Study

If you are searching for a rewarding career that will use your communication and leadership skills to shape the future of Australia’s youth, then the Master of Teaching (Secondary) is for you. Using your existing Bachelor degree as a foundation, the Master of Teaching (Secondary) offers a highly regarded, accredited teaching program enabling you to teach in just 9 months of study with paid internship opportunities.

Our online program, which you will study over four trimesters, incorporates Quality Teaching, the NSW model of pedagogy which was developed and refined by researchers at the University of Newcastle. The courses you will study will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions you will need for a successful career in teaching.

For more information about this program, check out our Master of Teaching (Secondary) admissions booklet (PDF, 373.94 KB).

Why study with us?

  • Paid internship opportunities - gain practical experience and get paid at the same time through paid internship opportunities.
  • Study anywhere, anytime - online program.
  • State of the art technologies and experience based learning in our new suite of interactive learning environments - SimTeach, SimCave and SimSchool immerse students in both virtual reality and hands on experiences.
  • Quality Teaching Model - a framework highlighting three key concepts, or dimensions, of teaching that make a difference for student outcomes, backed by robust evidence.
  • Complete within 18 months - producing graduates ready to enter a rewarding career as a secondary teacher; this program will have you teaching within 18 months due to our trimester model.
  • Become an industry expert - you will graduate with communication and leadership skills that will enhance the learning and shape the futures of secondary students.
  • Work anywhere in the world - our Master of Teaching (Secondary) is recognised nationally and internationally. You will be able to immediately seek accreditation to teach in NSW government schools.
  • Graduate work-ready - students undertake 60 days of formal professional placement in schools and 5 days of career-ready placement.
  • Be in demand - 3.7% Projected employment growth by 2026 & 5800 new Secondary School Teachers needed by 2026 (Lightcast LabourInsight, 2024).
  • Competitive salary - $2052 median weekly income for Secondary School Teachers before tax (Lightcast LabourInsight, 2024).
  • Save up to 75% with a commonwealth-supported place.

Postgrad Secondary Teaching Webinar

18 March, 6pm AEDT via zoom

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Become a teacher in just 1 year of study

The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) could be for you!

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World top 175 ? for Education
$85,000 ? teacher starting salary
96.1% employed ? within four months of graduating

What you will study

You will complete 130 units of core courses, including 40 units of courses which focus on your area of teaching specialisation, and 30 units of electives. In the core courses you will examine concepts and theories in the following learning areas:

  • Educational Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology;
  • Language as a Social Practice;
  • The Principles and Practice of Teaching, including an emphasis on pedagogy and assessment; and
  • The Integration of New Technologies into the curriculum

You can undertake teacher preparation in the following disciplines: Aboriginal studies, business studies, drama, economics, English, geography, history, languages, legal studies, mathematics, music, PDHPE, science, technology, and visual arts. Excluding the areas of visual arts, technology, and music, you can qualify in two teaching areas.

In addition to your on-campus work, you will complete 60 days of formal professional experience in the classroom and 5 days of career-ready placement in educational settings. You will have the opportunity to build relationships with staff in schools. Upon graduation you will be ready to embark on your career with confidence.

This degree requires students to participate in placements in NSW Department of Education or other NSW schools, service, or relevant education facility. During placement, students will be subject to the policies and procedures of the placement facility. Students must meet all the Education Placement Requirements, including a NSW Working with Children clearance.

2024 Program Handbook

Refer to the program handbook for details of the complete program structure, course requirements and availability.

View program handbook

My Degree Planner

Use our degree planner to see what your study journey through the Master of Teaching (Secondary) might look like.

Prospective student planner Current student planner

Career

Career opportunities

At the completion of your Master of Teaching (Secondary) you will be equipped with the appropriate theoretical and practical skills and knowledge to flourish as a successful secondary school teacher. You will enter the education system as a capable and professional individual with a well-developed sense of professional ethics. You will be eligible to apply for registration with the NSW Education Standards Authority*, essential for employment as a teacher in NSW. Your postgraduate qualification will also support registration as a teacher in other jurisdictions both nationally and internationally.

*The Master of Teaching (Secondary) program is accredited with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

You will be prepared to begin your career teaching students from Year 7 through to Year 12 and have the opportunity to embark on some of the following example career pathways:

  • Classroom Teacher;
  • School Counsellor;
  • Teacher Librarian;
  • Head Teacher of a teaching discipline; and
  • School Executive and Principal

Application info

Applying for Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Ok, great, let's go!

Applications for 2024 are open and will close on 14 January 2024 (Trimester 1) and 14 April 2024 (Trimester 2).

Before submitting your application, please review the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Admission Information Pack for detailed admission and program information.

This pack also contains the Teaching Area Nomination Form, which you will be required to complete and upload with your application.

Apply to study in Australia

Both students and education agents can submit applications online. This is our preferred way of application. You can save your application after you have started, and come back to it later.

Before you get started

To ensure that the process goes smoothly for you, you should complete the following steps before applying:

  1. Review the program that you wish to apply for. Note the admission criteria, admission instructions, requirements & structure and any additional information listed.
  2. Review the program fees and costs.
  3. Check whether your postgraduate program has a Semester or a Trimester closing date. Please view the application closing date.
  4. If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you need to satisfy the University's English language requirements and ensure that you can provide evidence of your English proficiency if required.

You will be considered for entry based on criteria such as your undergraduate studies and/or equivalent prior learning and/or relevant work experience.

Postgraduate application process

Other things to consider

Make sure you double check the special entry requirements, assumed knowledge or recommended studies for the degree:

This program is available for domestic students only.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a 160-unit postgraduate qualification, with assessment for admission available for applicants who have one of the following qualifications or equivalent:

  • Bachelor Honours Degree; or
  • Bachelor Degree.

For admission, the applicants’ qualification must satisfy the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements for accreditation.

Admission to the program is based on a 500 word written piece of work and the Grade Point Average of the completed undergraduate degree. 

This degree requires students to participate in placements in NSW Department of Education or other NSW school or service providers via the completion of 35 hours teacher observations and small group participation, and 60 days of professional experience across two placements.

Placements may extend beyond normal trimester times and students must meet their own associated travel and accommodation costs, where applicable.

During placement, students will be subject to the policies and procedures of the placement facility.

Students must meet all the Education Placement Requirements, including a NSW Working with Children clearance.

Students must check the Professional Experience Website for all placement information.

In addition to meeting the University's overall requirements for academic progression, students must satisfactorily complete the following courses to progress in their program.

EDUC6772 - The Adolescent Learning Environment

EDUC6785 - Educational Foundations

EDUC6913 - The Global Secondary Professional

You can look at Uni prep for options to brush up on knowledge before you start.

View University key dates