The Master of Teaching (Secondary) curriculum at Western Sydney University is structured to provide a comprehensive and practical education, preparing graduates for the complexities of teaching in secondary schools. The program spans 160 credit points and is delivered through a combination of coursework and extensive professional experience.

Key areas of study typically include:

1. Foundational Studies in Education:
   • Units focusing on educational psychology, adolescent development, theories of learning and teaching, and the social, cultural, and ethical contexts of education.
   • Emphasis on diversity, social justice, and inclusive education practices.
2. Curriculum and Pedagogy (Teaching Methods):
   • Specialised units in two chosen secondary teaching areas (e.g., English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE, Creative Arts, PDHPE, Languages). These units focus on effective teaching strategies, curriculum planning, assessment design, and resource development specific to these disciplines.
   • Students must meet the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) subject content knowledge requirements for their chosen teaching areas, often requiring specific undergraduate units in their first degree.
3. Professional Experience:
   • A critical component involving supervised professional placements in secondary school settings, totaling approximately 80 days. These placements are designed to provide hands-on teaching experience, observation, and participation in school life under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers. Placements are typically structured across multiple blocks throughout the program.
   • Includes a focus on classroom management, student engagement, assessment for learning, and professional conduct.
4. Literacy, Numeracy, and Research:
   • Units that address the development of literacy and numeracy skills for secondary students across all subjects.
   • Introduction to educational research methods, enabling teachers to engage in evidence-based practice and reflective inquiry.

The program aims to develop highly skilled and adaptable teachers who are capable of creating positive and engaging learning environments and responding to the diverse needs of secondary school students.

Entry Criteria

• Academic qualifications Applicants must have successfully completed a recognised undergraduate Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from an accredited university.
  • Subject Content Knowledge: The undergraduate degree must include sufficient completed units that align with the secondary subject content requirements of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for at least two subject areas the applicant intends to teach (e.g., Mathematics and Science; English and History). Applicants should consult the NESA Subject Content Knowledge Requirements for detailed prerequisites for each teaching area. Where these requirements are not fully met, applicants may be advised on concurrent enrolment in relevant undergraduate units (though this option may be limited or vary).
  • Academic Performance: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale) in undergraduate study is generally required.
• Non-Academic Requirements:
  • Non-Academic Capability Assessment: All applicants are required to successfully complete a non-academic capability assessment (e.g., a statement or online questionnaire) to demonstrate their suitability for teaching, including personal attributes such as communication, collaboration, resilience, and motivation.
  • Working With Children Check (WWCC): A valid WWCC clearance is mandatory for all students undertaking professional experience placements in schools.
  • National Criminal History Check: A valid National Criminal History Check is required.
  • NESA Teacher Accreditation Requirements: Students must meet and maintain various NESA requirements for student teacher accreditation and later, provisional and full teacher accreditation, including professional standards and conduct.
  • Inherent Requirements: Applicants should review the inherent requirements for the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program, available on the Western Sydney University website, to ensure they can meet the essential demands of teaching practice.

Language Proficiency

• English language requirements (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) Due to the critical communication demands of teaching and the strict requirements for teacher registration by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and NESA, high English language proficiency is mandatory:
  • IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5, with no score in Reading and Writing less than 7.0, and no score in Listening and Speaking less than 8.0.
    • (Accepted from one test sitting, OR a maximum of two test sittings within a six-month period, provided a minimum overall score of 7.5 is achieved in each sitting, no score falls below 7.0 in Reading and Writing, no score falls below 7.5 in Listening and Speaking, and all components achieve the required minimums across the two sittings).
  • PTE Academic: Overall score of 78, with minimum communicative skill scores of Reading 65, Writing 65, Listening 79, and Speaking 79.
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 105, with minimum sub-scores of Listening 28, Speaking 26, Reading 24, and Writing 24.
  • OET: Minimum score of B in each of the four components.
  • Exemption: If you have completed at least four years of full-time higher education study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States, that results in a qualification comparable to an Australian bachelor’s degree or higher.