The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a pre-service teacher education course which requires two years of study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities and Law.

A Lutheran pathway is available for students wishing to teach in that system. Further information regarding the Lutheran pathway is available from the Lutheran pathway coordinator.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from the University (other than in education or teaching) or an approved qualification from another approved tertiary institution, and have studied two of the following teaching/curriculum areas:

Specialisations normally offered are: Business Education, English, Drama, Mathematics, Information Technology, Modern languages (restricted to Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, German and Modern Greek), Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences), Visual Arts, Health Education, Physical Education, History, Geography, Legal Studies, Politics, Psychology, Nutrition, Tourism, TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and Womens’ Studies.  Not all teaching specialisations are offered every year.

Note that in South Australia, to teach to year 10, four undergraduate semester topics in the teaching area are needed; to teach to Year 12, six undergraduate semester topics in the teaching area are needed.

Course aims

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) aims to qualify graduates who apply an advanced/specialised body of content and pedagogical knowledge, skills and dispositions to:

  • plan, implement and advocate transformative teaching and learning in the secondary years
  • enact policies and practices that take account of social and individual difference, ensuring that all young people learn in [safe, supportive, just] environments
  • work independently and collaboratively with young people, colleagues and communities to construct and assess inclusive and intellectually challenging curriculum in the secondary years
  • engage in critical reflection and continuing professional learning through a variety of pathways including research-based projects

Learning outcomes

On completion of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) graduates will be able to:

  • synthesise in-depth, current knowledge and an integrated understanding of the theories, content and processes of learning and teaching in the secondary years
  • articulate advanced knowledge and reflexivity regarding young people’s development and individual and social differences, including for Indigenous Australians
  • apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills and dispositions to create and maintain mutually respectful and socially just learning environments for all young people
  • communicate respectfully with young people, colleagues, parents and communities to enhance professional practice and student learning in secondary schools
  • apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills to construct and assess inclusive and intellectually challenging curriculum in the secondary years
  • demonstrate and apply sound knowledge of research principles and methods to complete a research based project in (secondary) education
  • commit to ongoing professional learning to do with new discourses, debates and issues in education as they arise in the secondary years
  • demonstrate dispositions towards relational and transformative education and a strong sense of themselves as agents, advocates and leading professionals in the secondary years.

Credit

Limited credit may be granted for recognition of prior studies undertaken at the University or other approved tertiary institutions. Further information is available on this page.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Teaching (Secondary), a student must:

  • complete 72 units of postgraduate education studies as set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic; and
  • meet the required benchmark in the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). Students must normally meet the benchmark within three attempts. Further attempts may be recommended by the Faculty Board under exceptional circumstances.

Except with the permission of the Board: 

  • no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice; 
  • teaching practicum topics may not be attempted more than once.

Students should note that teaching practicum topics require full-time commitment for their duration. 

Core - Year 1 topics

27 units comprising:

 EDUC9120  Introduction to Teaching and Research in the Education Profession  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9122  Researching Learners and Learning (Secondary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9132  Professional Experience: An Introduction (Secondary Schooling) (0 units)
 EDUC9133  Literacies for the Middle and Secondary Years (4.5 units)
 EDUC9220  Relationships for Learning and Teaching  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9226  Professional Issues in Secondary Education (4.5 units)
 EDUC9233  Professional Experience 1 (Secondary)  (4.5 units)

Option Curriculum Specialisation - Year 1 topics

Choose 4.5 units of Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years from:

EDUC9128A  Drama Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128B  English Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128C  Health Education Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128D  HASS Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128E  Languages Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128F  Mathematics Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128G  Physical Education Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128H  Science Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128I  Visual Arts Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9128J  General Curriculum Studies A1: Understanding Curriculum Development in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)

Choose 4.5 units of Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years from

EDUC9227A  Drama Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227B  English Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227C  Health Education Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227D  HASS Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227E  Languages Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227F  Mathematics Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227G  Physical Education Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227H  Science Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227I  Visual Arts Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)
EDUC9227J  General Curriculum Studies B1: Developing Curriculum in Context in the Middle Years  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

27 units comprising:

 EDUC9308  Professional Experience 2: Assessment for Registration (Secondary) (4.5 units)
 EDUC9400  Critical Indigenous Pedagogies  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9401  The Reflective Professional in Action  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9404  Numeracy and ICT  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9406  Differentiation and Inclusive Educational Practices (4.5 units)
 EDUC9767  Assessment in Education (4.5 units)

Option Curriculum Specialisation - Year 2 topics

Choose 4.5 units of Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1 from:

 EDUC9305A  Drama Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305B  English Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305C  Health Education Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305E  Languages Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305G  Physical Education Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305I  Visual Arts Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305K  Mathematics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305L  History Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305M  Biological Sciences Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305N  Psychology Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305O  Geography, Legal Studies, Business Studies Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305P  Information Technology Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305Q  Nutrition Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9305R  Tourism Curriculum Studies A2: Senior Years Specialisation 1  (4.5 units)

Choose 4.5 units of Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2 from:

 EDUC9306A  Drama Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306B  English Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306C  Health Education Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306E  Languages Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306G  Physical Education Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306H  Advanced Science Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306I  Visual Arts Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306K  Mathematics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Physics Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306L  History Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306M  Biological Sciences Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306N  Psychology Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306O  Geography, Legal Studies, Business Studies Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306P  Information Technology Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306Q  Nutrition Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9306R  Tourism Curriculum Studies B2: Senior Years Specialisation 2  (4.5 units)