through your application. Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.

KEY INFORMATION

What you need to know

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