Master of Education (Innovative STEM Education)

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Curtin University Perth

Program Overview

The Master of Education (Innovative STEM Education) at Curtin University Perth is a one-year postgraduate program designed for educators who want to strengthen their expertise in contemporary education and develop the capability to design and lead innovative STEM learning in their own educational context. Students build advanced knowledge of educational research, practice and leadership while specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with the degree also incorporating a capstone project that allows them to research and transform real-world educational practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: During the one-year full-time Master of Education, students develop their understanding of contemporary educational practice while completing the Innovative STEM Education specialisation, which comprises four units. The specialisation focuses on developing, extending and refining students’ STEM knowledge and practice so they can design and lead enriching STEM innovations within their educational settings.

Capstone and application: Alongside the specialisation studies, the Master of Education includes a capstone project, giving students an opportunity to investigate an educational issue, apply research-informed knowledge and translate their findings into improved real-world educational practice. Curtin also allows students to customise the degree by combining subjects from its available specialisations, subject to the course structure.

Focus Areas

Innovative STEM Education: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education; STEM innovation; educational practice; curriculum and pedagogical leadership; research-informed education; technology-supported learning; and leading STEM innovation in educational contexts.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes: Graduates develop the ability to critically engage with current educational research and theory, analyse and evaluate information from diverse sources, use technologies to communicate information effectively, apply research-informed perspectives to improve educational practice, recognise cultural and individual differences in education, and demonstrate leadership and innovation in the education field.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional alignment: The program is designed as a postgraduate qualification for existing educators and focuses on strengthening professional knowledge, contemporary educational practice, STEM capability and curriculum and pedagogical leadership. Curtin describes the Innovative STEM Education specialisation as developing the capability to design and lead STEM innovations in students’ educational contexts.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Graduate employability: Curtin reports that its graduates received the highest overall employer satisfaction among Western Australian universities in the 2024 Australian Government QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey. Curtin also reports that around 88% of its coursework postgraduates were in full-time employment following graduation, according to the Good Universities Guide 2026.

Education reputation: Curtin states that it was ranked in the top 70 universities globally for Education in the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) 2022–23, supporting the university’s established standing in education-related study and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Education (Innovative STEM Education) at Curtin University Perth is designed to help educators move beyond theory and develop the ability to design and lead STEM innovations in their own educational context. The specialisation strengthens students’ knowledge and professional practice across science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while the Master of Education also includes a capstone project, giving students an opportunity to research educational knowledge and transform real-world practice.

Students can also make use of Curtin Perth’s technology-rich learning environment, including computer laboratories, collaborative study areas, makerspace facilities and the TL Robertson Library. These facilities are particularly useful for researching STEM education, developing digital learning resources, collaborating with classmates and completing the program’s research and project-based work.

Practical learning opportunities and facilities include:

STEM innovation projects: The Innovative STEM Education specialisation focuses on developing students’ ability to design and lead enriching STEM innovations within their own teaching or educational context.
Capstone project: The Master of Education includes a capstone project where students can research educational knowledge and work towards transforming real-world educational practices.
Makerspace: Building 418 at Curtin Perth includes a dedicated makerspace alongside collaboration hubs and study areas, providing a useful environment for developing and exploring innovative STEM learning approaches.
Computer laboratories: Curtin Perth has major Abacus computer labs and additional faculty computer labs. The university provides computers, internet access and printing facilities to support digital coursework and project development.
Digital learning tools: Curtin Library provides access to Grammarly for writing feedback and the 23 Things online program, which develops digital skills including accessibility, video editing and digital security.
Collaborative learning: The Perth campus provides collaboration hubs, group study areas and bookable study rooms, supporting collaborative coursework, presentations and project development.
Research and academic resources: The TL Robertson Library provides access to books, journal articles and electronic resources, as well as computers, laptops, printers and bookable individual or group study rooms.
STEM environment: Students are located within a university campus that includes dedicated Science and Engineering teaching areas and associated specialist facilities, providing opportunities to engage with Curtin’s broader STEM environment.
Research-oriented learning: The program’s capstone component provides a direct opportunity to undertake education-focused research and apply findings to real-world practice, making it particularly relevant for educators interested in STEM innovation and evidence-based teaching.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Education (Innovative STEM Education) at Curtin University Perth is designed for education professionals who want to strengthen their ability to design and lead STEM innovations in their own educational context. The specialisation develops advanced knowledge and practice around STEM education, making it particularly relevant for educators, curriculum leaders and professionals involved in educational innovation.

Typical career opportunities include:

STEM Education Leader
Curriculum Designer
Education Policy Developer
Education Program/Innovation Specialist

Career development and graduate opportunities are strengthened through:

Curtin Careers: Students can access career conversations, career-pathway advice, job-search strategies, employability support and application assistance. Curtin also provides UniHub, an online platform with graduate and part-time jobs, discipline-specific career resources, workshops and employer events such as the Curtin Careers Fair.
Resume and application support: Students can use VMock for instant, targeted resume feedback, attend the Curtin Careers Resume Clinic, and receive feedback on cover letters and selection criteria.
Employment outcomes: Curtin reported that 81% of its postgraduate coursework students were in full-time employment after graduation in the Good Universities Guide 2024 results. This is a university-wide postgraduate figure rather than a statistic specific to the Master of Education.
Employer satisfaction: Curtin reported that the 2025 QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey rated employer satisfaction with Curtin graduates as the highest among universities in Western Australia, supporting the university's emphasis on career-ready graduates.
Salary information: Curtin does not publish an official salary figure specifically for graduates of the Master of Education (Innovative STEM Education). This is important because the qualification is aimed at advancing existing education professionals rather than functioning as a teacher-registration qualification, so graduate salaries can vary substantially according to the student's existing role, experience and employer.
STEM industry and school partnerships: Curtin has an established STEM for Schools initiative involving hands-on programs, workshops, excursions and collaboration with teachers. This gives students an environment closely connected to the practical challenges of STEM education.
Specific STEM partnership – STEMSmart: Curtin partnered with STEMSmart to combine Curtin's learning-and-teaching strategies and STEM outreach with STEMSmart's digital products and courses. Potential projects included digital boot camps and immersive technology learning experiences, providing a strong example of Curtin's engagement with contemporary STEM education.
School collaboration: Curtin has partnered with St Stephen’s School to develop entrepreneurship, innovation and STEM-focused curricula, including workshops, game-based learning and transdisciplinary approaches to real-world challenges.
Work-integrated learning: Curtin's WIL approach incorporates projects, activities, placements and practice-based learning, helping students connect academic concepts with industry and community contexts.
Professional recognition: This Master of Education specialisation is designed for professional development and advanced education practice. It should not be confused with Curtin's initial teacher-education courses: the Master of Education is not presented as a pathway that itself provides teacher registration. Its long-term value is therefore strongest for existing educators and education professionals seeking advancement into STEM leadership, curriculum, innovation and educational development.
Graduate capabilities: Curtin's graduate-attribute framework is designed to ensure students develop discipline knowledge alongside capabilities and professional attributes that can be demonstrated to employers.

Further Academic Progression: Students who complete the Master of Education to a high standard may be eligible to progress to doctoral-level studies. This creates a pathway toward a PhD or other doctoral research, particularly suitable for graduates who want to move into advanced educational research, university teaching, policy development or specialist STEM-education research.