Secondary Education

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. Replacing the Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary), this contemporary Master’s degree offers a more graduated approach to the in-school development of teaching competence and twice as much classroom experience. Enrol today and make a positive impact on your teaching career.

Why study this degree?

• If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, this Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) enables you to transition into a teaching career. Designed to be completed over two years of full-time study, this degree allows you to take a professional approach to the in-school development of teaching competence.
• Available as a full-time or part-time program, our Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) consists of 13 specialist teaching courses, five theological courses, one justice studies course, and two teaching placements, totalling 20 weeks of classroom practice.
• At Notre Dame, our School of Education covers the complete spectrum of higher education – from training new teachers to continuing professional development and further education of experienced educators and school leaders. To this end, you can expect solid and supportive mentoring arrangements and coursework that is contemporary, practical, interactive and focused on problem-solving.

Learning outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the Master of Teaching (Secondary Education) graduates will be able to:
• Develop an advanced and integrated professional content knowledge specific to their teaching area/s, based on the requirements of the relevant curricula and advance that knowledge through the application of relevant pedagogy in their teaching
• Gain the complex body of professional knowledge of the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, family, and cultural factors that shape an adolescent’s learning in order to become teachers who are able to provide 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
• Research and apply a wide repertoire of professional practices in assessment, reporting and evaluation to effectively gauge and reflect a student’s learning
• Attain 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
• Analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise current research and theoretical perspectives within their teaching area/s in order to develop sound professional understandings that will support their pedagogical practices for establishing learning environments best suited to the learning of adolescent students
• 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
• Develop professional dispositions by fostering, articulating, and reflecting in order to understand critically the contributions their teaching area/s makes to the education of their students and be able to take advantage of cross-disciplinary opportunities in their teaching; and
• Demonstrate research capacity by planning and executing a research-based project.

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.