Master of Teaching (Secondary), University of South Australia (UniSA). 2025 information for Australian students

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill
Mawson Lakes

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MMET

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Mode
On-campus

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed:
- A Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution with a competitive GPA, noting that admission is competitive and based on academic merit; and
- a major and preferably a minor (not essential) in the Learning Area in which they intend to specialise, aligned with the Australian Curriculum
To qualify for a Major Learning Area, applicants must have completed a minimum of six courses in a Learning Area that aligns with the Australian Curriculum. A maximum of two of those courses must have been completed at the first-year level and a minimum of two courses at the third-year level.

To qualify for a Minor Learning Area (not essential), applicants must have completed four courses in a Learning Area that aligns with the Australian Curriculum. A maximum of two of those courses must have been completed at the first-year level.

Critical information regarding Learning Areas entry requirements can be found here.

-----Additional entry requirements-----
In accordance with national teacher education program standards, applicants must also fulfil non-academic entry requirements. All applicants will be required to submit a 400-600 word Teaching Capabilities Statement with their application. Complete information on content, format and submission is available here.

Applicants are advised that a successful Working with Children Check (WWCC) with the Department of Human Services is required for all preservice teachers prior to undertaking any professional experience placement or site visit that involves contact with minors (under 18 years of age). Information on the procedure to be followed for obtaining clearance can be found on the Professional Experience Placement website.
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Due to program structure requirements, students commencing mid-year in the Health and Physical Education Learning Area will require 2.5 years to complete their program, with some semesters taken at a part-time load. Please note mid-year entry into the Health and Physical Education Learning Area is only available for domestic students.

Aim

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) qualifies graduates to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts and with the professional capacities to be creatively and innovatively responsive to the changing and challenging demands of being educators of learners in the secondary school years from Year 7 to Year 12. The degree provides a pathway for lifelong learning and professional development as a reflective practitioner.

Content & Structure

Preservice teachers of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree will have a body of knowledge in professional experience, professional and discipline-specific curriculum studies and education studies. The preservice teachers will develop an in-depth understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of secondary schooling philosophies and pedagogies, with focus on the diverse needs of adolescent learners. The preservice teachers will also build on their knowledge and skills of two learning areas gained in their prior degree in areas ranging from arts, science, mathematics, humanities and social sciences, health and physical education, and languages. Preservice teachers will have knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to teaching in the secondary school setting.

The preservice teachers will complete 72 units of study comprising core courses and courses that are specific to the secondary strand, and select 2 discipline/learning areas.

Domestic students can complete the secondary specialisation in an accelerated mode over 18 months full-time.

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From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

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What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Learning Area 1.1		4.5	Note(s): 1
Learning Area 2.1		4.5	Note(s): 1
Middle Years of Schooling	EDUC 5269	4.5
Critical Perspectives of Education	EDUC 5249	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Study Period 4
Reflexive Practice and Professional Experience 1	EDUC 5271	9		Rule(s): 1
Learning Area 1.2		4.5	Note(s): 1
Study Period 6
Middle Schooling Pedagogies	EDUC 5268	4.5
Curriculum, Pedagogy and Democracy	EDUC 5152	4.5
Foundations of Learning and Development: A Child Centred Approach	EDUC 5261	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
Learning Area 1.3		4.5	Note(s): 1
Learning Area 2.2		4.5	Note(s): 1
Reflexive Practice and Professional Experience 2: Inquiry into Practice	EDUC 5294	13.5		Rule(s): 1
OR
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Reflexive Practice and Professional Experience 2: Inquiry into Practice	EDUC 5294	13.5		Rule(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Arts Education Learning Area
Planning and Teaching for Effective Arts Learning	EDUC 5144	4.5
Professional Learning in Arts Education	EDUC 5145	4.5
Foundations for Specialist Arts Educators	EDUC 5143	4.5
English Education Learning Area
English for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5164	4.5
English for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5165	4.5
English for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5163	4.5
Health and Physical Education Learning Area
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5167	4.5
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5168	4.5
Health and Physical Education for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5169	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences Learning Area
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5171	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5172	4.5
Humanities and Social Sciences for Secondary Teaching 3	EDUC 5173	4.5
Languages Education Learning Area (Languages other than English LOTE)
Curriculum Development for Languages Education	EDUC 5153	4.5
Interactions for Languages Education	EDUC 5176	4.5
Learning a New Language and Culture	EDUC 5284	4.5
Mathematics Education Learning Areas
Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5292	4.5
Mathematics for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5184	4.5
Mathematics and Science for Senior Secondary Teaching	EDUC 5194	4.5
Science Education Learning Area
Mathematics and Science for Senior Secondary Teaching	EDUC 5194	4.5
Science for Secondary Teaching 1	EDUC 5197	4.5
Science for Secondary Teaching 2	EDUC 5193	4.5
Islamic Pedagogy Learning Area (available as a minor learning area only)
Islamic Pedagogy: Principles and Praxis	EDUC 5262	4.5
Islamic Pedagogy: Quality Teaching and Learning	EDUC 5263	4.5
Teaching English as a Second Language Learning Area (available as a minor learning area only)
TESOL Approaches and Strategies	EDUC 5199	4.5
Curriculum Development in TESOL	EDUC 5154	4.5
Integrated Teaching and Vocational Education (available as a minor learning area only)
Integrated Teaching and Mentoring in Schools, Communities and Workplaces	EDUC 5175	4.5
Integrated Teaching and Vocational Education in Schools	EDUC 5283	4.5
Outdoor and Environmental Education Learning Area (available as a minor learning area only)
Outdoor and Environmental Education Pedagogy 1- Middle Years	EDUC 5290	4.5
Outdoor and Environmental Education Pedagogy 2 - Senior Years	EDUC 5291	4.5
ELECTIVES
Integrated Teaching and Vocational Education in Schools	EDUC 5283	4.5
Islamic Pedagogy: Principles and Praxis	EDUC 5262	4.5
Online Learning Communities: Formal and Informal	EDUC 5239	4.5
Introduction to Digital Learning	EDUC 5243	4.5
Integrated Teaching and Mentoring in Schools, Communities and Workplaces	EDUC 5175	4.5
Learning English as an Additional Language	EDUC 5180	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Preservice teachers are required to take the two Reflexive Practice and Professional Experience courses in sequence. Reflexive Practice and Professional Experience days and blocks must be taken on a continuous full-time basis regardless of whether a preservice teacher is studying in a part-time or full-time mode.

2. Accreditation requirements mandate that preservice teachers in a two year program undertake supervised professional experience of no less than 60 days in a formal education setting. In South Australia this includes preschool settings. Preservice teachers are assessed against the Teachers Registration Board (SA) professional teaching standards and are awarded a non-graded pass (NGP).

3. Preservice teachers will be required to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWCC) through the Department of Human Services (DHS). The clearance will be valid for five years. The WWCC must be completed prior to being accepted for a placement and can take up to six to eight weeks to be processed. Strict confidentiality is maintained during the DHS clearance process. If a preservice teacher fails to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity that a preservice teacher may require to complete the course of study. If preservice teachers cannot undertake a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity which is a compulsory part of the program, they cannot graduate with an Initial Teacher Education degree from UniSA.

4. Preservice teachers enrolled in programs in UniSA Education Futures and who are completing any in-school or site (ie preschools and childcare settings) observations, activities or professional experience placements, must undertake mandatory training in Responding to Abuse and Neglect prior to the commencement of the activities or placements. In South Australia child protection legislation and policy require all organisations to establish and promote child safe environments. Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect training is required of all individuals working with children and young people. All preservice teachers undertaking professional experience placements in South Australian government and non-government schools and preschools must provide documented evidence (ie a certificate) that shows they have completed all the required training from one of the providers mentioned on the following website. For more information go to the UniSA Education Futures Pre-requisites and Requirements web page.

5. All preservice teachers must meet the required standard in the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) to be eligible for program completion and graduation. Preservice teachers will attempt LANTITE as they progress through their program. Preservice teachers will be required to successfully achieve both the literacy and numeracy components of LANTITE as a prerequisite for enrolment in their final Professional Experience Placement course. The University will provide a range of supports for preservice teachers to help them achieve the required standard. Preservice teachers will be allowed three attempts at each test. Any preservice teacher who fails to meet the standard on three occasions in either the literacy or numeracy test will be counselled regarding options.

Notes

1. Learning Area courses 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 must be chosen from the preservice teacher's major learning area while courses 2.1 and 2.2 are chosen from their minor learning area. Not all learning areas are available every year. Please check with your Program Director for availability.

2. This course should be selected from the Electives list above. Students with a Health & Physical Education major learning area will complete course "EDUC 5141 Advanced Pedagogies in Health and Physical Education" as their elective.

Professional accreditation and recognition

Successful completion of this program provides a recognised academic qualification which will enable graduates to apply for teacher registration in South Australia, interstate and some overseas countries. Applicants should note there are other criteria determining eligibility for registration by the Teachers Registration Board of South Australia and other registration and regulatory authorities. Applicants are advised to check registration requirements as they are subject to change.