The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is an initial teacher education course for those who aim to pursue a career as a secondary school teacher.
Upon completion, you will be qualified to teach in two discipline teaching areas: a major teaching area (Years 7 – 12) and a minor teaching area (Years 7-10). These teaching areas are based on your already completed undergraduate degree with a set number of units completed within that qualification per major and minor teaching area.
The course will provide you with the skills, knowledge and experiences necessary to positively impact student learning in secondary school classrooms across the two teaching areas.
In addition to building the professional knowledge and skills required to teach, the course is designed to foster your disposition for engaging in, and contributing to, the teaching profession through a commitment to ongoing professional learning.
The course is structured to include work-integrated learning in each term of study.
The design of this course utilises CQUniversity’s three term structure, enabling an AQF Level 9 qualification to be completed in 1.5 years. A part-time pathway is also available.
Students undertaking an initial teacher education course must complete both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) with a result of “Standard Achieved” to be eligible for graduation. As per the national guidelines for teacher registration, you must attempt both the Literacy and Numeracy tests in your first year of study. You will need to have met the requirement of "Standard Achieved" to be eligible to register for the two linked final placements of Professional Praxis 3 and Professional Praxis 4.
This course can only be studied within Australia.
Each student's discipline teaching areas are determined as part of the initial application process with teaching area selection based upon prior study with no additional discipline content units completed within this course.
A list of teaching areas that can be studied in this course is available in the "More Details" section of this handbook.
Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a teacher upon completion.
Graduates will be eligible to apply for employment in State, Catholic and Independent schools throughout Australia.
The course is also recognised as a teaching qualification for employment in educational settings internationally, however additional requirements may apply in some locations.
Graduates of this course have developed significant skills that enhance employment opportunities in other sectors. In combination with work experience and personal qualities, graduates may pursue employment in a variety of career paths including:
Duration | 1.5 years full-time or 2.5 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 96 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | MTeach(Sec) |
AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Academic Requirements (Pre-requisite Qualification)
A completed 3 year non-education Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree^, or overseas equivalent qualification, with a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 4.0 which has been completed within the last 10 years* that demonstrates sufficient knowledge development in two recognised teaching areas:
Major Teaching Area: Study equivalent to a total of three-quarters of a year of successful full time higher education study, comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years. This equates to six units, with no more than two at first year level and no fewer than two units at third year level.
Minor Teaching Area: Study equivalent to a total of half a year of successful full time higher education study, comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. This equates to four units, with no more than two at first year level.
*Degrees must have been completed/conferred within the last 10 years from the date of term commencement for the relevant intake term. Applicants who completed their Bachelor degree ten or more years ago will need to supply a statement of service which demonstrates professional experience in the same area as their undergraduate degree. The statement of service must be presented on a company letterhead as well as signed and dated by a delegated authority. The letter must contain position title, duties performed and length of service.
^ Applicants who hold a completed 3-year AQF equivalent Bachelor of Education/Teaching qualification, which does not lead to Teacher Registration in Australia may be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants are required to submit a formal application for consideration and must demonstrate sufficient knowledge development in two recognised teaching areas as detailed in the course entry requirements.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants are required to provide evidence of their completed 3 year non-education^ Bachelor level qualification with an overall Grade Point Average of at least 4.0, which has been completed within Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or the United States of America.
If you do not satisfy the above requirement, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
Each applicant will be assessed individually.
N/A
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CC34 - Graduate Diploma of Teaching |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
EDFE20037 - Supervised placement as per EDFE20037 Unit Profile |
EDFE20036 - Supervised placement as per EDFE20036 Unit Profile |
EDFE20035 - Supervised placement as per EDFE20035 Unit Profile |
EDFE20034 - Wider Field Experience as per EDFE20034 Unit Profile |
Year | Number of Students |
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2025 | 175 |
2024 | 158 |
2023 | 188 |
2022 | 240 |
2021 | 274 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Students must meet the inherent requirements for teaching and must ensure they adhere to any requirements within the scope of teaching across the curriculum learning areas.
This course requires you to possess a Working with Children Check (WWCC) to enable you to participate in work integrated learning in schools and other learning sites.
Students must be aware of the Literacy and Numeracy Tests for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) requirements.
Course Learning Outcomes | |||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | |||||||
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | |||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | |||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | |||||||
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | |||||||
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | |||||||
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | |||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | |||||||
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | |||||||
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | |||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
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Students who commence in Term 2 cannot study the entire course with a full time study load
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED20519 | Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (Postgraduate) | |
EDSE20017 | Learning and Teaching in Junior Secondary | |
EDSE20018 | Junior Secondary Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment | |
EDFE20034 | Professional Praxis 1: Understanding learning contexts |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED20493 | Diversity and Inclusion | |
EDSE20021 | Senior Secondary Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment | |
EDSE20019 | Literacy and Numeracy Learning and Teaching | |
EDFE20035 | Professional Praxis 2: Supportive Learning Environments |
Year 1 - Term 3 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDED20495 | Special Needs | |
EDED20494 | Indigenous Learners and Learning | |
EDSE20015 | Neuroeducation and Assessment | |
EDFE20036 | Professional Praxis 3: Enacting Learning and Teaching |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
EDSE20016 | Digital Learning and Teaching | |
EDED20496 | Teacher as Researcher: Improving Educational Outcomes | |
EDED20505 | Demonstrating Impact: Curriculum and Pedagogy in Practice | |
EDFE20037 | Professional Praxis 4: Transition to Teaching |
Location
This course can only be studied within Australia.
Course Duration Requirements
Full Time Duration:
• Term 1 commencement: 1.5 years
• Term 2 commencement: 2 years (see notes below)
Part Time Duration:
• Term 1 commencement: 2.5 years or 4.5 years
• Term 2 commencement: (see notes below)
Please note: If you do not successfully complete your units on the first attempt, or take a Leave of Absence, your course duration and completion timeframe may be extended.
Term 1 commencement:
There are two part time course planning options for students who commence in Term 1. The traditional part time course planner schedules two units per term in most terms, with the final term of study requiring a full time commitment to study four units. Alternatively, a specialised part time course planner which provides for a reduced study load of one unit per term in most terms is also available.
Term 2 commencement:
The full time course planner for students commencing in Term 2 consists of a mixture of full time and part time terms. This is due to the limited term availabilities and strict pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for the units in this course. As such, it is not possible for students who commence in Term 2 to complete the course with full time study in all terms.
Students commencing in Term 2 who wish to study part time may follow the part time course planner, which provides for a reduced study load of one unit per term in most terms or may follow the full time course planner if a combination of full time and part time study is more suitable.
Course Planners
Please see Course Planners for planners that outline a recommended enrolment pattern for timely completion.
Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE)
Students undertaking an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course must complete both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) with a result of “Standard Achieved” to be eligible for graduation. As per the national guidelines, you must attempt both the Literacy and Numeracy tests in your first year of study.
You will need to have met the requirement of "Standard Achieved" to be eligible to register for the two linked final year placements of Professional Practice 3 and Professional Practice 4. Registration for these placements occurs in August of the year prior to their scheduled completion. You will not be able to enrol in EDFE14021 Professional Practice 4 or complete a placement for this unit if you have not submitted a registration form confirming successful completion of LANTITE.
Students whose course admission is effective from Term 1 2025 onwards are strongly encouraged to enrol into EDED20519 Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Education Students (Postgraduate) in their first term of study. This unit contains vital information about LANTITE, provides resources and study materials and is where you upload the results of your test attempts. Please refer to your course planner or the unit's Moodle site for additional information. Please note: students admitted prior to Term 1 2025 do not complete EDED20519 and will submit evidence of their LANTITE attempts and completion via other methods which will be advised via email from the Work Integrated Learning team and/or the Academic Director of Professional Practice.
NB: LANTITE is completed externally to the university and is a mandated component of all teacher education courses in Australia. Students are responsible for meeting the registration costs of each test. For further details including how to register, prepare and sit the tests, the available test windows and associated costs, please visit the ACER website.
Placement Units
Students must complete 65 assessable supervised placement days to satisfy the course accreditation requirements.
• EDFE20035 Professional Praxis 2: 20 day supervised placement
• EDFE20036 Professional Praxis 3: 20 day supervised placement
• EDFE20037 Professional Praxis 4: 25 day supervised placement
Each Praxis unit has a pre-requisite which must be adhered to. To be eligible to enrol in EDFE20037 Professional Praxis 4, students must have successfully completed all other units in the course with the exception of a co-requisite unit scheduled for the capstone term. All assessment for a co-requisite unit must be submitted and successfully passed prior to commencement of the Professional Praxis 4 placement.
Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)
The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a new initiative designed to help eligible nursing, midwifery, social work and teaching students manage the costs associated with undertaking a mandatory placement (also known as a practicum or work-integrated learning).
Starting from 1 July 2025, eligible students will receive AU$331.65 per week whilst undertaking a mandatory placement. The payment will be means-tested to ensure support is targeted to students who need it the most. This amount is subject to change in future years.
For Higher Education students, CQUniversity will manage the CPP application process and distribution of payment to successful applicants. Details can be found here.
Working with Children Check
Pre-service teachers must be enrolled in a CQUniversity Professional Practice unit and have a current Positive Notice Blue Card (or equivalent “Working with Children” check issued in other Australian states or territories) to be eligible for placement in a school/early learning centre/educational site. Please log onto the placement system, Sonia, to access the online form to apply for a Working with Children Check. Some States or Territories may have additional mandatory checks that must be completed prior to commencing a placement. Please review the Mandatory Check Guideline provided by the Work Integrated Learning team to meet all required checks for your State or Territory.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit transfer will not be granted towards curriculum and pedagogy units within the Master of Teaching courses on the basis of work experience and/or informal and non-formal learning.
Credit transfer will only be granted from formal learning where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQU unit, have been successfully completed as part of an accredited Initial Teacher Education Course.
It is an expectation that all pre-service teachers must be able to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate Career Stage to be registered in Queensland. Demonstration of the standards necessarily includes relevant knowledge of planning, teaching, assessing and reporting in accordance with the mandated curriculum.
Core curriculum and pedagogy units are an essential component of the course to ensure that students have all the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Career Stage).
In addition, graduation from an Initial Teacher Education Course and eligibility for teacher registration requires the completion of a minimum number of assessable placement days in schools or other approved learning sites.
Credit is normally granted only for units satisfactorily completed in the last 5 years for practical placement units and in the last 7 years for curriculum units at a recognised educational institution.
Refer to the Credit For Prior Learning website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process or contact the Academic Pathways Team at credit@cqu.edu.au.
To confirm the credit application closing dates, please click here.
Career Opportunities
Like other professions, the teaching profession is impacted by issues of supply and demand. It is therefore wise to investigate your employment prospects prior to deciding on a course specialisation. This is especially important if you are unable to relocate.
Master of Teaching (Secondary) Teaching Areas
Students in this course have two teaching areas:
Major Teaching Area - Year 11-12 PLUS the corresponding Year 7-10 curriculum area
Minor Teaching Area - Year 7-10 only
Therefore, students will have ONE Senior Teaching Area (Year 11-12) plus TWO Junior Teaching Areas (Year 7-10).
Teaching areas for the CL05 Master of Teaching (Secondary) course are determined as part of the initial application process.
Students who wish to request a change to their teaching areas after admission can connect with the National Admissions Team by emailing apps@cqu.edu.au with confirmation of which teaching areas they would like to change, along with evidence of the correlating units that demonstrate sufficient knowledge within the new teaching area/s. Please note that this review may only be requested prior to the Census Date of your admission term, as the National Admissions Team will not consider teaching area review requests after the Census Date.
Available teaching areas in this course:
Major (Year 11-12) Teaching Areas
Major Teaching Area |
Corresponding Year 7-10 teaching area* |
Biology (Year 11-12) |
Science (Year 7-10) |
Business (Year 11-12) |
Business (Year 7-10) |
Chemistry (Year 11-12) |
Science (Year 7-10) |
Design (Year 11-12) |
Digital Technologies (Year 7-10) or Industrial Technology and Design (Year 7-10) |
Drama (Year 11-12) |
Drama (Year 7-10) |
English (Year 11-12) |
English (Year 7-10) |
Film, Television and New Media (Year 11-12) |
Media Arts (Year 7-10) |
Food and Nutrition (Year 11-12) |
Home Economics (Year 7-10) |
Geography (Year 11-12) |
Geography (Year 7-10) |
History (Year 11-12) |
History (Year 7-10) |
Mathematics (Year 11-12) |
Mathematics (Year 7-10) |
Music (Classroom) (Year 11-12) |
Music (Classroom) (Year 7-10) |
Physical Education (Year 11-12) |
Health and Physical Education (Year 7-10) |
Psychology (Year 11 - 12) |
Science (Year 7-10) |
*A Major Teaching Area is taught in Year 7-12 which includes a Year 11-12 subject plus the Year 7-10 corresponding teaching area.
Minor (Year 7-10) Teaching Areas
Business (Year 7-10) |
Digital Technologies (Year 7-10) |
Drama (Year 7-10) |
English (Year 7-10) |
Geography (Year 7-10) |
Health and Physical Education (Year 7-10) |
History (Year 7-10) |
Home Economics (Year 7-10) |
Industrial Technology and Design (Year 7-10) |
Mathematics (Year 7-10) |
Media Arts (Year 7-10) |
Music (Classroom) (Year 7-10) |
Music (Instrumental) (can only be chosen as a minor teaching area) |
Science (Year 7-10) |
Teaching Area combinations:
Students cannot choose the following Major and Minors as their only two teaching areas as they must have one other junior area from the list above:
• Biology (Year 11-12) and Science (Year 7-10)
• Business (Year 11-12) and Business (Year 7-10)
• Chemistry (Year 11-12) and Science (Year 7-10)
• Design (Year 11-12) and Digital Technologies (Year 7-10)
• Design (Year 11-12) and Industrial Technology and Design (Year 7-10)
• Drama (Year 11-12) and Drama (Year 7-10)
• English (Year 11-12) and English (Year 7-10)
• Film, Television and New Media (Year 11-12) and Media Arts (Year 7-10)
• Food and Nutrition (Year 11-12) and Home Economics (Year 7-10)
• Geography (Year 11-12) and Geography (Year 7-10)
• History (Year 11-12) and History (Year 7-10)
• Mathematics (Year 11-12) and Mathematics (Year 7-10)
• Music (Classroom) (Year 11-12) and Music (Classroom) (Year 7-10)
• Physical Education (Year 11-12) and Health and Physical Education (Year 7-10)
• Food and Nutrition (Year 11-12) and Home Economics (Year 7-10)
• Psychology (Year 11-12) and Science (Year 7-10)
Curriculum and Pedagogy Units:
Curriculum and pedagogy for the Minor Teaching Area (Year 7-10) AND the Year 7-10 component of the Major Teaching Area is covered in the unit EDSE20018 Junior Secondary Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment which is why this unit is 12 credit points (i.e. equivalent to two units).
Curriculum and pedagogy for the Major Teaching Area for Years 11-12 is covered in the unit EDSE20021 Senior Secondary Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment.