Education is one of the central functions of a university. It is not surprising, therefore, that one of the first faculties established at Monash should have been the Faculty of Education. This faculty is concerned with the professional education of teachers and related professionals and with research into the many-faceted ways in which education is conducted in society and in which education, society and individuals interact with each other. The faculty's tradition of scholarly research, professional education and community service is substantial, having been built up since the faculty's foundation in 1964, and the faculty is constantly revising its courses and their constituent units and exploring new research opportunities. While many students enrolled within the faculty are intending to teach in schools or early childhood settings or are teachers already, there is an increasing number of students who wish to study education for other reasons.
Education takes place in the community in many ways and in many institutions other than schools.
The faculty's courses have become increasingly attractive to educators in the fields of health, business, nursing, social work, industrial training, commerce, law, the public service, professional associations, tertiary institutions and community fields generally. Undergraduate preservice courses are offered on all three campuses. Preservice graduate diploma of education courses are also offered on each campus. All campuses offer graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas and degrees, both by coursework and research. Many of these courses are available in off-campus mode or in mixed mode.