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Australian Catholic University (ACU)

  • 12% international / 88% domestic

Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership

  • Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is designed for educators aiming to become innovative leaders in education. It covers theories of leadership, management, and administration, with applications in various educational contexts, including faith-based organisations. The program is offered online and can be completed in six months.

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Certificate
Duration
0.5 semester full-time
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$2,368 per year

About this course

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is for educators including teachers, middle leaders, principals, and administrators who want to become creative and innovative leaders with influence in education. Participants explore theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to their own contexts including Catholic and faith-based educational organisations.

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is not an initial teaching qualification.

  • Enhance your professional practice. Become a leader in your school community or organisation.
  • Apply theories of educational leadership, management and administration to a school setting.
  • Offered nationally and in online mode. Complete in six months.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  • A recognised teaching qualification and a minimum 2 years teaching experience
  • OR
  • A Bachelor degree and a minimum of 2 years relevant leadership experience

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

IELTS overall score of 7.0. Individual score of 6.0 in all tests.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is for educators including teachers, middle leaders, principals, and administrators who want to become creative and innovative leaders with influence in education. Participants explore theories of educational leadership, management and administration, and learn to apply them appropriately to their own contexts including Catholic and faith-based educational organisations.

  • Enhance your professional practice. Become a leader in your school community or organisation.
  • Apply theories of educational leadership, management and administration to a school setting.
  • Offered nationally and in online mode. Complete in six months.

Career pathways

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • management and administration
  • educational leadership
  • policy development

Course structure

Commencing Semester 1Year 1 Semester 1
  • Specified units EDLE650 Foundations: Vision and Mission of Catholic Education in the Contemporary World 10.0 cp
  • Specified units EDLE651 Leading Learning in Catholic Educational Communities and Cultures 10.0 cp
  • Elective units 10.0 cp
  • Elective units 10.0 cp

Credit for prior study or work

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

How to apply

Semester 1 applications for this course open in August. Mid-year applications, if offered, open in April.

Please check the start dates at the top of this page for Mid-year availability. Mid-year entry may be offered at other campuses.

For direct applications, read more at our application deadlines page.

To receive information about this course and key application dates, register your interest.

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Teacher Education courses at Australian Catholic University (ACU).
79.7%
Overall satisfaction
72%
Skill scale
63.8%
Teaching scale
93.3%
Employed full-time
$94.8k
Average salary