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I came to QUT having previously worked as a primary teacher, school guidance officer, behaviour support specialist, and in a role overseeing state policy development and school practice regarding student behaviour. My research expertise and focus is on trauma-aware schooling and I am proud to lead a passionate and informed teaching team to deliver this course.
Real expert
I came to QUT having previously worked as a primary teacher, school guidance officer, behaviour support specialist, and in a role overseeing state policy development and school practice regarding student behaviour. My research expertise and focus is on trauma-aware schooling and I am proud to lead a passionate and informed teaching team to deliver this course.
Highlights
- Build your capability to support learners who are living with the outcomes of complex trauma.
- Ideal for teachers in schools or early childhood education and care services, or other professionals.
- Equips graduates to lead a trauma-aware response in a range of workplace settings.
- Qualified teachers can fast-track their career by completing this course in just one year, provided they meet our entry requirements.
- Build your own degree by choosing topics of interest to you.
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses.
Highlights
- Build your capability to support learners who are living with the outcomes of complex trauma.
- Ideal for teachers in schools or early childhood education and care services, or other professionals.
- Equips graduates to lead a trauma-aware response in a range of workplace settings.
- Qualified teachers can fast-track their career by completing this course in just one year, provided they meet our entry requirements.
- Build your own degree by choosing topics of interest to you.
- Learn today, use tomorrow with our real-world courses.
Why choose this course?
The Master of Education course is flexible and innovative and can be custom designed to your needs. Our world-class academics are leaders in their fields who will engage you in deep professional learning and reflection to expand your knowledge and skills.
The Master of Education, Trauma-Aware Education Specialisation equips graduates to support learners in schools and early childhood settings who are living with the outcomes of complex developmental trauma.
This specialisation is the first of its kind in Australia and is designed to align with a growing national and global movement in trauma-aware education.
If you are a school or early childhood educator, or other professional, you can deepen your knowledge and skills in trauma-aware education and your capacity to lead a trauma-aware response in a range of work settings.
Be inspired by postgraduate students putting their learnings into action. Read their stories on our Education insights blog.
Learn from the best
Renowned expert and national leader in trauma-aware education, Dr Judith Howard, will lead a passionate and informed teaching team to deliver the specialisation.
Our lecturers have experience working in education settings, policy roles, and in leadership roles in schools. You’ll benefit from the real-world experience they are able to share. The course is backed by QUT’s evidence-based research programs working to develop solutions to current and emerging issues in education.
Explore this course
The Trauma-aware Education specialisation will equip you to:
- develop deep understandings of the impact of complex developmental trauma on child and adolescent development and the learner’s experience of education.
- understand the impact of complex development trauma on types or groups of learners, and what can be done to address this impact.
- build a toolkit of ideas, resources and capacities to support your leadership in trauma-aware education in your current or future work context.
- learn foundational trauma-aware education theories and research through peer collaboration to enhance educational policies and practices.
- explore the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on various life outcomes, examining key research from the CDC and Kaiser Permanente ACE Study.
- delve into the biology and neurobiology of child and adolescent development, the effects of complex trauma, and its intergenerational transmission, applying these insights to educational contexts.
- learn to lead and advocate for trauma-aware practices in educational settings, aligning with systemic frameworks to improve learner outcomes and staff well-being, while also developing skills for designing and delivering professional learning with peers.
Flexible delivery
You may study the course full time or part time. You can study on campus, online or select a blended approach to suit you. QUT provides a variety of online learning environments to enable you to participate fully, receive expert guidance and support, and be in regular contact with expert teaching staff.
Customise your degree
It’s as easy as 1-2-3. You can build the Master of Education to suit your interests and needs. The course has three components:
- Choose one specialisation OR units of your choice. If you meet the advanced standing requirements for the one-year program, go to component 2.
- Add a specialisation OR units of your choice.
- Add a research component tailored to your interests and workplace needs.
Careers and outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Education with a Trauma-Aware Education Specialisation will be qualified be able to put their capabilities into practice in many ways, including:
- School or early childhood practitioners can develop their capacities to lead a trauma-aware education response at their sites.
- Education leaders in districts, regions, dioceses, or other entities can develop their capacities to lead a systemic response in trauma-aware education.
- Other practitioners from support organisations or government agencies can develop their capacity to work from a trauma-aware focus with schools, early childhood services and education systems.
Early exit
You can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Education (Trauma-Aware Education) if you have completed the four specialisation units. You can exit the course with a Graduate Certificate in Education following completion of any four masters units.
To graduate with a Master of Education you are required to complete 144 credit points of course units.
In a standard 1.5 year full-time progression, you will complete three components made up of:
- 48 credit points of one Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of a second Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of research units* or 36 credit points of research units plus 12 credit points of options.
In a one year full-time progression (having been awarded 48 credit points of advanced standing), you will complete two components made up of:
- 48 credit points of one Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of research units* or 36 credit points of research units plus 12 credit points of options.
*If you are intending to pursue higher degree research it is recommended you complete 48 credit points of research.
To graduate with a Master of Education you are required to complete 144 credit points of course units.
In a standard 1.5 year full-time progression, you will complete three components made up of:
- 48 credit points of one Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of a second Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of research units* or 36 credit points of research units plus 12 credit points of options.
In a one year full-time progression (having been awarded 48 credit points of advanced standing), you will complete two components made up of:
- 48 credit points of one Specialisation or option units
- 48 credit points of research units* or 36 credit points of research units plus 12 credit points of options.
*If you are intending to pursue higher degree research it is recommended you complete 48 credit points of research.
- Course code
- EU71
- CRICOS code
- 081798G
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
-
- Online
- Kelvin Grove
- 1 - 1.5 years full-time
- 2 - 3 years part-time
- 1 - 1.5 years full-time
- 2 - 3 years part-time
- February
- February
1.5-year program entry requirements
You must have a recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline.
1-year program entry requirements
You must have one of the following recognised:
- bachelor honours degree in teaching or education; or
- bachelor degree in any discipline plus graduate certificate in teaching or education; or
- graduate diploma (or higher qualification) in teaching or education; or
- bachelor degree in teaching or education followed by at least two years full-time (or equivalent) work experience in teaching or education.
If you qualify for the 1-year program you will be automatically granted 48 credit points of general advanced standing towards the option units. This will be confirmed in your offer letter.
Minimum academic requirements
Entry requirements
1.5-year program
You must have a recognised completed bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in any discipline.
1-year program
You must have one of the following recognised completed:
- bachelor honours degree in teaching or education; or
- bachelor degree in any discipline plus graduate certificate in teaching or education; or
- graduate diploma (or higher qualification) in teaching or education; or
- bachelor degree in teaching or education followed by at least two years full-time (or equivalent) work experience in teaching or education^.
^ If applying on the basis of work experience you must submit a detailed CV, position details, and employment statements. All work experience must be after completion of your degree studies.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake | 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $4,700 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $34,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $4,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $32,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
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