Did you know UNE is a leader in the provision of online learning for current and future teachers? Our world-class online platform gives you the flexibility to balance your study with work, family, and other commitments. Career opportunities for graduates with a Master of Teaching (Secondary) include: 

• a secondary school teacher in the public or private sector 
• further opportunities for educational leadership positions, for example, education manager. 

International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional  2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa  (Which means a Bachelors or Masters graduate can get up to 4 years of PSW visa)

A candidate shall:

• hold a relevant AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree of a recognized Australian University or tertiary institution (or overseas equivalent as assessed Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR)), with a minimum GPA of 3.50; and
• satisfy the School of their suitability for teaching through the satisfactory completion of a Personal Statement for Initial Teaching Education Course Entry.

Applicants' undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies must include units meeting the NESA subject content requirements for their intended teaching area/s in the secondary school curriculum areas, as detailed below.

First Teaching Area

Candidates in their undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies will have successfully undertaken the equivalent of three-quarters of a year (0.75 Equivalent Full-Time Study Load (EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential units taken over three years. In most programs, this requirement equates to six units, with no more than two units at the first-year level and no fewer than two units at the third-year level.

Additional Teaching Area/s

Candidates wishing to be qualified to teach an additional or second secondary teaching area (for flexibility of employment) are generally required to have successfully undertaken the equivalent of half a year (0.5 EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. In most programs, this requirement equates to four units, with no more than two units at the first-year level. The University assesses applicants' eligibility for teaching areas based on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Subject Content Knowledge Requirements.

Candidates need to pass 24 credit points (cp) in curriculum methods units. To teach English, Mathematics, Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science, Physics, or Music only, you study 4 units (24 cp) of curriculum methods in the teaching area. To qualify to teach in two different areas, you study 12 cp in each area. Students qualifying to teach only Computing are an exception and need to undertake 18 cp in a total of curriculum methods units.

Applicants who are 12 credit points short of meeting the discipline prerequisite for a specific teaching area may be permitted to enroll in the relevant curriculum unit provided they enroll concurrently in the appropriate prerequisite discipline unit or units. All discipline prerequisites for curriculum units must be passed prior to or concurrently with Master of Teaching (Secondary) candidature. Such discipline prerequisite units are in addition to the program of study in the Master of Teaching and incur an additional cost.

Curriculum Specific Guidelines for First Teaching Area

Agriculture:

A major in agriculture in an area such as agricultural science; agricultural technology or horticulture; agronomy; primary industries; rural science; including studies of plants and animals, animal care, agricultural enterprises, and chemical safety.

Business Studies/Commerce:

Major in business studies, including at least one unit of finance or accounting, and one unit of business management and remaining units drawn from business law (Australian/English); economics; human resource management; industrial relations; marketing; business management; finance or accounting.

Computing:

Information Processes and Technology - A major in computing or computing technology including at least two units that develop skills in information and communications technologies and information systems e.g. database design including relational databases and communication systems/networking, coding and systems management, and skills in designing and producing digital products including non-visual programming languages.

Software Design and Development - A major in computing or computing technology or equivalent discipline including at least two units that develop skills in the design and development of software e.g. programming in a computer-based language and system analysis, design, development, and testing.

Drama:

A major in drama including all of the following: performance; production; theory and preferably Australian drama. Drama studies must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognized as equivalent.

• Economics/Commerce:
• Major in economics.

English:

Major in English with at least three units of a strong core of textual studies including literature. Other units may include studies in: communications, creative writing, linguistics, media studies, film studies, and drama, or performance art studies.

Geography:

Major in geography including units in physical and human geography. Units in Earth and Environmental Science may be considered upon review of units for appropriate discipline knowledge.

History:

Ancient History - Major in history in areas such as ancient history; archaeology; and historiography (including one unit in medieval or modern history).

Modern History - Major in history in areas such as Australian history; contact and Aboriginal history; early modern history; historiography; and modern history (including one unit in ancient history or medieval history).

Languages:

A major in a language including the study of spoken and written language. Units counted towards the major must be above an introductory level of study. Where the language is an Aboriginal language there will be specific cultural requirements. Native Speakers of a language must hold an undergraduate degree and may obtain verification from an Australian university indicating that their level of competency in reading, writing, speaking, listening and culture is equivalent to the completion of a major in that language.

Legal Studies:

Major in law or legal studies including the Australian legal system.

Mathematics:

Major in pure or applied mathematics that must include at least one unit of algebra and calculus. The major may include other studies of mathematics that are relevant to the central concepts, modes of inquiry, and structure of the content/discipline(s) (only one unit of statistics may be counted). Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate mathematical content.

Mathematics/Physics: (First Teaching Area Only)

A minor in mathematics, including at least one unit of algebra and one unit of calculus, and a minor in physics (only one unit of statistics may be counted). Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate mathematical or physics content.

Music (First Teaching Area Only):

Major in music, including all of the following: musicological study (music history and analysis) in a range of musical styles; periods and genres with a strong component of contemporary and western art music: compositional techniques; music performance studies (a minimum of two years of music performance studies; and preferably Australian music. The study of Music and music practice must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognized as equivalent.

Sciences (First Teaching Areas Only):

Biology - A major in science including four units in biology.

Chemistry - A major in science including four units in chemistry. Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate chemistry content.

Earth and Environmental Science - A major in science including three units in Earth or environmental science and one unit in biology.

Investigating Science - A major in science including two units in general, interdisciplinary or applied science and one unit in each of chemistry, physics, earth or environmental science, and biology. Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate physics and/or chemistry content.

Physics - A major in science including four units in physics. Engineering units may be considered as physics upon review of unit statements for appropriate physics content.

Society and Culture:

A major including at least one unit of sociology and the remaining units drawn from Aboriginal studies, anthropology, Asian or Pacific Studies, civics, cultural studies, government, history, philosophy, politics, studies of religion, social communication, sociology.

Studies of Religion:

A major in studies of religion including comparative religions and culture.

English as an Additional Language/ Dialect (EAL/D):

A major in discipline knowledge relevant to EAL/D such as linguistics and/or language studies that provide a grounding in the English language, how it works and a very high level of competency in spoken and written English, and intercultural communication.

Note for International Students

Prospective International Students should seek advice regarding professional experience Australian setting requirements before applying. See Professional Placement information.

Fit for Practice/Informed Consent Information

Prospective candidates should only accept an offer of a place in this course if they are able to meet the following Fit for Practice requirements:

• abide by relevant UNE Rules and Procedures, for example, Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, and any relevant School of Education policies, for example, the Professional Experience Policy for professional placements;
• exercise sound judgment based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of teaching situations;
• demonstrate personal resilience and persistence to cope and maintain wellbeing under stressful situations;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progression prior to professional placement;
• safeguard the University's integrity and demonstrate a duty of care to students/children while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students/children;
• communicate to students/children with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to their age/profile;
• possess and model the literacy and numeracy skills expected of teachers in interactions they have within the classroom and broader settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of students/children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school/early childhood community.

Candidates who have or who develop a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact Student Support to see if reasonable adjustments are practicable.

Working with Children Check

All students intending to enroll in units of study involving a practical experience placement or otherwise requiring interaction with children will be required to obtain and maintain a New South Wales Working with Children Check clearance (or equivalent, depending upon relevant State requirements). The student is required to provide the University with appropriate evidence of their clearance, which will be verified at UNE. Relevant Government agencies will advise the University of any bar that may be placed upon a student, and UNE will respond accordingly.

Anaphylaxis Training

All initial teacher education students must be trained in anaphylaxis management before they can undertake any professional experience in a school setting.

Child Protection Awareness Training

All teacher education students must complete online Child Protection and Awareness Training prior to the commencement of their first professional experience placement in a school setting.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

All teacher education students must complete online Child Protection and Awareness Training prior to the commencement of their first professional experience placement in a school setting.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

This course includes 60 days of Professional Experience undertaken in three core units. Candidates are required to pass mandatory literacy and numeracy tests prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.

Professional Placements

A requirement of accreditation is that secondary school professional placements must be undertaken in a school using New South Wales Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses and be assessing teaching proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Students may only complete up to 10% (6 days) of the required secondary professional experience (practicum) days in secondary schools not using NSW Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses. Limited placements can occur in non-Australian settings in accordance with the NESA policy regarding overseas placements. Students who are required to undertake professional experience placement must read, understand, and adhere to the Professional Experience Policy of the School of Education.

International students and Australian citizens residing overseas should take particular note of the advice above re mandatory Australian settings for placement.

Candidates are required to pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.