Master of Secondary Teaching

With a strong emphasis on practical classroom experience, our Master of Secondary Teaching is an excellent preparation for graduates who want to teach at secondary school level. You will bring the knowledge you gained in your undergraduate degree and develop knowledge, skills and experience that allows you to pass it on to secondary school students.

Why study this degree?

• The Master of Secondary Teaching degree allows you to take your professional approach to the in-school development of teaching competence. This degree consists of 12 specialist teaching courses. At Notre Dame you can expect solid and supportive mentoring arrangements and coursework that is contemporary, practical, interactive and focused on problem-solving.
• This program prepares all graduates to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate level. You will learn to plan, teach and assess learning in each of your teaching areas, as well as to understand students, how they learn and how best to support their developing minds. The program includes a focus on classroom management, development of the whole person and brain-based approaches to learning, as well as extensive and well-supported professional experience placements.

Learning outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the Master of Secondary Teaching graduates will be able to:
• Apply an advanced and integrated professional content knowledge specific to a particular teaching area or areas, based on the requirements of the relevant curricula and advance that knowledge through the application of relevant pedagogy in their teaching;
• Critically analyse, synthesise and integrate a complex body of professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape adolescents’ learning to create appropriately inclusive programs that support all learners to reach their potential;
• Maximise the learning potential of adolescent students by applying professional practices that are underpinned by sound, research-based pedagogies of how students learn best;
• Demonstrate and critically reflect upon the importance of the appropriate cultural sensitivities and knowledges necessary to teach secondary Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students in ways that recognise, respect and respond to their unique stories, cultures, practises and ways of knowing, being and seeing;
• Research and apply a wide repertoire of professional practices in assessment, reporting and evaluation to effectively gauge and reflect a student’s learning;
• Synthesize expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills through the study of education units and apply this professional learning to meaningful professional practicum experiences to consolidate planning, implementation and evaluation skills furthering adolescent students’ educational success and lifelong learning;
• Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate professional engagement that is characterised by comprehensive planning, relevant and realistic feedback to adolescent students, relevant and appropriate communication with parents and carers, and connections with various other stakeholders;
• Foster and engage in critical self- and peer-reflection to evaluate the contributions a particular teaching area or areas make to the education of students and take advantage of crossdisciplinary teaching opportunities;
• Integrate creative, effective, and contemporary information and communication technologies to enhance learning;
• Analyse professional values and ethical standards that demonstrate a commitment to secure socially just and sustainable futures for learners.

Career opportunities

• With a Master of Teaching (Secondary Education), you can teach secondary students in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools, depending on your teaching specialisation. Career opportunities within the education system include Lead teacher, faculty or year group coordinator, principal, and assistant principal.