Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall hold a relevant AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree of a recognised Australian University or tertiary institution (or overseas equivalent as assessed Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR)), with a minimum GPA of 3.50.

Applicants' undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies must include units meeting the NESA subject content requirements for their intended teaching area/s in the secondary school curriculum areas, as detailed below.

First Teaching Area—Major

Candidates in their undergraduate (and appropriate postgraduate) studies will have successfully undertaken the equivalent of three-quarters of a year (0.75 Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential units taken over three years. In most programs, this requirement equates to six units, with no more than two units at first-year level and no fewer than two units at third-year level.

Additional Teaching Area/s—Minor

Candidates wishing to be qualified to teach a second or subsequent secondary teaching area (for flexibility of employment) are required to have successfully undertaken the equivalent of half a year (0.5 EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. In most program, this requirement equates to four units, with no more than two units at first-year level. The University assesses applicants' eligibility for teaching areas based on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Subject Content Knowledge Requirements.

Teachers in New South Wales need to pass 24 credit points (cp) in curriculum methods units. To teach English, Mathematics, Science, Music or Visual Arts only, you study 4 units (24 cp) of curriculum methods in the teaching area. To qualify to teach in two different areas, you study 12 cp in each area. Students qualifying to teach Computing or Agriculture are an exception and only need to undertake 12 cp in total of curriculum methods units.

Applicants who are 12 credit points short of meeting the discipline prerequisite for a specific teaching area may be permitted to enrol in the relevant curriculum unit provided they enrol concurrently in the appropriate prerequisite discipline unit or units. All discipline prerequisites for curriculum units must be passed prior to or concurrently with Master of Teaching (Secondary) candidature. Such discipline prerequisite units are in addition to the program of study in the Master of Teaching and incur an additional cost.

Curriculum Specific Guidelines for First Designated Teaching Area

English:
Major in English with at least three units of a strong core of textual studies including literature. Other units may include studies in: communications, creative writing, linguistics and media studies.

Mathematics:
Major in pure or applied mathematics (must include algebra and calculus). One unit only of statistics may be counted provided it is studied as a stand-alone unit.

Science:
Biology - Major in science of four units in biology and two units in one of chemistry or physics
Chemistry - Major in science of four units in chemistry and two units in one of physics or biology or earth and environmental science
Earth and Environmental Science - Major in science of one unit in biology and one unit in geology or environmental science and two units in chemistry or physics and two other science units.
Physics - Major in science of four units in physics and two units in one of biology, chemistry or earth and environmental science.

Aboriginal Studies:
Major in Aboriginal studies in areas such as contact and Aboriginal history, anthropology, Aboriginal literature and Aboriginal language and linguistics.

Computing:
Computing Technology Information Systems - A major in computing or computing technology including at least two units that develop skills in information and communications technologies and information systems eg database design including relational databases and communication systems/networking.
Computing Technology Software Design - A major in computing or computing technology including at least two units that develop skills in the design and development of software eg programming in a computer-based language and system analysis, development and testing.

History:
Ancient History - Major in history in areas such as ancient history and archaeology.
Modern History - Major in history in areas such as Australian history, contact and Aboriginal history, early modern history, historiography and modern history.

Business Studies/Commerce:
Major in business related studies, including at least one unit of finance or accounting, and one unit of business management and remaining units drawn from business law (Australian/English), economics, human resource management, industrial relations or marketing, business management, finance or accounting.

Economics/Commerce:
Major in economics.

Geography:
Major in geography.

Legal Studies:
Major in social sciences including legal studies.

Studies of Religion:
Major in social sciences in areas such as studies in religion (preferably comparative religions) and culture.

Agriculture:
A major in agriculture in an area such as agricultural science, agricultural technology or horticulture, including studies of plants and animals, animal care, agricultural enterprises and chemical safety.

Languages:
A major in a language including study of the spoken and written language. Where the language is an Aboriginal language there may be specific cultural requirements.

Drama:
A major in drama including all of the following: performance, production and theory, and preferably Australian drama. Drama studies must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognised as equivalent.

Music:
Major in music, including all of the following: musicological study (music history and analysis) in a range of musical styles, periods and genres with a strong component of contemporary and western art music, compositional techniques and music performance studies (a minimum of two years of music performance studies, and preferably Australian music. The study of music and music practice must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognised as equivalent.

Visual Art:
A major in visual arts, including all of the following: practical studies in two and three and/or four dimensional art forms, art theory/history (a minimum of one year) and studio art making practice (a minimum of one year). The study of visual arts must be developed as a discrete discipline. Vocationally-oriented courses are not recognised as equivalent.

Society and Culture:
Qualifications in another discipline as per above and at least four units of degree level study in social sciences including one unit of sociology and with two units at level 2 or above in areas such as Aboriginal studies, anthropology, archaeology, Asian or Pacific Studies, civics, cultural studies, government, history, media studies, philosophy, politics, psychology (one unit may be counted), religion studies, social communication, sociology.

TESOL:
Qualifications in another discipline as per above and four units in linguistics. Two of the units may be English or a language.

English Language Requirements

A candidate shall comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Courses in Education Accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Additional Requirements

Prior to undertaking a professional experience placement in New South Wales, there are a number of mandatory requirements which must be fulfilled.

Working with Children Check*

All students intending to enrol in units of study involving a practical experience placement or otherwise requiring interaction with children, will be required to obtain and maintain a New South Wales Working with Children Check clearance (or equivalent, depending upon relevant State requirements). The student is required to provide the University with appropriate evidence of their clearance, which will be verified at UNE. Relevant Government agencies will advise the University of any bar that may be placed upon a student, and UNE will respond accordingly.

Anaphylaxis Training*

The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities requires that all initial teacher education students are trained in anaphylaxis management before they can undertake any professional experience in New South Wales public schools.
*These requirements are subject to change. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for current inforamtion (including requirements for other states).

Fit for Practice

Candidates entering a pre-service teaching program in Education will:

• follow the School of Education Code of Conduct, in particular, the Professional Experience Conduct for professional placement;
• exercise sound judgement based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of classroom situations;
• demonstrate personal resilience and persistence to cope and maintain wellbeing under stressful situations;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progression prior to professional placement;
• safeguard the University's integrity and demonstrate duty of care to students while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students;
• communicate to students with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to the age of the student profile;
• model the literacy and numeracy skills expected of teachers in interactions they have within the classroom and broader non-education settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school community.

Students who have a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact the Special Needs Office.

Students who have difficulties in meeting some of the above professional experience requirements will be required to contact the Professional Experience Office to put in place remedial and/or counselling activities through a pro-active approach to improve their teaching practice.

Professional Placements

A requirement of accreditation is that secondary school professional placements must be undertaken in a school using New South Wales Board of Studies syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses and be assessing teaching proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Students may only complete up to 10% (8 days) of the required secondary professional experience (practicum) days in primary schools not using NSW Board of Studies syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses. Limited placements can occur in non-Australian settings in accordance with the NESA policy regarding overseas placements. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement> webpage for further information.

Candidates are required to pass mandatory literacy and numeracy tests prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Progress and Conduct

Any candidate who has not successfully completed the mandatory literacy and numeracy tests before their final professional placement may be asked to show cause why their candidature should not be discontinued.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

1. To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including 48 credit points at 500-level and 60 days of embedded professional experience in the designated teaching areas/teaching specialisations.
2. Candidates are required to pass literacy and numeracy tests prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Exit Pathways

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the non-accredited, non-teaching qualification, Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies, on completion of 48 credit points at 300-level or above.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Teaching (Secondary). This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University or external accreditation body requirements.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.