#1 in Australia for education and educational research*
#5 in the world for education and educational research*
Accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching
Key facts
Duration
2 years* full-time, or part-time equivalent
* full-time students may complete in 1.5 calendar years with compulsory study in trimester 3
Locations
Please note online students will be required to attend intensives on campus
OnlineKey dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2024 close 21 January 2024
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Inspire students through applied, inclusive and holistic approaches to teaching by studying the Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary). Enter this VIT-approved course with an undergraduate degree in at least one discipline area, or via our new Graduate Certificate of Adult Vocational Educational and Training with your industrial experience, and graduate with the qualifications to teach in secondary schools and other youth settings like VCAL.
Want to go beyond textbook teaching to make a lasting impact on your students?
The Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary) focuses on the middle and upper years of schooling and has a strong emphasis on experiential and applied learning pedagogies that enhance student engagement. With expertise in applied methods of teaching, you can work more effectively with your students by connecting theory and classroom discussions to real-world relevance. On top of that, you will be trained to teach students in a holistic manner, moulding their studies to their personal strengths, interests and goals.
You’ll thrive under the personalised support of our experienced course academics, access sought-after professional development opportunities and develop your skills through authentic learning, all on the way to becoming a world-class educator.
The course is designed for professionals from other backgrounds who are passionate about sharing their knowledge with future generations and seeking a career change. As a result, the course covers foundational topics, including an introduction to teaching for middle and later years, as well as advanced study areas like applied learning practice and teaching strategies for vocational pathways. In addition, you will choose elective units that match your interests and enhance your teaching practice. With themes including social justice, equity in the workplace and personalised learning, electives offer a broader perspective of education and highlight the need for cultural diversity and inclusivity in Australian education participation.
A highlight of the course is the practical learning opportunities that prepare you to teach with confidence and conviction. Every student in the Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary) will undertake at least 75-days of professional experience in schools. This valuable experience allows you to develop your teaching methods, interact with students and work alongside experienced teachers with a wealth of knowledge to pass on.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary)
- Year
2024 course information
- Deakin code
- E737
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Course structure
To be awarded a Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary), students are required to successfully complete 16 credit points comprising:
11 core units (12 credit points)
4 credit points in one of the following two configurations:
- Option 1: Research Project
- EDX701, EDX707 plus 2 credit points of course electives from the list A below
- Option 2: Research Paper
- EDX701, EDX712, EDX703, EDX704
- DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Plus: 75-days of professional experience in schools, and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment. This must be complete in the final year of study. Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has met the expected standard of performance for each of the Graduate Teacher Standards.
Students are also required to complete below 2 zero (0) credit point units ELN010 and ELN011 as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate from their course.
12
Core and Professional experience credit points
4
Research pathway and Elective credit points
16
Total credit points
Core units
Professional Experience Placement Units*
*please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed
Plus 4 credit points in one of the following two configurations:
Option 1: Research Project
Plus 2 credit points of course electives
Option 2: Research Paper
Elective units
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online*
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online*
Notes:
i. Some units within this course have face-to-face intensives. Please refer to individual unit entries in the handbook, as well as the Online Unit Site, for accurate advice around this requirement; and
ii. This course requires students to undertake studies throughout the Trimester 3 academic period (core unit ECN733).
Additional course information
Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/.
For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Workload
Successful students typically spend about 150-hours in learning and assessment for each one credit point unit. The time required to prepare evidence for credential assessment varies based on the student's existing documentation.
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum course entry requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree in a different discipline, including successful completion of major studies in at least one curriculum area recognised by the regulatory authority (Victorian Institute of Teaching)
- completion of a Graduate Certificate of Adult Vocational Education and Training (GCAVET) and an approved Certificate of Proficiency/Completion of Trade with relevant industrial experience not less than eight years including their apprenticeship)
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0) speaking and listening 7.5
- TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score of 102 (with minimum score of 24 in reading and speaking, 27 in listening and writing)
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65) speaking and listening 73
English-speaking education:
- completion of a bachelor or master degree in a recognised English-speaking country or completion of DUELI English for Teaching program, with a WAM of 60.
Non-academic requirements
All applicants must sit the Casper test. Casper is a requirement for many of the initial teacher training courses in Victoria. It is a non-cognitive online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes.
Learn more about how to register for Casper and deadlines for sittings for VTAC applications and direct applications.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you’re able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $51,550.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2024 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
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- $* is the estimated full cost for a Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary) (16 credit points), based on the 2024 fees.
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Search or browse through our scholarships
Victorian Government education scholarship
You may be eligible to receive up to $9,000 as part of the support provided by the Victorian government to become a secondary teacher. Visit vic.gov.au for details.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Research Information
Students are able to undertake 1 of 2 options for research training and research in the course. Each option has a common foundation that is based on an introductory unit of 1 credit point in research design and method. This research study is then further supported by 1 of the 2 research options:
- Option 1: application of the research training through a 1 credit point research based project for professional practice
- Option 2: advanced research training of 1 credit point of either quantitative or qualitative research methods; and Research Paper (2 credit points).
Entry pathways
For graduate-entry initial teacher education courses, applicants may be eligible for Recognition of prior learning (RPL) if additional Australian professional accreditation requirements are also met.
Students may seek an alternate exit after the successful completion of 4 credit points, please refer to the Graduate Certificate of Applied Learning and Teaching course entry for further information.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Career outcomes
The Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary) equips you with the advanced professional knowledge, skills and attributes required of educators working in high schools and other youth learning contexts where applied and vocational learning are implemented.
As a graduate, you will have the qualifications required to teach in:
- secondary schools (in subject areas relevant to your undergraduate study areas)
- the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
- the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in Australia (pending your specialist teaching area).
Professional recognition
This initial teacher program is approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) against the National Graduate Teacher standards for the purposes of teacher registration in Victoria.
Graduates intending to apply for registration in Victoria should carefully check all VIT requirements relating to this process.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Critically analyse and apply specialist knowledge of current theories of young people’s social and cognitive development, along with theories of learning and curriculum to plan, teach, assess and reflect for effective design and innovative learning programs. |
| Communication | Make critical use of professional judgement to engage in effective and inclusive interpersonal communication in order to create positive learning relationships with students, parents, colleagues and other stakeholders. |
| Digital literacy | Identify, evaluate and implement a range of digital teaching and learning resources and technologies to facilitate creative but safe student engagement in learning with responsible and ethical practice. |
| Critical thinking | Identify, synthesise and critically evaluate context-specific information to make informed judgements to improve students’ learning. |
| Problem solving | Research authentic challenges and opportunities of professional practice to develop and evaluate innovative responses through drawing on relevant literature and professional practice. |
| Self-management | Work and learn independently whilst participating actively and effectively as a member of the teaching profession. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively and effectively within interdisciplinary teaching teams in order to enhance professional practice of self and others. |
| Global citizenship | Exercise self-knowledge and ethical responsibility to engage effectively with diverse learners and communities in local and global contexts. |
| Approved by Faculty Board June 2019 | |
Events Explore more events
Master of Applied Learning and Teaching (Secondary) webinar
Footnotes
* U.S. News & World Report, Best Global Universities Subject Rankings 2022–2023