Why study the Master of Teaching (Secondary) at UNE?

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a graduate entry initial teacher education program. Candidates may complete up to three designated teaching areas based on their background studies from the following: English, Mathematics, Science, Aboriginal Studies, Agriculture, Business Studies / Commerce, Computing, Drama, Economics / Commerce, Geography, History, Languages, Legal Studies, Music, Society and Culture, Studies of Religion, and Visual Arts. Furthermore, it should be noted that candidates should abide by the letter of offer in terms of their teaching areas. Candidates may also choose the Master of Teaching (Secondary) to take advantage of the Teaching English to Students of other Languages (TESOL) specialisation and/or the extended curriculum programs in English, Mathematics, Science, Music and Visual Arts.

Teacher Registration: Students should note that teacher registration requirements vary from state to state. UNE bases its degree structures on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership guidelines. http://aitsl.edu.au

Career Opportunities

Secondary Teacher

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Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold a relevant degree of a university; or
(b) hold a relevant degree of a university and a Graduate Diploma in Education of 1 year duration from this or another institution (equivalent to 48 cps).

English Language Proficiency

At least one of the following criteria must be met:
A1. English is the applicant's first language; or
A2. Satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least four years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
A3. Satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least four years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in an institution in which English is the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
A4. (a) An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least a minimum overall score of 7.5 including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing; or
(b) A Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT) result of Band A in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing; or
(c) An International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Additional Requirements

Prior to undertaking a professional experience placement in New South Wales, there are a number of mandatory requirements which must be fulfilled.

Working with Children Check*

All students intending to undertake a professional experience placement whose work is categorised as 'practical training as part of an educational or vocational course'; in schools or other educational institutions (e.g. pre-schools, kindergartens and child care centres) must complete a Working with Children Check application.

Anaphylaxis Training*

The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities requires that all initial teacher education students are trained in anaphylaxis management before they can undertake any professional experience in New South Wales public schools.

*These requirements are subject to change. Current information and further information (including requirements for other states) can be obtained at: http://www.une.edu.au/education/profexp/letter-to-students.php

Fit for Practice

Candidates entering a pre-service teaching program in Education will:

• follow the SOE Code of Conduct, in particular, the Professional Experience Conduct for professional placement;
• exercise sound judgement based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of classroom 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 duty of care to students while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students;
• communicate to students with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to the age of the student profile;
• literacy and numeracy are key attributes that a student in pre-service programs should possess and model these skills in interactions they have within the classroom and broader non-education settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school community.

Students who have a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact the Disability Unit.

Students who have difficulties in meeting some of the above professional experience requirements will be required to contact the Professional Experience Office to put in place remedial and/or counselling activities through a pro-active approach to improve their teaching practice.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing will not be granted to candidates in the 48 credit point upgrade program.
Advanced standing for professional experience may be granted to candidates with substantial teaching experience.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) must pass units to the value of 96 credit points which includes 60 days of embedded professional experience.
To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) must pass units to the value of 48 credit points.

Applicants' undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies must include study in a designated area related to a school subject (first designated area), as follows:

A minimum of six sequential trimester-long units of discipline knowledge in a designated area (equivalent to a minimum of three academic years of study in the designated area). This equates to six units, with not more than two at first-year level and no fewer than two units at third-year level. A second designated area, if studied, equates to four units, with not more than two at first-year level.

For overseas applicants, in cases where Australian studies are specified for admission to a graduate entry program (eg Australian music), determination may be based on equivalent qualifications.

Applicants' undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies must permit study of at least 24 credit points in curriculum methods units, with the exception of students who undertake 12 credit points of study in curriculum methods units in Computer or Agriculture only.

Applicants' who are 12 credit points short of meeting the prerequisite for a specific curriculum unit may be permitted to enrol in that specific curriculum unit provided they enrol concurrently in the appropriate prerequisite unit or units. All prerequisites for specific curriculum courses must be passed prior to or concurrently with Master of Teaching (Secondary) candidature. If undertaking the upgrade pathway, students can undertake 12 credit points as discipline units within this degree if the units can be undertaken at postgraduate level.

Curriculum Specific Guidelines for First Designated Teaching Area

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 and media studies.

Mathematics:
Major in pure or applied mathematics (must include algebra and calculus). One unit only of statistics may be counted provided it is studied as a stand-alone unit.

Science:
Biology - Major in science of four units in biology and two units in one of chemistry or physics
Chemistry - Major in science of four units in chemistry and two units in one of physics or biology or earth and environmental science
Earth and Environmental Science - Major in science of one unit in biology and one unit in geology or environmental science and two units in chemistry or physics and two other science units.
Physics - Major in science of four units in physics and two units in one of biology, chemistry, or earth and environmental science.

Aboriginal Studies:
Major in Aboriginal Studies in areas such as contact and Aboriginal history, anthropology, Aboriginal literature and Aboriginal language and linguistics.

Computing:
Computing Technology Information Systems - 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.
Computing Technology Software Design - A major in computing or computing technology 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, development and testing.

History:
Ancient History - Major in history in areas such as ancient history and archaeology.
Modern History - Major in history in areas such as Australian history, contact and Aboriginal history, early modern history, historiography and modern history.

Business Studies/Commerce:
Major in business related 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 or marketing.

Economics/Commerce:
Major in economics

Geography:
Major in geography

Legal Studies:
Major in social sciences including legal studies

Society and Culture:
A major in social science in areas such as Aboriginal studies, anthropology, archaeology, Asian and Pacific studies, civics, cultural studies, government, history, media studies, philosophy, politics, psychology (only one unit may be counted), religious studies, social communication and sociology (at least one unit preferred).

Studies of Religion:
Major in social sciences in areas such as studies in religion (preferably comparative religions) and culture.

Agriculture:
A major in agriculture in an area such as agricultural science, agricultural technology or horticulure, and including studies of plants and animals, animal care, agricultural enterprises and chemical safety.

Languages:
A major in a language. Where the language is an Aboriginal language there may be specific cultural requirements.

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

Music:
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 and 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.

Visual Art:
A major in visual arts, including all of the following: practical studies in two and three and/or four dimensional art forms, art theory/history (a minimum of one year) and studio art making practice (a minimum of one year). The study of visual arts must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognised as equivalent.

TESOL:
Qualifications in another discipline as per above and four units in linguistics. Two of the units may be English or a language.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a):

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b):

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Course Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.