Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Overview

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a postgraduate initial teacher education qualification. This course embraces innovative delivery techniques and combines contemporary research and advanced pedagogical knowledge and skills, with practicum opportunities. Graduates are prepared to be future educational leaders and innovators with a strong identity of themselves as teachers and teacher researchers. Graduates from this course will have opportunities to apply for positions in secondary school settings in a range of government, Catholic and independent secondary schools.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to :

• analyse, plan and implement highly effective learning programs for chosen methods in secondary education through an understanding of human development incorporating both theoretical and evidence-based research
• maximise student learning outcomes through the integrated application of learning areas, disciplines and pedagogical approaches in secondary education
• critically analyse the impact of global and local education policy, leadership and practice on secondary education systems from a socio-political perspective
• apply critical thinking to understanding ethical approaches to designing and implementing learning programs in secondary education where robust and rigorous evaluative tools are used to measure impact on student learning and wellbeing
• plan, teach and assess student learning with integrity, using ethical and professional approaches to practice in secondary education
• partner innovatively and ethically with industry, communities and families to maximise opportunities for student learning, outcomes and life achievements as well as professional growth
• investigate complex local and global issues, including the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and masterfully articulate the implications of these issues while providing potential solutions to bring about positive change in secondary education
• create and design innovative learning programs in secondary education that are responsive to student learning needs, underpinned by theoretical and evidence-based practices and aligned with jurisdictional curriculum and regulatory expectations

Career opportunities

Graduates are prepared to be future educational leaders and innovators with a strong identity of themselves as teachers and teacher researchers. Graduates from this course will have opportunities to apply for positions in secondary school settings in a range of government, Catholic and independent secondary schools.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the course (who meet VIT language competency) will be eligible for provisional registration by the Victorian Institute of Teaching as secondary teachers, and by reciprocal arrangements with teacher education authorities in other states, they are eligible for provisional registration in all Australian states and territories.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Master of Teaching (Secondary) students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

• Thirteen (13) Core units of study (187.5 credit points)
• Three (3) Placement Units: comprising One (1) Placement unit (12.5 credit points) and Two (2) Supervised Practicum units (0 credit points),  including 480 hours of placement.

Academic Progress – Special Requirements

In addition to the standard academic progress rules, students enrolled in the Master of Teaching (Secondary) must meet the following special academic progress requirements, as outlined in accordance with Academic Courses Regulation 62(2):

At Risk of Unsatisfactory Progress

A student will be classified as at risk if they:

1. Engage in behaviour that breaches the Swinburne Student Charter while on a teaching placement.
2. Fail to attempt both components of the National Literacy and Numeracy Test (LANTITE) before passing 50 credit points of studies*

Unsatisfactory Progress

A student will be classified as having unsatisfactory progress if they:

1. Fail to successfully complete both components of the LANTITE before passing 100 credit points of studies*, or after three attempts, whichever comes first.
2. Fail a Professional Experience unit.
3. Receive a Fitness to Practice outcome to terminate their studies, and will be required to Show Cause.

*Exclusions:

• Passing means achieving a pass grade or higher for units within this course, and excludes credit granted for advanced standing or recognition of prior learning (RPL).
• LANTITE-related requirements do not apply to students who have been formally recognised as proficient in an Australian First Nations language. These students are not required to complete the LANTITE.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Teaching (Secondary) is 100 credit points (normally eight units).

Further information for students

Swinburne supports students to make informed choices when applying for and enrolling in courses. In education there are functional and behavioural abilities required to undertake tasks, learning activities or assessments. These functions are described below to assist prospective students when assessing whether they can successfully undertake an Initial Teacher Education Course.

Reasonable adjustments

Swinburne upholds inclusive academic practices, ensuring that students with disabilities and other conditions can undertake courses and participate in study. Reasonable adjustments can be implemented to support students through viable arrangements to enable students with a disability or a chronic health condition to undertake the studies while maintaining the academic integrityof core course requirements.

Students considering whether they may be eligible for reasonable adjustments should contact Swinburne’s AccessAbility Services and will need to complete an AccessAbility Registration Form.