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Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Postgraduate coursework

Expand your opportunities with a teaching qualification. Teach at the secondary level or apply your skills to a range of roles in almost any sector.

Key facts

English language requirements

IELTS band score of 7 (with no band less than 7) and speaking and listening of 7.5

Duration

2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (16 credit points)

Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period

Locations

International campus based students undertake their studies at Burwood (Melbourne)

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Become one of the inspiring individuals empowering future generations through education. Deakin’s Master of Teaching (Secondary) prepares you for a creative, challenging and truly rewarding career.

Looking for an adaptable teaching qualification that opens doors to a diverse range of industries?

As a graduate of the Master of Teaching (Secondary), your employment opportunities will be vast. You’ll be qualified to teach at secondary level anywhere in Australia, with skills that will also enable you to pivot into a broader range of roles. Learn how to think like a teacher and develop an invaluable mindset that can be applied to almost any sector, including education, youth work, corporate learning and development, NGOs, media and community-based organisations.

Learn from highly experienced, passionate teachers who understand first-hand the importance of recognising all students as people first. You’ll discover how to foster well-balanced relationships in the classroom to ensure students build positive connections with their peers, in turn promoting an environment to thrive.

With the option to undertake a specialisation that includes research elements, you’ll develop practical classroom skills along with critical thinking and evaluative research skills. To ensure you gain a holistic understanding of how students learn, you’ll also have the opportunity to study and collaborate with early childhood educators, primary and secondary teachers.

You can also choose to participate in Deakin’s Global Education Program and gain a broader perspective on teaching. Experience teaching in a remote community interstate or overseas and develop your skills in intercultural education while improving your resume.

This, combined with at least 60-days of professional placement and your completion of a Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA), benchmarked against national standards of teaching performance, means you’ll be set for success in the classroom and beyond.

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Course information

Award granted
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Year

2023 course information

Deakin code
E763
CRICOS code?
088431E Burwood (Melbourne)
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

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is typically 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money

To qualify for the award of Master of Teaching (Secondary), students must complete the following:

  • 7 core units (8 credit points)
  • 2 curriculum study units in a first teaching method area
  • 2 curriculum study units in a second teaching method area
  • A further 4 credit points in one of the following specialisations:
    1. Inclusive Education
    2. Internship
    3. Languages Teaching
    4. Research
    5. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

This course includes 60-days of supervised professional experience, 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 two 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.

11

Core units and teaching methods

4

Specialisation

15

Total units

Core units

  • Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points)
  • Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points)
  • Language, Literacies and Learning
  • Numeracy, Social Justice and New Pedagogies
  • Health, Wellbeing and Inclusive Education
  • Promoting Student Wellbeing
  • Professional Experience Placement Units*

  • Orientation to the Teaching Profession
  • Building Capacity in Professional Experience
  • Reflecting On Practice in Professional Experience (2 credit points)
  • *please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed

    Two Second Curriculum Studies units in a first teaching method area

    Two Secondary Curriculum Studies units in a second teaching method area

    Specialisations

    Students to select 4 credit points in one of the following specialisations:

    Inclusive Education

  • Research Design Development and Method
  • Personalising Learning
  • Teaching and Learning in the Inclusive Classroom
  • Independent Research Project for Professional Practice
  • Languages Teaching

    Student must meet the VIT Specialist Area Guidelines for Languages Teaching to enrol in this specialisation.

  • Research Design Development and Method
  • Teaching and Learning in Languages Classrooms
  • CLIL Pedagogy
  • Independent Research Project for Professional Practice
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

  • Research Design Development and Method
  • Pedagogy for TESOL and EAL Learners
  • Pedagogic Grammar
  • Independent Research Project for Professional Practice
  • Research

  • Research Design Development and Method
  • Theory and Methodology in Education Research
  • Research Paper A
  • Research Paper B
  • Internship

  • Internship (4 credit points)
  • Secondary Curriculum Study Units

    Learning Area 1: English

    Single Method: English

  • English Curriculum Inquiry
  • English Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Dual Method: English/EAL

  • English Curriculum Inquiry
  • English Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Pedagogy for TESOL and EAL Learners
  • Pedagogic Grammar
  • Learning Area 2: Mathematics

    Single Method: Mathematics

  • Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry
  • Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Double Method: Mathematics

  • Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry
  • Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics 7-10: Geometry and Measurement
  • Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics 7-10: Algebraic Thinking and Function
  • Learning Area 3: Science

    Single Method: One of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science, Physics or Psychology

  • Science Curriculum Inquiry
  • Plus one of

  • Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Physics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Psychology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Dual Method: Two of Science, Biology, Chemistry, Env. Science, Physics or Psychology

  • Science Curriculum Inquiry
  • Sustainability and Environmental Education
  • Plus two of

  • Biology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Chemistry Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Environmental Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Physics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Psychology Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • General Science Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Learning Area 4: Humanities

    Single Method: Humanities - Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Business, Legal Studies or Global Politics

  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry
  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Single Method: Humanities - History

  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry
  • History Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Dual Method: Humanities/SOSE with History - one of Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Business, Legal Studies or Global Politics - plus History

  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry
  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • History Curriculum Inquiry
  • History Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Dual Method: Humanities/SOSE - two of Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Business, Legal Studies or Global Politics - without History

  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry
  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Humanities Critical Inquiry 7 - 10
  • Humanities Research Inquiry Senior Years
  • Learning Area 5: Languages

    Single Method: Languages - Language Other Than English (LOTE)

  • Teaching and Learning in Languages Classrooms
  • CLIL Pedagogy
  • Single Method: Languages - TESOL

  • Pedagogy for TESOL and EAL Learners
  • Pedagogic Grammar
  • Dual Method: Languages - LOTE and TESOL

  • Teaching and Learning in Languages Classrooms
  • CLIL Pedagogy
  • Pedagogy for TESOL and EAL Learners
  • Pedagogic Grammar
  • Learning Area 6: Health and PE

    Single Method: Health

  • Health Curriculum Inquiry
  • Health Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Single Method: Home Economics

  • Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry
  • Home Economics Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Single Method: Physical Education

  • Physical Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Physical Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Learning Area 7: The Arts

    Single Method: Arts - One of Dance, Drama, Music or Visual Arts

  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Single Method: Arts - Media

  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry 2
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years 2
  • Dual Method: Arts - Two different arts methods: Dance, Drama, Media, Music or Visual Arts

  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry 2
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years 2
  • Double Method: Arts - Two of the same arts methods: Music, Drama, Visual Arts or Dance only

  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry Senior Years
  • Arts Education Critical Inquiry
  • Arts Education Research Inquiry Senior Years
  • 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:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)

    Additional course information

    Successful Applicants are required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional experience placements in education settings, as part of this course. For more information see: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

    Interstate applicants must check the requirements and meet all conditions for undertaking professional experience in schools for their state or territory before undertaking professional experience placements as part of this course. Some state procedures and requirements require more time and this can impact whether students can be approved to undertake a placement in their first trimester of study.

    The Working with Children Check (Check) and a Police Check are different. Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (the Act) if you are doing child-related work and are not exempt, you must have a Check even if you already have a Police Check. The Police Check is not an assessment by a government agency. https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/organisations/victorian-teacher-information.

    Course duration - additional information

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

    Participation requirements

    Professional Experience Placements are a compulsory component of the course and a requirement for registration as a graduate teacher. Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

    Students are required to check the placement calendars published on the Professional Experience Office website each year. Placement takes priority over employment and placement periods are generally block placements of 5 full time days per week over 2-5 weeks.

    Course delivery is blended and students are required to dedicate time to weekly engagement with located or online teaching and learning activities and resources. This is recommended at combined total 8-10 hours per week per unit including active learning/engagement either face to face or online, and independent study.

    Some units will require students to attend schools or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences. Some units can only be completed face to face at Burwood or as online study. Trimesters where students are likely to be undertaking large blocks of placement might require units to offer intensive study face to face. Some units will require students to attend schools or institutions for site-based learning and teaching experiences. Some units can only be completed face to face at Burwood or as online study. 

    Entry requirements

    Entry information

    Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications.

    Admission is based on:

    All applicants must complete an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes. Deakin University is using the Casper test. Casper is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.

    Applicants who intend to teach in a State other than Victoria should seek confirmation from the relevant employing authority that the content and structure of their initial degree will qualify them for employment in that State on satisfactory completion of this course.

    IELTS / English language requirements 

    Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

    It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)

    Admissions information

    Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Graduate Entry Teaching (GET) courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

    Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.

    All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.

    Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.

    For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library

    Online studies

    Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

    However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least 1 unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in 1 face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

    Recognition of prior learning

    Am I eligible to receive 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.

    Recognition for Prior Learning in the Master of Teaching (Secondary) is restricted by the professional accreditation structures of the course. Students are encouraged to apply for RPL for comparable curriculum discipline units completed at postgraduate level.

    Recognition is not available for any work experience whether paid or unpaid, qualified or unqualified teacher or teacher aide against the academic professional experience units. 

    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

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    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 tuition fees.

    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

    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.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply through Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.

    Deakin International office or Deakin representative

    Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage
    If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.

    Research Information

    This is a graduate entry teaching course that introduces research based practice throughout the core professional studies units (a total of six credit points), which includes demonstrating their application of knowledge and skills through their 60 days of professional practice in education based contexts e.g. secondary schools. As part of the series of core professional studies units, students are also required to complete a capstone assessment in the final year (2 credit point unit) to demonstrate their evidence based professional practice informed by data analysis and scholarship of teaching and learning.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    As one of the largest growing employment industries in Australia, education and training is projected to grow by 11.2% by May 2023* – that’s 11,300 new jobs or 11,300 career opportunities to explore.
     
    The knowledge and skills you’ll develop through the Master of Teaching (Secondary) prepare you well for a diverse range of roles, including:
    • secondary teacher in a public, independent or private school academic adviser
    • youth worker
    • museum educator
    • policy manager in a not-for-profit organisation
    • education consultant in local or federal government.
    For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
     
    *Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2018 Employment Projections (for five years until May 2023).
     

    Professional recognition

    The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an initial teacher education program that meets the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) program standards and the Australian professional standards for graduate teachers.
     

    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

    Contribute to critical, professional debates about education theory; local, national and global trends; curriculum; Indigenous and intercultural perspectives; and legal, professional and ethical codes and standards, and critique and apply these understandings to inform their own practice.

    Communication

    Apply critical thinking, pedagogical knowledge and effective interpersonal, oral, written and multimodal communication skills to demonstrate empathy, foster learner agency, establish positive and inclusive learning-friendly environments, and build effective professional partnerships and trust with families/caregivers, teaching colleagues and other stakeholders. 

    Digital literacy

    Act in accordance with the ethical and legal frameworks and policy that inform responsible and ethical practice in digital environments, and critically discuss, evaluate and employ a range of appropriate digital literacies, resources and technologies for professional/community/learner engagement and agency.

    Critical thinking

    Contribute to critical and professional debates about education trends, theory, policy and research and use these understandings to critically reflect on and evaluate own teaching practices and diverse learning data sets to make informed evidence-based judgements for enhancements and innovations to improve learner agency and outcomes.

    Problem solving

    Collaboratively and independently use evidence and research to identify, prioritise and creatively respond to problems that arise in professional learning and practice. 

    Self-management

    Engage autonomously and responsibly with critical self-reflection, self-assessment and feedback from others, to inform their own learning, plan for professional development and to balance academic demands with self-care /self-management.

    Teamwork

    Actively and collaboratively participate in, and/or lead learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession to deepen understandings of education and to optimise learning and learner well-being.

    Global citizenship

    Engage in research, and with the legal and ethical obligations of the teaching profession, to develop informed positions on and approaches to educational transformation as applied to learner agency and citizenship; Indigenous and intercultural issues; global education trends and issues; and, social justice and sustainability.

    Approved by Faculty Board 2019