Why Professional Certificate in Pragmatic Adaptive Educational Leadership?
Overview
The Professional Certificate in Pragmatic Adaptive Educational Leadership is designed to assist mid-career teachers to become educational leaders through the development of advanced skills in pragmatic adaptive educational design. The learning in this program is workplace based, and participants will normally be employed at a school that is partnering with the University to deliver program. Participants will learn to lead teams in the application of the skills of pragmatic adaptive design and an 'expansive’ approach to learning design that is heavily informed by theories of complexity and practice such as Activity Theory. They will then apply these skills within their workplace as the team they lead pragmatically applies research in areas including the development of self-regulation of learning, systems thinking, improving student use of cognitive executive functions, the development of student and teacher agency, and other topics relevant to the research partnership.
Key features
Enables mid-career teachers and researchers to co-develop pragmatic professional knowledge, empowering teachers to take greater leadership roles in schools and systems.- Embedded in professional partnerships: Delivered within wider learning and research collaborations with partnering schools and systems
- Linked with the ARC‑funded AI Playground project and the Australian Government’s Teaching Futures Pathway project.
What you'll learn
Through the Professional Certificate in Pragmatic Adaptive Educational Leadership, you will gain advanced, workplace-based expertise to lead educational innovation. By the end of the program, you will be able to:
- Describe and apply theories of complexity and practice to strengthen educational leadership, teacher professional learning, and school improvement.
- Reflect on your leadership in learning design, recognising how it supports life‑long learning, personal development, and excellence in professional practice.
- Apply diverse research, scholarship, and policy insights to identify future directions in educational design and respond to emerging trends in the learner as a complex system.
- Explain and use pragmatic adaptive modelling, including tension modelling and futures modelling, to design and lead resilient learning systems in your workplace.
- Lead the design of complex learning activities and environments, drawing on research into complex learning contexts, activity theory, and systems thinking.
- Critically reflect on educational design leadership, developing principles to guide future practice in your school or system.
- Design activities and resources informed by futures thinking pedagogies, applying scholarship on agency to empower both students and teachers.
- Apply research on design thinking and creative confidence
What courses you'll study
Complete 42 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Core courses, and
- 24 units from Electives
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Learning
|
Course code
EDUC8010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Pragmatic Adaptive Leadership
|
Course code
EDUC8019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Decision Making
|
Course code
EDUC8020
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Full Year | |||
 |
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Learning
|
Course code
EDUC8010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Pragmatic Adaptive Leadership
|
Course code
EDUC8019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Decision Making
|
Course code
EDUC8020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 24 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Pragmatic Adaptive Modelling
|
Course code
EDUC8021
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Designing for Complex Learners
|
Course code
EDUC8022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Designing for Complex Learning Contexts
|
Course code
EDUC8023
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Futures Thinking for Agency
|
Course code
EDUC8024
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Design Thinking for Creative Confidence
|
Course code
EDUC8025
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Systems thinking for Sustainability
|
Course code
EDUC8026
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Full Year | |||
|
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Learning
|
Course code
EDUC8010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Pragmatic Adaptive Leadership
|
Course code
EDUC8019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Exploring Future Oriented Decision Making
|
Course code
EDUC8020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.