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. This degree consists of 12 specialist teaching courses. 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 brain-based approaches to learning, as well as extensive and well-supported professional experience placements.

• Program summary

  First year

  • EDUC6XXX Teaching Method 1: 7-10 (First Teaching Area)
  • EDUC6XXX Teaching Method 1: 7-10 (Second Teaching Area)
  • EDUC6085 Creating a Positive Learning Environment
  • EDUC6078 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students; Culturally Responsive Connections
  • EDUC6097 Professional Experience 1 – Secondary (FRM) (6 weeks/30 days, beginning of School Term 3)
    Or EDUC6098 Professional Experience 1 – Secondary (SYD) (6 weeks/30 days, beginning of School Term 3)
  • EDUC6XXX Teaching Method 2: 11-12 (First Teaching Area)
  • EDUC6XXX Teaching Method 2: 11-12 (Second Teaching Area)
  • EDUC6099 Teaching Strategies for Students with English as an Additional Language or Dialect (9 weeks)
  • EDUC6100 Integrating Technology in Education

  Second year

  • EDUC6086 Enriching Inclusive Education
  • EDUC6101 Literacy Across the Curriculum
  • THEO6010 Scripture and Church OR Elective
  • THEO6470 Sacraments in the Catholic Tradition OR Elective
  • CORE Elective
  • EDUC6102 Professional Engagement & Internship (including GTPA) – Secondary (FRM)
    Or EDUC6103 Professional Engagement & Internship (including GTPA) – Secondary (SYD)

  Teaching Method areas

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Double Science
  • Drama
  • Human Society and its Environment (HISE)
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
  • Media Studies
  • Ancient History
  • Studies of Religion
  • Chemistry
  • Business Studies
  • Legal Studies
  • Economics
  • Modern History
  • Earth and Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Physics
  • Philosophy and Ethics
  • Biology

  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: Admissions.

  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 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 Secondary Teaching graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply an advanced and integrated professional content knowledge specific to a particular teaching area or areas, based on the requirements of the relevant curricula and advance that knowledge through the application of relevant pedagogy in their teaching;
  2. Critically analyse, synthesise and integrate a complex body of professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape adolescents’ learning to create 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. Demonstrate and critically reflect upon the importance of the appropriate cultural sensitivities and knowledges necessary to teach secondary Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students in ways that recognise, respect and respond to their unique stories, cultures, practises 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 reflect a student’s learning;
  6. Synthesize 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;
  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. Foster and engage in critical self- and peer-reflection to evaluate the contributions a particular teaching area or areas make to the education of students and take advantage of crossdisciplinary teaching opportunities;
  9. Integrate creative, effective, and contemporary information and communication technologies to enhance learning;
  10. Analyse professional values and ethical standards that demonstrate a commitment to secure socially just and sustainable futures for learners.

• Practical component

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

  • EDUC6097 Professional Experience 1 – Secondary (FRM) / EDUC6098 Professional Experience 1 – Secondary (SYD)
  • EDUC6102 Professional Engagement & Internship (including GTPA) – Secondary (FRM) / EDUC6103 Professional Engagement & Internship (including GTPA) – Secondary (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/ professional placement in the program all students must successfully demonstrate the required minimum level of personal literacy and numeracy through 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 which qualifies graduates for registration/accreditation as a teacher in any Australian state of territory.

• 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