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Secondary Teaching Courses

Find the best Secondary Teaching Courses

Masters (Coursework)

Armidale
The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a graduate entry initial teacher education program.
Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold a relevant AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree of a recognised Australian University or tertiary institution (or overseas equivalent as assessed by Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR)), with a minimum GPA of 3.50; and

(b) satisfy the School of their suitability for teaching through the satisfactory completion of the Personal Statement for Initial Teacher 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 first-year level and no fewer than two units at 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 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, 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 Computing or Agriculture are an exception and only need to undertake 18 cp in 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 enrol in the relevant curriculum unit provided they enrol 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 Designated Teaching Area

Agriculture:

A major in agriculture in an area such as agricultural science; agricultural technology; 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 eg 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 eg 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 recognised 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 arts 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 study of the 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 enquiry 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 recognised 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 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.

English Language Requirements

A candidate shall comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Courses in Education Accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Duration
2 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Study Mode
In person, Online

Masters (Coursework)

Newcastle - Callaghan
If you are searching for a rewarding career that will use your communication and leadership skills to shape the future of students in your home country, then the Master of Teaching (Secondary Studies) is for you.
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
International Tuition Fees
$35,920 per year / $71,840 total
Graduate Satisfaction
92.20%

Graduate Certificate

Perth
Inspire the next generation of scientists and expand your teaching qualification with the practical skills and knowledge you need to teach lower secondary science.
Duration
1 year full-time
Graduate Satisfaction
77.40%

Masters (Coursework)

Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay
This program is for graduates with non-Education bachelor degrees wanting to qualify to teach disciplines in secondary schools. For admission, your bachelor degree disciplines must align with the current subject offerings of Queensland schools.
Entry Requirements

Research has shown that the most effective teachers are those who have academic capability, literacy and numeracy skills, and personal characteristics (non-academic capabilities). Entry to this program requires that applicants meet academic and non-academic criteria.

Academic qualifications

Applicants must have completed a non-Education Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7), or equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.0 from a recognised tertiary institution. In addition, applicants must satisfy the discipline study requirements of at least one-quarter of a degree in a nominated first teaching area and one-sixth of a degree in a nominated second teaching area. Teaching Area One and Teaching Area Two must be from contrasting subject areas or different discipline areas and contain no more than 2 introductory courses in each area.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) program at USC offers the following teaching areas:

Accounting#, Agricultural Science, Biology, Business#, Chemistry, Chinese#, Drama, Dance, Design and Technology#, Digital Technologies#, Earth and Environmental Science, Economics and Business#, English, Film, Television and New Media, French#, Geography, German#, Health and Physical Education, History, Indonesian#, Italian#, Japanese#, Legal Studies#, Marine Science, Mathematics, Media Arts, Music, Physics, Psychology, Science, Spanish#, Study of Religion and Visual Arts.

#The following teaching areas are not available at UniSC Moreton Bay: Accounting, Business, Chinese, Design and Technology, Digital Technologies, Economics and Business, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Legal Studies and Spanish.

Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.5 with a minimum of 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests. Refer to English language requirements

Personal statement requirement

As part of your application, you are required to complete an online questionnaire to demonstrate your motivation for, and understanding of, the program and profession. In the questionnaire, you will be asked to rank a series of statements in order of what you think is most to least important. You will also need to write a 600-1000 word personal statement on why you think you would make a great teacher, and why influencing the future appeals to you.

After you have submitted a QTAC application for this program, QTAC will contact you with further information about the written statement and how to complete your application.

More information is on the QTAC website.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you also need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may like to enrol in one of our English Language Programs.

Post admission requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 60 days of Supervised Professional Experience in a school setting under the supervision of a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) registered teacher. Students must obtain a Blue Card (or link their existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when applying through the School of Education at USC.

Students will also need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.

Recommended prior study
English
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$27,400 per year / $3,984 total
International Tuition Fees
$54,800 total
Graduate Satisfaction
89.70%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
Gain powerful teaching insights with The Master of Teaching (Secondary).
Entry Requirements
  • An undergraduate degree from an approved institution.
  • Previous study that satisfies the requirements for two learning areas.

Read about learning areas

All applicants must also:

  • Complete the Teacher Capability Assessment Tool (TCAT) prior to applying. TCAT results are assessed as part of your application.
  • Pass a Commonwealth Government of Australia literacy and numeracy test. For more information, see Literacy and Numeracy Test for Master of Teaching students (PDF, 262 KB).
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$29,024 per year / $58,048 total

Masters (Coursework)

Fremantle
With a strong emphasis on practical classroom experience, our Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) is an excellent preparation for graduates who want to teach at secondary school level.
Entry Requirements

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) and a teaching specialisation (up to Year 10 level).

Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
91.30%

Graduate Diploma

City, City campus
The Graduate Diploma in Mathematics for Secondary Education is designed to re-train approved secondary school teachers, and approved primary school teachers with sufficient undergraduate mathematics studies, in teaching secondary mathematics.
Duration
2 years part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
93.30%

Graduate Diploma

Joondalup, Mount Lawley
Are you an aspiring high school teacher with an existing degree in another field? This course will equip you to teach in WA secondary schools after one year of full-time study with provisional registration.
Entry Requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognised areas of school provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree. Applicants must be able to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in a particular discipline to enrol in a major area of specialisation (eg. a Major in their bachelor degree) and intermediate skills to enrol in a minor area of specialisation (eg. a Minor in their bachelor degree), and provide a resume, In addition to satisfying academic entry criteria, applicants for pre-service teacher education courses at Edith Cowan University must also satisfy non-academic criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.
    One or more of the specialisations in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the specialisation for more information.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
    • Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Domestic Tuition Fees
$4,450 per year / $4,450 total
Graduate Satisfaction
81.00%

Masters (Coursework)

Joondalup, Mount Lawley
Provides a nationally accredited initial teaching qualification for students who have already obtained a Bachelor degree or an equivalent qualification in areas other than Education.
Entry Requirements

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

    All applicants are required to have a discipline-specific bachelor or equivalent qualification relevant to the Australian Curriculum or other recognised areas of school provision. Professional experience cannot be accepted as an alternative to completion of the bachelor degree. Applicants must be able to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in a particular discipline to enrol in a major area of specialisation (eg. a Major in their bachelor degree) and intermediate skills to enrol in a minor area of specialisation (eg. a Minor in their bachelor degree), and provide a resume, In addition to satisfying academic entry criteria, applicants for pre-service teacher education courses at Edith Cowan University must also satisfy non-academic criteria. Applicants' non-academic capabilities will be assessed based on completion of a Non-Academic Requirements for Teacher Entry (NARTE) online questionnaire.
    One or more of the specialisations in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the specialisation for more information.

    Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree; or
    • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
  • International students must attain an IELTS Academic with an average level of 7.5 or more, across the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing; no score below level 7.0 in any of these components; and a score of 8.0 or more in the components of speaking and listening. Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

    English competency requirements may also be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Bachelor degree or master degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, or
    • Undergraduate degree taught in English from a South African University.
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Domestic Tuition Fees
$4,450 per year / $8,900 total
International Tuition Fees
$36,150 per year / $72,300 total
Graduate Satisfaction
81.00%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
Become a highly-effective secondary teacherFlexible study: 2 years full-time | 18 months accelerated | 3 years extendedUnparalleled support during your studies and placementsGraduate extremely employableBecome eligible for full teacher registration...
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person

Secondary Teaching Courses overview

Secondary teaching concerns the education of students between years seven and ten. It’s a time when students are rapidly growing into adults, requiring professional hands to guide their learning and personal development. Postgraduate study provides opportunities to learn about best teaching practices for subjects like English, commerce, geography, history, a range of languages, mathematics, science and more.

Athenian educational reforms dating back to 320 BCE show the long-held belief that strong secondary education is a necessity. Ancient Roman and Greek students would study the seven liberal arts and sciences in preparation for higher study. Christian missionaries later revived the practice after the fall of Rome, reinstating the teaching of grammar, astronomy, latin and ecclesiastic practices. The renaissance of the 16th - 17th centuries CE saw the wider adoption of secondary education, which continued into the future.

Modern secondary educators utilise advanced curriculums that prepare students for a broader range of disciplines than ever before. They provide them with opportunities and support that will allow them to make better decisions about their academic and professional future.

Is secondary teaching for me?

Secondary teaching is for those with a desire to help students reach their full potential. It’s not for the faint of heart, as secondary students can be rebellious. This make it all the more rewarding for those with the persistence to assist them during formative years. If you’re the sort of person who believes they can be a respected role model for adolescents, secondary teaching could be for you.

Study pathway

Secondary teaching can be taken up to master level, with shorter study periods being available in the form of graduate certificates and diplomas.

Graduate certificates tend to provide training in a specific discipline, such as English or mathematics. Edith Cowan University hosts a course dedicated to Design and Technology, whereas Murdoch University provides one dedicated to secondary mathematics. This makes them an ideal way to specialise, taking six months of full time study to complete or up to one year part time. A prior Bachelor of Education is required to enter, as these courses are designed more as a capstone than a primary method of learning secondary teaching.

Graduate diplomas tend to be more well-rounded by design, taking one year of full time study to complete or up to two years part time. Institutions like Edith Cowan University provide these opportunities to bachelor degree holders willing to acquire the specialised skills needed for secondary teaching, so long as they are from a discipline commonly taught in schools. Alternatively, bachelor degrees in education can sometimes be the minimum requirement. Despite any differences in prerequisites, these programs tend to include units in secondary teaching practices, indigenous education, numeracy, literacy and more, with ample opportunity for practical development.

Institutions like the University of Sydney offer the Master of Teaching (Secondary) to bachelor degree holders from cognate disciplines, similar to many graduate diplomas. These programs tend to take two years of full time study to complete, or up to four years part time. They are consequently able to cover more material; in addition to what is learned in a graduate diploma, students can expect units in:

  • Geography curriculum development
  • History curriculum development
  • Languages
  • Special education
  • Internships
  • Legal studies

This is far from an exhaustive list; students can expect to take multiple units in topics mentioned, in addition to many others not listed. This makes them the ideal way to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Employment options

Secondary teachers are required in schools across Australia as generations of older teachers continue to retire. Teaching associations are an ideal way to find employment, new skills, networking opportunities and more, tending to favour specific disciplines. Examples include the Australian Science Teachers Association and Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, representing their namesakes. Joining these is recommended to improve employment prospects and gain entry to schools around the country.

Specialisations

Secondary teacher specialisations are as varied as the subjects they teach, including:

Advice for Secondary Teaching Courses


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