Course summary

The Master of Teaching is a graduate-entry qualification that prepares graduates for secondary or early childhood teaching. Graduates can teach in secondary schools (up to two subjects), or in early childhood settings (six-weeks to five-years-old) depending on their selected stream.

The degree includes an extended educational research project. Professional experience placements are included throughout the course to enable students to become highly competent and experienced teachers.

Applicants for the Master of Teaching must submit a 1,000-word personal statement outlining their non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements for further information. 

The Master of Teaching is a graduate-entry qualification that prepares graduates for secondary or early childhood teaching. Graduates can teach in secondary schools (up to two subjects), or in early childhood settings (six-weeks to five-years-old) depending on their selected stream.

The degree includes an extended educational research project. Professional experience placements are included throughout the course to enable students to become highly competent and experienced teachers.

Applicants for the Master of Teaching must submit a 1,000-word personal statement outlining their non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements for further information. 

Students complete four research units that focus on an area of education that is significant to their field of teacher training, or to education as a whole.

They can select the Early Childhood stream, to become an early childhood teacher (six-weeks to five-years-old).

OR

They select the Secondary stream to become a secondary school teacher in up to two of the following subjects:

  • English
  • Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), which comprises modern history or geography, with the optional addition of ancient history, business studies, legal studies, economics, society and culture
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
  • Science
  • Technological and Applied Studies.

Students who plan to teach in only one subject area in a secondary school, can select two elective units from topics including social and emotional wellbeing; drugs, alcohol and sexual health; children's rights; children and the law; and children's protection and participation.

Please note: All teaching subjects are offered online, but require attendance at compulsory on-campus workshops (except for Technology and Applied Studies). 

Depending on their previous study, some students may need to complete additional units, some of which may only be available on campus. All core education units can be studied on campus or online.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Demonstrate an advanced ability to research, synthesise and evaluate ideas and theories related to educational practice

Demonstrate knowledge or research principles and methods related to the field of education and teaching practice

Exercise critical analysis, problem solving and research based decision-making in school-based practice.

Demonstrate application of advanced knowledge in relation to education practice and implement targeted research to inform best practice.

Creativity

Demonstrate cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories

Demonstrate an ability use creative skills based upon understanding of research methodology in order to develop innovative and creative responses to challenges in an educational setting

Ethical practice

Demonstrate a knowledge of social responsibility, ethics and legal principles consistent with what is expected of an education professional working in a learning community and with students, parents and carers

Demonstrate an awareness of the need for student safety and support within professional frameworks

Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to legislative requirements and codes of conduct relevant to the education profession

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate advanced integrated knowledge and understanding of teaching area disciplines and curriculum frameworks

Demonstrate a research based understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy for effective educational practice

Use data informed decision making to inform professional decisions and generate theoretical propositions for improving teaching performance and educational practice

Lifelong learning

Demonstrate skills in advancing research and pedagogical practice

Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional development through self-directed learning and reflective practice.

Communication and social skills

Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions which inform professional decision making to teaching professionals, parents and the wider educational community.

Demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills applicable in professional educational settings

Cultural competence

Apply and integrate an understanding of social, indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons, in local and international contexts.

Identify and apply proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement and behaviour including diverse groups of learners such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, migrants and students from non-English speaking backgrounds

Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of inclusion and diverse learning needs

Demonstrate an understanding of and respect for diversity in others and self

Students complete a program of practical in-school teaching experiences during the course, which enable them to put theory into practice as they observe and reflect on classroom dynamics. It also provides opportunities for them to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools or early childhood settings and to demonstrate their independent and professional capabilities as teachers.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary stream) has accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Courses accredited by NESA  have national accreditation through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

The Masters of Teaching (Early Childhood stream) has accreditation as an early childhood teaching qualification by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, but students need to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding accreditation requirements.

The Australian Government has introduced a Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE), effective from July 2016. All Initial Teacher Education students across Australia will need to successfully complete the national literacy and numeracy test (LANTITE) prior to completing their course. In line with accreditation requirements, at SCU the test needs to be successfully completed prior to undertaking the final professional experience placement.

Course overview

Course code

1207286

Course abbreviation

MTeach

Credit points

192

Equivalent units

16

Duration

2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported

Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

  1. To be eligible for the award of Master of Teaching, a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (192 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. ten (10) additional units which comprise:

for a Secondary stream

  1. all units listed in Part B; and four (4) units including two (2) sequential units from Part C, and
  2. two (2) additional sequential units from Part C, or
  3. two (2) units from Part F.

for an Early Childhood stream

  1. all units listed in Part D of the Schedule of Units in accordance with ACECQA’s admission requirements
  1. all units listed in Part E.
  2. Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.

Permission to undertake a professional experience placement will at all times be at the discretion of the Head of the School of Education.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

Schedule of units

Title Level of learning Note

PART A EDUCATION CORE
EDU81001 - Understanding Children and Adolescents Introductory
EDU83001 - Learning and Support Frameworks Introductory

PART B SECONDARY STREAM

PART C SECONDARY CURRICULUM SPECIALISATION

 Note 2

PART D EARLY CHILDHOOD STREAM

PART E CAPSTONE RESEARCH SEQUENCE
EDU00751 - Critical Literature Review Advanced
EDU93001 - Research Methods in Education Advanced
EDU00754 - Research Project Advanced Note 3

PART F ELECTIVE UNITS

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Notes

Note 1: Includes professional experience placement in a secondary school.
Note 2: Sequential units in a curriculum specialisation are indicated by their naming; e.g. Curriculum Specialisation: Visual Arts I and Curriculum Specialisation: Visual Arts II.
Note 3: Double-weighted unit.

Unit groups