Master of Teaching (Secondary Education)

School of Education

With a strong emphasis on practical classroom experience, our Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) is an excellent preparation for graduates who want to teach at secondary school level. Replacing the Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary), this contemporary Master’s degree offers a more graduated approach to the in-school development of teaching competence and twice as much classroom experience. Enrol today and make a positive impact on your teaching career.

• Why study this degree?

  If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, this Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) enables you to transition into a teaching career. Designed to be completed over two years of full-time study, this degree allows you to take a professional approach to the in-school development of teaching competence.

  Available as a full-time or part-time program, our Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) consists of 13 specialist teaching courses, five theological courses, one justice studies course, and two teaching placements, totalling 20 weeks of classroom practice.

  At Notre Dame, our School of Education covers the complete spectrum of higher education – from training new teachers to continuing professional development and further education of experienced educators and school leaders. To this end, you can expect solid and supportive mentoring arrangements and coursework that is contemporary, practical, interactive and focused on problem-solving.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • Planning and Pedagogy
  • Education, Service and Community Engagement
  • Transforming Learning through ICT
  • Teaching Method 1 (Major)
  • Teaching Method 2 (Specialisation)
  • Professional Experience 1 Master of Teaching Secondary
  • Psychological Principles of Classroom Management
  • Research Methods in Education
  • Catering for Students with Special Needs
  • Principles of Secondary Schools Religious Education 1
  • Sacraments in the Catholic Tradition OR Necessary Elements of the Catholic School OR General Elective

  Year Two

  • Advanced Teaching Skills
  • Literacy Across the Curriculum in the Middle School
  • Teaching and Learning Strategies for Adolescents
  • Principles of Religious Education 2 OR General Elective OR Ethics for Professional Life
  • English for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
  • Scripture and Church OR Theology Today for the Adults of Tomorrow OR General Elective
  • Professional Experience 2 Master of Teaching Secondary
  • Working with Indigenous Students
  • The Professional and Legal Responsibilities of Teachers
  • Christology OR Religious Studies in Australian Schools OR Sustainability: Systems, World Views and Futures

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

• Entry requirements

  Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a discipline relevant to the secondary school curriculum in Western Australia and provide sufficient depth for teaching a Major (up to Year 12).

  Applicants may also be admitted with a second teaching area (specialisation up to Year 10 level) demonstrating well developed knowledge and skills in a particular discipline.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) graduates will be able to:

  1. Develop an advanced and integrated professional content knowledge specific to their teaching area/s, based on the requirements of the relevant curricula and advance that knowledge through the application of relevant pedagogy in their teaching
  2. Gain the complex body of professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape an adolescent’s learning in order to become teachers who are able to provide appropriately inclusive programs that support all learners to reach their potential
  3. Maximise the learning potential of adolescent students by applying professional practices that are underpinned by sound, research-based pedagogies of how students learn best
  4. Research and apply a wide repertoire of professional practices in assessment, reporting and evaluation to effectively gauge and reflect a student’s learning
  5. Attain expert, specialised, cognitive and technical skills through the study of education units and apply this professional learning to meaningful professional practicum experiences to consolidate planning, implementation and evaluation skills furthering adolescent students’ educational success and lifelong learning
  6. Analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise current research and theoretical perspectives within their teaching area/s in order to develop sound professional understandings that will support their pedagogical practices for establishing learning environments best suited to the learning of adolescent students
  7. Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate professional engagement that is characterised by comprehensive planning, relevant and realistic feedback to adolescent students, relevant and appropriate communication with parents and carers, and connections with various other stakeholders
  8. Develop professional dispositions by fostering, articulating, and reflecting in order to understand critically the contributions their teaching area/s makes to the education of their students and be able to take advantage of cross-disciplinary opportunities in their teaching; and
  9. Demonstrate research capacity by planning and executing a research-based project.

• Practical component

  As a student studying the Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) you are required to complete a minimum of 20 weeks of practicum that is comprised of:

  • EDUC5272 Professional Experience 1 Master of Teaching Secondary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)
  • EDUC5298 Professional Experience 2 Master of Teaching Secondary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)

  Students are required to provide relevant clearance documents as directed by the School of Education.

  All Education students in WA must achieve the standards of the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). The test is administered externally by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). Education students also need to successfully complete the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment after their final teaching placement in order to graduate from this program.

• Career opportunities

  With a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education), you can teach secondary students in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools, depending on your teaching specialisation. Career opportunities within the education system include Lead teacher, faculty or year group coordinator, principal, and assistant principal.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders, and through our practicum placements, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers. Professional experiences provide a total immersion in the classroom environment, exposing the student to the lived experience of a teacher. Students will develop teaching skills in both their major and specialisation learning areas.

• Professional accreditation

  The Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) is accredited by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) via its agency the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

  Upon graduation students are eligible to teach in Catholic, Government and Independent primary schools in WA.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.