Master of Secondary Teaching

Graduates of the Master of Secondary Teaching will have:

1. research-informed knowledge of international best practice in curriculum, pedagogy and assessment relevant to Secondary Education
2. research-informed knowledge of learners, learning theories and the social contexts that influence them
3. knowledge of educational policies and how these inform practice in 21st century education contexts
4. knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to educational contexts.

Prepare for a fulfilling career in secondary education and help shape the minds of the next generation

With a growing demand for qualified teachers across Australia, Griffith's Master of Secondary Teaching focuses on educating children from Years 7 to 12. This program is designed for those who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to transition into teaching.

It combines in-depth theoretical coursework with hands-on practical experience, preparing you to teach specific subject areas and manage secondary classrooms effectively.

The curriculum covers key areas such as adolescent development, curriculum design, assessment strategies, and classroom management. The program emphasises the importance of differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of secondary students and promotes critical thinking and engagement with contemporary issues in education.

You will need to identify two of the following Teaching Areas to form your study:

• Biology#
• Business
• Chemistry#
• Design Technologies
• Digital Technologies
• Drama
• English
• Food and Nutrition
• Geography
• Health and Physical Education
• History
• Instrumental Music#
• Languages other than English (LOTE)
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physics#
• Psychology#
• Visual Arts

# These teaching areas must be taken at a senior level and, therefore, require a minimum of six subjects in each area in the undergraduate degree.

If you've completed at least six psychology subjects in your bachelor's degree, you can choose one of the teaching areas mentioned above at a senior level (provided you meet the subject requirements) and complete a specialist area in Learning Enhancement. This will give you the skills to support students with additional needs. You'll be qualified to work in secondary schools, either advising teachers on planning or teaching in special education settings.

Recommended study pattern

The Master of Secondary Teaching program is offered full-time and part-time.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Understanding Diverse Learners 10 - 18
• Contemporary Influences on Secondary Schooling
• Pedagogies for Engaged Learners
• Supporting Literacy and Numeracy within and across the Curriculum 

Plus there’s a selection of teaching areas to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Secondary Teaching (MSecTeach), you must successfully Complete 160 credit points for either of the following:

• 160 credit points for Accelerated Program (1.5 Years), or
• 160 credit points for Standard Program (2 years)

The following requirement(s) apply:  

• meet the Literacy and Numeracy Benchmark in the LANTITE test*.

* You will need to successfully complete the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) to graduate from the program. You are permitted three test attempts in total for each component. If you fail three test attempts for each component, you will not be able to graduate.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3286 - Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching award, you must acquire 40 credit points for any courses in the Master of Secondary Teaching program.

To be eligible to exit the 4202 - Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching award, you must acquire 80 credit points for any courses in the Master of Secondary Teaching program.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

Note: You will have to reapply for admission via official admission channels if you have exited with either of these awards and wish to re-enter the Master of Secondary Teaching.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $9,000

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

18

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21

Applicants will need a completed Bachelor degree (or equivalent) that does not lead to teacher registration (with a minimum GPA of 4.0 on a 7-point scale) with disciplinary strengths in two distinctive teaching areas.

Applicants must also complete non-academic entry requirements to be eligible for this program.

You can explore the key learning areas further on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website. Applicants must have completed a quarter of their degree (a minimum of six subjects) in their first nominated teaching area. The second teaching area must include a minimum of another six courses for senior secondary or four courses for junior secondary.

Teaching area requirements for Secondary Education

Please refer to the Teaching Area Guide for more information.

Note: Successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is not an entry requirement for this program. However, if you have achieved a 'satisfactory' result for one or more component of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) at another institution, the 'satisfactory' result can be carried across with your program application. You are not eligible to apply for a place in the program if one or more component of LANTITE remains at 'unsatisfactory' after two test attempts for that component. Griffith University does not support reset of LANTITE test attempts.

From 2025 all students will need to complete the LANTITE to be eligible to enrol into 7999EDN. There are four opportunities each year to sit LANTITE and students will need to plan ahead using the PEx calendar to avoid clashes with first year professional experience times.

Griffith University pays for the initial attempt for each component by preservice teachers who are currently enrolled in an initial education program at Griffith University. Preservice teachers should consult the ACER website for information about LANTITE testing, restrictions, and booking information at https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/ Preservice teachers can find preparation materials for LANTITE on their program sites and on the ACER website.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous Bachelor-level study was completed in a country other than Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America or undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.5 in IELTS (Academic) with a score of at least 8.0 for Listening and Speaking and a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing;
• OR a score of at least 4 in each of the areas of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing in the ISLPR*;
• OR successful completion of at least three years full-time Bachelor-level study where the language of instruction is English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America.

* The ISLPR test will only be accepted if it has been administered by ISLPR Language Services, 9 Gowrie Street, Mt Gravatt, Queensland.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

This program is accredited and language requirements have been set to ensure applicants meet both Griffith University language requirements and requirements for registration within Queensland. The Queensland College of Teachers requires graduating teachers to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP) with their application for registration unless they have completed the full four years of higher education study required for registration in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America. Further information is available on the Queensland College of Teachers website.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.

Professional experience is a mandated component of this program. The placements in secondary schools are organised by the School of Education and Professional Studies. Upon enrolment into the program, students will be asked to provide information to facilitate their placements.

Please be aware that courses in this program may not follow the standard academic calendar. After you have completed your enrolment each trimester, please check your timetable on myGriffith for details of when classes commence and the duration of professional experience placements.

Compulsory Tutorial Attendance for All Professional Experience Courses

Students must reach an 80% threshold for tutorial attendance and active participation in the lead up to placement for all Professional Experience courses. Students who cannot attend the full tutorial and thus cannot actively participate during the tutorial will not be able to proceed with the placement and complete the course.