Educational Equity – Master of Sustainable Development Goals

Equips you with the knowledge and skills to take on leading education roles in diverse global and national contexts with a greater sense of equity and social justice through and within education.

Where you can study
Distance and online
International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Specialise in Educational Equity for your Master of Sustainable Development Goals at Massey

The Educational Equity specialisation of the MSDG will equip you with the pedagogical and theoretical knowledge to consider social, economic and ecological challenges within the education context.

In relation to the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa – for whom educational equity is still very elusive – we strive to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. This specialisation can develop education systems that allow for equitable educational outcomes for Māori.

Educational equity is critical in achieving many of the other 16 Sustainable Development Goals.

A Master of Sustainable Development Goals in Educational Equity is a good fit if you:

  • Seek theoretical and applied understanding of the importance of equity in society
  • Want to advance Tiriti obligations and address inequity issues in practice.

Planning information

Planning information

The Master of Sustainable Development Goals (Educational Equity) is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.

Part One is coursework and Part Two is a student practicum.

For progression from Part One to Part Two, you must achieve a Grade Average of at least a B over the 120 credits of the Part One courses.

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

131703 Gender and Development is offered in alternate years.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Master of Sustainable Development Goals

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Master of Sustainable Development Goals core courses

Educational Equity courses

Part One Subject courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 249733 Mana Ōrite in Education 30 credits

A critical study of equity through the framework of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

View full course details
Course code: 249734 Equity and Inclusion in Education 30 credits

A critical study of equity and inclusion in education through a human rights lens.

View full course details
Course code: 254744 Pacific Peoples and Education in New Zealand 30 credits

A critical examination of current issues in education which affect Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand. Students will consider the place of Pacific Islands peoples in New Zealand society and design strategies for meeting their educational needs within specified professional fields of interest.

View full course details
Course code: 254770 Valuing Relationships and Practices in Educational Contexts, Settings and Communities 30 credits

A critical study of Western, Māori and indigenous approaches to the leadership of relationships and professional practice in the context of global demands for increased accountability, standardisation, and control in education.

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Course code: 259771 Educational Leadership in Action 30 credits

A study of leadership in action including reflective practice, and professional and curriculum leadership, based on selected organisational and policy contexts.

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Course code: 269733 Mana Motuhake: Contemporary Issues in Māori & Indigenous Education 30 credits

An analysis of power, politics and resistance that underpin a range of contemporary and topical social issues which impact on Māori and/or indigenous education. A critical examination of the role of advocacy, activism and protest in advancing Māori and indigenous rights and aspirations in the context of education.

View full course details

Part Two

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 131810 Sustainable Development Goals Practicum 60 credits

Advanced study in the application of the Sustainable Development Goals, involving 320 hours of professional work in an approved agency. As an integral part of the course, students will critically analyse how this work can be understood in relation to current literature on the SDGs and sustainable development.

Prerequisites: 131704, 131709

View full course details

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Sustainable Development Goals (Educational Equity) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a grade average of at least B in the highest level courses.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

  • Domestic students: $10,652
  • International students: $38,840

Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.

There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Course fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Careers and job opportunities

The qualification is designed for both teachers and those working in the fields of education policy, curriculum design and leadership, both in national and international contexts.

International students

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated 5 star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least 3 months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

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