Master of Teaching

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 (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour Research, synthesise, create and evaluate complex ideas and theories to transform and disrupt thinking in educational practice. Apply knowledge and understanding of diverse ways of knowing and learning in educational contexts to inform connected and compassionate ways of teaching, including environmental and sustainable practices.

GA2: Creativity Exercise cognitive and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise knowledge to develop innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in educational settings.

GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of professional, ethical, legislative requirements and human rights principles in education settings.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Critically analyse disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge application in relation to curriculum content and frameworks. Integrate scholarly knowledge of pedagogical principles for effective assessment practices and supportive learning environments.

GA5: Lifelong learning Apply learning and reflective practice to develop personal and professional skills, including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity.

GA6: Communication and social skills Effectively use leadership skills to interpret, communicate and direct teamwork in professional educational settings.

GA7: Cultural competence Implement and incorporate respect for diversity in oneself and others while actively embedding proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement. Apply a broad knowledge and understanding of the impacts of culture, cultural identity and linguistic backgrounds on the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Our two-year (or 18 months if fast tracked*) Master of Teaching program qualifies you to be a teacher in Australia, and many countries overseas. Teaching is a career in which you can make a positive and life-long impact on the lives of children and young people. You can choose to specialise in early childhood education, primary education, or secondary education. As well as undertaking an education research project, this course includes professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education settings, schools, and/or community sites of a total 480 hours. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed in Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning days must be completed, and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated. All primary and secondary students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the second professional experience placement. Undertaking full-time study may be required from January to December (6 teaching terms) depending on your program of study. Applicants for the Master of Teaching Primary or Secondary specialisations must complete an online questionnaire, including two 500-word written statements about your motivation and suitability for teaching and your involvement in learning and leadership activities. See education non-academic requirements for further information.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Master of Teaching students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

• 1 Specialisation (192 credit points) in Primary or Early Childhood or Secondary, and
• 3 Professional Experience units (0 credit points), or
• 2 Professional Experience units (0 credit points) with the Early Childhood Specialisation.

Primary and Secondary Specialisation students must also meet:

• Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.
• The English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Australia.

Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies.

Choose your subjects

Majors

You will choose either an Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary specialisation and complete two research units that focus on a contemporary research problem in education that is significant to your field of teacher training.

The Early Childhood specialisation qualifies you to become an early childhood teacher (six-weeks to five-years-old).

The Primary specialisation qualifies you to teach kindergarten to Year 6 children. To see what you need to have studied for a primary key learning area please see Master of Teaching Previous Studies Subject Guide.

The Secondary specialisation qualifies you to become a secondary school teacher. 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 (some online units require attendance at on-campus workshops).

Exit points

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) in the Early Childhood Specialisation.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) in the Early Childhood Specialisation comprising 8 coursework units and 2 professional placement units.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) in the Primary or Secondary Specialisation.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Master of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) in the Primary or Secondary Specialisation.

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

Indicative total fee $9,500

The amount shown here is 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.

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Applicants’ qualifications must meet the requirements for admission for:

• Secondary specialisation: Graduate study as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptor 2.1.1 (Subject Content Knowledge) or be able to meet these requirements by completing no more than two units which on all occasions will be undertaken as part of the degree; or
• Primary specialisation: Graduate study as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptor 2.1.1 (Subject Content Knowledge), AND NSW Band 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.
• Early childhood (Birth to 5 years) specialisation: Graduate study in an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent.

Applicants to the Primary or Secondary Specialisation must undertake the UAC or QTAC non-academic entry requirement test.

To meet the minimum English Language requirement for admission to this course, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:

a. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2; or

b. have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, an overall score of 7.0, with no band below 7.0 in the English International English Language Test System (IELTS) test or approved equivalent as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2.

To register as a teacher in Australia the minimum English Language requirements are:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic)
• A minimum score of 7 is needed in reading and writing
• A minimum score of 8 is needed in speaking and listening.
• This equates to an average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, or
• The International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR)
• A score of Level 4 is needed in all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, undertaken at approved testing sites where the assessment is teacher focused.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:

Overall Score: 7.5

• Reading: 7.0
• Writing: 7.0
• Listening: 8.0
• Speaking: 8.0.

Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing.

Early Childhood Specialisation: you will complete 60 days (480 hours) of professional placement during this course in two environments - a preschool setting and an infant and toddler setting.

Primary/Secondary Specialisation: you will complete a program of 60 days (480 hours) professional experience in school during the course, which enables you to put theory into practice as you observe and reflect on classroom dynamics.