Master of Secondary Teaching

School of Education

With a strong emphasis on practical classroom experience, our Master of Secondary Teaching is an excellent preparation for graduates who want to teach at secondary school level. You will bring the knowledge you gained in your undergraduate degree and develop knowledge, skills and experience that allows you to pass it on to secondary school students.

• Why study this degree?

  The Master of Secondary Teaching degree allows you to take your professional approach to the in-school development of teaching competence. At Notre Dame you can expect solid and supportive mentoring arrangements and coursework that is contemporary, practical, interactive and focused on problem-solving.

  This program prepares all graduates to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate level. You will learn to plan, teach and assess learning in each of your teaching areas, as well as to understand students, how they learn and how best to support their developing minds. The program includes a focus on classroom management, development of the whole person and evidence-based approaches to learning, as well as extensive and well-supported professional experience placements.

• Program summary

  First year

  • Foundations of Learning
  • Literacy & Numeracy Across the Curriculum
  • Transforming Learning through ICT
  • Professional Experience 1: Managing Learning Environments
  • Teaching Methods: 7-10
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Culturally Responsive Connections

  Second year

  • Enriching Inclusive Education
  • Teaching Strategies for Students with English as an Additional Language or Dialect
  • Teaching Methods: 11-12
  • Professional Engagement & Internship
  • CORE Elective

  Teaching Method areas

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Earth and Environmental Science
    • Psychology
  • Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
    • Philosophy and Ethics
    • Religion & Life
  • Human Society and its Environment (HISE)
    • Ancient History
    • Modern History
    • Business Studies
    • Legal Studies
    • Economics
    • Studies of Religion
  • Personal Development Health & Physical Education
    • Outdoor Education
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Drama

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

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University’s Policy: Admission and Credit.

  Specific Program Requirements for Admission 

  To be eligible for admission to the Master of Secondary Teaching applicants must also meet the following specific requirements.

  • This award is only available to those who hold a bachelor degree from a recognised Higher Education Provider.
  • Applicants who have not successfully completed their Secondary education in an English-speaking country will be required to sit the IELTS Academic Test and achieve a minimum overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic, with no score lower than 8.0 in speaking and listening, and no score lower than 7.0 in reading and writing.
  • Applicants must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum of six courses in an area of study offered by UNDA.
  • Applicants may also be admitted with a second teaching area (usually at least 4 units) in a discipline area relevant to the secondary school curriculum.

• Learning outcomes

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

  1. Apply an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge within a specific teaching area or areas, based on the curriculum as prescribed through curricular, policy and accreditation bodies.
  2. Critically analyse, synthesise and integrate a complex body of professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape learning to create appropriately inclusive programs that support all learners to reach their potential.
  3. Maximise the learning potential of students by applying sound, research-based pedagogies of how students learn best;
  4. Demonstrate and critically reflect upon the importance of the appropriate cultural sensitivities and knowledges necessary to teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students in ways that recognise, respect and respond to their unique stories, cultures, practices and ways of knowing, being and seeing;
  5. Research and apply a wide repertoire of professional practices in assessment, reporting and evaluation to effectively gauge and respond to students’ learning;
  6. Synthesise specialised cognitive and technical skills to meaningful professional experience placements to consolidate planning, teaching and learning, and evaluation skills to further students’ educational success
  7. Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate professional engagement that is characterised by comprehensive planning, relevant feedback to students, and  appropriate communication with parents carers and other stakeholders;
  8. Critically reflect on your own and others’ teaching to enhance professional practice, evaluate the impact of your discipline on student learning, and identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration
  9. Critically integrate creative, effective, and contemporary information and communication technologies (ICTs) to design and evaluate learning experiences that enhance student engagement and outcomes
  10. Critically apply professional values and ethical standards to promote socially just, inclusive, and sustainable educational practices that support the future success of all learners.

• Practical component

  As a student studying the Master of Secondary Teaching you are required to complete a minimum of 12 weeks of practicum that is comprised of:

  • EDUC6097/6098 Professional Experience 1: Managing Learning Environments – FRM/SYD
  • EDUC6102/6103 Professional Engagement & Internship (including GTPA) – FRM/SYD

  To be able to undertake Professional Experience students will require documentation and checks depending on their state.

  WA students will require a current Working with Children Check and a National Police Clearance Check within six (months) of expiry.

  NSW students will require Anaphylaxis E-training, Child Protection Awareness, DoE Consent, Mandatory Child Protection, Pre-service teacher acknowledgement and a Working with Children Check.

  All students will be required to attempt the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in their first year. Prior to being eligible for the final internship, all students must successfully demonstrate the required minimum level of personal literacy and numeracy by meeting the standard on LANTITE.

• 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

  During this degree, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers. Professional experiences provide a total immersion in the classroom environment, exposing you to the lived experience of a teacher. You will develop teaching skills in your teaching areas.

• Professional accreditation

  The Master of Secondary Teaching has been accredited by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (WATRB) and is recognised by the New South Wales Education and Standards Authority (NESA). The degree is a nationally recognised teaching qualification that allows for accreditation in any state or territory in Australia.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

• 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?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007