Master of Teaching

You complete four research units that focus on an area of education that is significant to your field of teacher education.

You select the Secondary stream to become a secondary school teacher in up to two of the following subjects:

• English
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE), which comprises modern history or geography, with the optional addition of ancient history, business studies, legal studies, economics, society and culture
• Mathematics
• Music
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Science
• Technological and Applied Studies.

If you plan to teach in only one subject area in a secondary school, you can select two elective units from topics including social and emotional wellbeing; children's rights; casual teaching; teaching the gifted.

Please note: All teaching subjects are offered online, however some units require attendance at on-campus workshops. 

To see what you need to have studied for a secondary teaching subject please see Master of Teaching Previous Studies Subject Guide.

Depending on your previous study, you may need to complete additional units, some of which may only be available on campus. All core education units can be studied on campus or online.

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. Most units have progressive assessment with grades typically allocated across a combination of assessment tasks due at different times during the study period. Some units may also include a formal examination at the end of the study period. Assessment requirements for each unit are advised in writing to students at the commencement of each study period with clear guidelines, due dates, and the weighting for each assessment task

Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Please note: Online students may be required to attend compulsory on or off-campus workshops.

Graduates will typically work as teachers in secondary schools nationally and internationally. Some graduates may pursue work in a range of education and non-education settings including roles such as education consultant, community education centre leader, university tutor or lecturer, environmental educator, zoo education officer, education exhibition organiser, education policy analyst, curriculum writer, children’s entertainment presenter, youth support worker, teacher of English overseas, private tutor, and children’s advocate leader.

You'll complete a program of practical in-school teaching experiences during the course, which enables you to put theory into practice as you observe and reflect on classroom dynamics. It also provides opportunities for you to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools and to demonstrate your independent and professional capabilities as teachers.

The Master of Teaching is currently undergoing its five-year reaccreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for national accreditation through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL).

Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, but students need to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding accreditation requirements.

All Initial Teacher Education students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANITE). At Southern Cross University the test needs to be successfully completed prior to undertaking the first professional experience placement.