Flexible study
Flexible study
What does flexible study mean for me?
Studying at Swinburne Online gives you the freedom to study how it suits you. Decide when and where it fits in with your life and tailor your study journey to your own needs. Get a world-class degree without giving up what’s important.
Flexible study at Swinburne Online
Personalised study journey
Set a study pace that work with what’s going on in your life. If you’re unsure about how much you can commit to, we can offer part-time options and the option of increasing your unit load as your progress. Interested in fast-tracking your studies? You also have the opportunity to complete up to 12 units per year.
Fit study around your life
You don’t have to put your life on hold to study. Prioritise what matters to you and fit study around family, work and personal commitments through a course that is flexibly designed for online learners.
Multiple intakes
Start when it suits. Swinburne Online offers multiple intake dates and flexible unit availability, so you can choose when you begin your studies or if you need to take a break.
7-day support
Flexible study requires flexible support. As a Swinburne Online student, you’ll have support for extended hours, seven days a week, with Student Advisors available to help with anything from tech support to research advice and dedicated online tutors in each of your units.
Structure
Structure
Your course structure
The Master of Teaching (Secondary) consists of 200 credit points of study. Your coursework will comprise of 13 theory units, one credited placement and two not-for-credit placements.
Your two not-for-credit placements are embedded into specific theory units, which will set you on a strong path to put theory into practice as you develop your teaching skills.
Your units are led by experienced education professionals with recent or current teaching experience and focus on arming you with the practical skills you can take straight into the classroom. You will also undertake supervised practicum units that give you the opportunity to work and learn in an Australian school.
Why study a degree in education with Swinburne Online? Our courses are at the forefront of industry and provide you with the practical skills to success come graduation. View all units in this bachelor’s degree.
View All UnitsSpecialist teaching areas
Specialist teaching areas
To undertake the Master of Teaching (Secondary) you are required to qualify for two specialist teaching areas, with at least one being a major teaching area.
Major teaching area
A major will be equivalent to three-quarters of a year of prior full-time study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years. In most programs, this equates to six units, with no more than two at first-year level and no fewer than two at third-year level.
Minor teaching area
A minor will be equivalent to half a year of prior full-time study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. In most programs, this equates to four units, with no more than two at first-year level.
Select each tab below to see the full list of specialist teaching areas offered at Swinburne Online.
Humanities and social sciences
- Geography
- History
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Religion and Society
- Sociology
Mathematics, science and movement
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Food Studies
- Health and Human Development
- Mathematics
- Physical Education (must be a major)
- Physics
- Psychology
- Science
Technologies and the world of work
- Accounting
- Applied Computing
- Business Management
- Economics
- Industry and Enterprise
- Legal Studies
- Design and Technologies
- Digital Technologies
- Product Design and Technology
- Systems Engineering
Performing and visual arts
- Dance
- Drama
- Media
- Music (must be a major)
- Theatre Studies
- Visual Art (must be a major)
- Visual Communication Design
English and languages
- English
- Languages (must be a major)
- Literature
Flexible placements
Flexible placements
Placements are flexible
Professional experience, or placements in secondary school settings, form part of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) course. Placements are a key part of your education course and are a requirement for teacher registration.
Swinburne Online offers pre-service teachers the unique opportunity to engage in a flexible placement model during each Quarter. This means pre-service teachers are able to choose dates within each Quarter to complete the required number of days specified for each Professional Experience. This flexible model supports Swinburne Online pre-service teachers to organise placements around their work or family commitments.
During this time, all Swinburne Online pre-service teachers are also enrolled in a professional experience or placement unit and are supported by eLearning Advisors (eLAs), who are also teachers themselves. They are passionate professionals with years of industry experience, specially trained for teaching online students. They will help to guide pre-service teachers through their unit content and are on-hand to help with any placement related questions.
How you'll learn
How you'll learn
Learning designed for online
Your study journey with Swinburne Online is tailored to the digital space. You’ll study in a dynamic virtual classroom environment, interact with your peers in the custom-built social platform, and receive support at the times you need it from advisors who understand studying online.
Online classroom
You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.
Online campus
The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.
Tailored support
Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with anything from technical support to referencing and assignment tips.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Applicants require a bachelor degree or equivalent qualification that includes at least a major study in one approved secondary teaching area (equivalent to one-year full time equivalent study) and a minor in at least one other recognised teaching area (equivalent to half a year of full-time study). Both undergraduate and postgraduate prior study can be considered in your teaching area(s) method(s) assessment. For approved teaching areas, please visit the Victorian VCE study design and ACARA subject areas.
Students will also require a valid Working with Children Check from the appropriate state authority. A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement. For a list of each state’s requirements, see the careforkids website.
CASPer suitability tool
From 2018, under the new AITSL and government Initial Teacher Education (ITE) requirements, all students applying to ITE courses across Australia will need meet suitability for teaching (non-academic selection) criteria as a part of course entry criteria.
If you’re looking to apply for our Master of Teaching (Secondary) course, you will need to complete the CASPer suitability tool.
Get in touch with a Course Consultant to find out more information.
Additional requirements
Admission to this course will consider both academic and non-academic results. All applicants must sit a selection assessment for non-academic personal and professional attributes.
Applicants applying to transfer from an initial teacher education course from another Provider must disclose all LANTITE (National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students) attempts.
Applicants who have unsuccessfully attempted the LANTITE three or more times will not be eligible to receive an offer.
English Language Literacy
Evidence of English language proficiency is not required if the applicant has completed a bachelor degree in English in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland.
For bachelor degrees completed in other countries, the following criteria applies:
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 7.0 with no individual band below 7.0 and a score of no less than 7.5 in speaking and listening; or
Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 75% and all skills 70% or above
TOEFL iBT: minimum score 95 (Reading no less than 20, Writing no less than 22)
Or equivalent measures available at the Swinburne English Language Requirements page.
The date of the assessment must be no more than two years prior to the time of application for registration.
Fees
Fees
The estimated annual fee for this course is $23,760*. This is based on completing eight 12.5 credit point units in one calendar year.
Commonwealth provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.
Discover more information about HELP loans.
Course fees will be affected by a student’s unit selection and any credit awarded in recognition of previous academic experience.
This course not available to international students.
Domestic students also contribute to student services and amenities via an annual fee.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. You may be eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Prepare students for a technological future
Our education graduates work in a range of rewarding roles and industries. The Master of Teaching (Secondary) prioritises practical theory and experience inside a real classroom so that you can graduate with your foot already in the door. You will:
- Undertake practicum units that place you inside an Australian classroom
- Learn about new technologies influencing future classrooms and teaching practices
- Learn from real educational professionals.
Secondary School Teacher
Teach young learners in a high school classroom as they explore discipline areas within their education, and begin to form an understanding of their future direction in life.
Curriculum Designer
Help guide curriculum development, taking into account the changing needs of the Australian workforce, and the changing skills young Australians will need to succeed in the job market and navigate the modern world.
Learning Designer
Develop integrated online course content for secondary school students, ensuring content is accessible and pedagogically sound.
