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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July, September, October
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Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Online
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
MTeach
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Course code
1209001
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Credit points
192
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Equivalent units
16
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
March, June, August, October
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Duration
2 years full-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7
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Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
MTeach
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Course code
1209001
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Credit points
192
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Equivalent units
16
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Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Our two-year (or 18 months if fast tracked*) Master of Teaching program qualifies you to be a teacher in Australia, and many countries overseas. Teaching is a career in which you can make a positive and life-long impact on the lives of children and young people.
You can choose to specialise in early childhood education, primary education, or secondary education.
As well as undertaking an education research project, this course includes professional experience learning via placement in early childhood education settings, schools, and/or community sites of a total 480 hours. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed in Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning days must be completed, and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
All primary and secondary students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the second professional experience placement.
Undertaking full-time study may be required from January to December (6 teaching terms) depending on your program of study.
Applicants for the Master of Teaching Primary or Secondary specialisations must complete an online questionnaire, including two 500-word written statements about your motivation and suitability for teaching and your involvement in learning and leadership activities. See education non-academic requirements for further information.
Please note, each teaching area requires the completion of previous studies related to that area. If you have not already completed these studies, you may be required to complete additional units as part of your degree.
*depending on course and specialisation pathway and term commencement.
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“I feel fortunate to be their teacher. They are at an age when their personalities are really emerging. They have such humour and curiosity. You can have a joke with them, yet at the same time they are serious about wanting to learn. They are respectful too. We respect each other.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Research, synthesise, create and evaluate complex ideas and theories to transform and disrupt thinking in educational practice. Apply knowledge and understanding of diverse ways of knowing and learning in educational contexts to inform connected and compassionate ways of teaching, including environmental and sustainable practices. |
GA2: Creativity Exercise cognitive and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise knowledge to develop innovative and creative responses to local and global challenges in educational settings. |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of professional, ethical, legislative requirements and human rights principles in education settings. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Critically analyse disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge application in relation to curriculum content and frameworks. Integrate scholarly knowledge of pedagogical principles for effective assessment practices and supportive learning environments. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Apply learning and reflective practice to develop personal and professional skills, including literacy, numeracy and academic integrity. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Effectively use leadership skills to interpret, communicate and direct teamwork in professional educational settings. |
GA7: Cultural competence Implement and incorporate respect for diversity in oneself and others while actively embedding proactive and inclusive strategies to encourage and support student engagement. Apply a broad knowledge and understanding of the impacts of culture, cultural identity and linguistic backgrounds on the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. |
Early Childhood Specialisation: you will complete 60 days (480 hours) of professional placement during this course in two environments - a preschool setting and an infant and toddler setting.
Primary/Secondary Specialisation: you will complete a program of 60 days (480 hours) professional experience in school during the course, which enables you to put theory into practice as you observe and reflect on classroom dynamics.
Professional experience provides opportunities for you to become acquainted with the formal and informal aspects of what occurs in classrooms and schools or early childhood settings and to demonstrate your independent and professional capabilities as teachers.
Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, including a Working with Children Check, must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
You will choose either an Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary specialisation and complete two research units that focus on a contemporary research problem in education that is significant to your field of teacher training.
The Early Childhood specialisation qualifies you to become an early childhood teacher (six-weeks to five-years-old).
The Primary specialisation qualifies you to teach kindergarten to Year 6 children. To see what you need to have studied for a primary key learning area please see Master of Teaching Previous Studies Subject Guide.
The Secondary specialisation qualifies you to become a secondary school teacher. To see what you need to have studied for a secondary teaching subject, please see Master of Teaching Previous Studies Subject Guide. Depending on your previous study, you may need to complete additional units, some of which may only be available on campus.
All core education units can be studied on campus or online (some online units require attendance at on-campus workshops).
Note: International EAP3 students can progress to a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood specialisation) with an equivalent of IELTS 7.0.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 |
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast (Early Childhood Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 111196D |
| Gold Coast (Primary Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 110588G |
| Gold Coast (Secondary Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 110587H |
| SCU Melbourne (Early Childhood Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 111196D |
| SCU Perth (Early Childhood Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 111196D |
| SCU Sydney (Early Childhood Specialisation) | Term 1, Term 3, Term 4, Term 5 | $25,000 ($3,125 per unit) | 111196D |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
Graduates from the early childhood specialisation are qualified to teach in early childhood services. Graduates from the Primary specialisation are qualified to teach in primary schools (kindergarten/prep to Year 6).
Graduates from the Secondary specialisation are qualified to teach in their chosen learning areas in secondary schools.
The Master of Teaching is accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), and approved by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) for Primary and the Secondary initial teacher education in accordance with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.
The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is accredited by the Australian Children's Education and Care Authority (ACECQA).
Usually, Australian teacher qualifications are recognised internationally, however, students are advised to check with potential employers and teacher registration authorities in other countries regarding overseas accreditation requirements.
Primary and Secondary Initial Teacher Education students across Australia need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE). Early Childhood Initial Teacher Education students do not have to do the LANTITE.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
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Applicants’ qualifications must meet the requirements for admission for:
- secondary specialisation: Graduate study as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptor 2.1.1 (Subject Content Knowledge) or be able to meet these requirements by completing no more than two units which on all occasions will be undertaken as part of the degree; or
- primary specialisation: Graduate study as advised by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Graduate Teacher Standard Descriptor 2.1.1 (Subject Content Knowledge), AND NSW Band 4 in Mathematics or equivalent.
- early childhood (Birth to 5 years) specialisation: Graduate study in an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent.
- Applicants to the Primary or Secondary Specialisation must undertake the UAC or QTAC non-academic entry requirement test, which is a NESA requirement.
To meet the minimum English Language requirement for admission to this course, an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
a. have completed approved qualifications where language of instruction was English as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2; or
b. have achieved within (2) years of the proposed start date, an overall score of 7.0, with no band below 7.0 in the English International English Language Test System (IELTS) test or approved equivalent as outlined in Rules Relating to Awards – Rule 2 – Section 2.
To register as a teacher in Australia the minimum English Language requirements are:
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International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic)
- A minimum score of 7 is needed in reading and writing
- A minimum score of 8 is needed in speaking and listening.
- This equates to an average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, or
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The International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR)
- A score of Level 4 is needed in all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing, undertaken at approved testing sites where the assessment is teacher focused.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7 |
| Reading | 7 |
| Writing | 7 |
| Listening | 7 |
| Speaking | 7 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Master of Teaching students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
- 1 Specialisation (192 credit points) in Primary or Early Childhood or Secondary and
- 3 Professional Experience units (0 credit points) or
- 2 Professional Experience units (0 credit points) with the Early Childhood Specialisation
and Primary and Secondary Specialisation students must also meet:
- Both components of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) as required by the Federal Government.
- The English language proficiency requirements for teacher registration in Australia.
Permission to undertake a professional experience placement requires meeting all academic and non-academic requirements as stipulated by the University and relevant accreditation bodies.
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points) in the Early Childhood Specialisation.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) in the Early Childhood Specialisation comprising 8 coursework units and 2 professional placement units.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) in the Primary or Secondary Specialisation.
Students may be eligible to exit with the Master of Educational Studies after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) in the Primary or Secondary Specialisation.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why Education at SCU
5-star rating
5-star rating for postgraduate overall experience, student support, skills development and teaching quality in Education and Training
(GUG 2023)Higher starting salary
Graduates have a higher starting salary than national average in Teacher Education
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)Graduate employment
90% of graduates employed within four months of completing their course
(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2019)Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
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Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
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International students studying in Australia
Gold Coast (Early Childhood Specialisation)
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Gold Coast (Primary Specialisation)
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SCU Melbourne (Early Childhood Specialisation)
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SCU Perth (Early Childhood Specialisation)
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SCU Sydney (Early Childhood Specialisation)
Notice: Term 4 is available for the Early Childhood Specialisation ONLY.
Notice: Term 4 is available for the Early Childhood Specialisation ONLY. All intakes at SCU Ventures are for the Early Childhood Specialisation ONLY
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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Credit Transfer
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