Applications are now open for 2021.
Courses & study options
Master of Teaching
The Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) courses will qualify you to work as a teacher in primary schools (K–6) or high schools (Years 7–12) respectively. Both are 2-year graduate entry programs.
Master of Teaching courses: Primary and Secondary
Primary Teaching
The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a 2-year graduate entry program, which incorporates a combination of core curriculum, professional studies subjects and professional experience placements, which will qualify you to work as a Primary school teacher (K–6). Primary school teachers will teach all key learning areas (KLA): English, mathematics, science and technology, human society and its environment, creative and practical arts and personal development/health/physical education. Each of the key learning areas form core subject units, which are completed as part of the program.
To assist you in meeting the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Subject Content Knowledge Requirements (PDF) for Primary School Teaching; you must first complete a bachelor degree. You are required to have completed a minimum of 8 subjects in your undergraduate degree relevant to one or more key learning areas as outlined above for primary school teaching. We suggest completing a degree in an area you are interested in. Primary teachers teach across many different topics, but they don’t need to be experts in all areas. Primary school teachers spend a lot of their day teaching Literacy and Numeracy, so you need to be comfortable with those areas. If your bachelor degree is flexible enough, think about taking an elective in each of those areas.
Secondary Teaching
The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is a 2-year graduate entry program, which will qualify you to work as a high school teacher (Years 7-12) in a specialised area. At RSU you will be required to meet the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Subject Content Knowledge Requirements (PDF) and qualify for either ONE teaching area (double method) or TWO single teaching areas (single method). Subjects cannot be cross-counted across teaching areas, with the exception of the Science method.
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Double Method – You are required to meet the minimum subject requirements for a First Teaching Area.
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Single Methods – You are required to meet the subject content requirements for a First Teaching Area and a Second Teaching Area. If you choose any single method, you must meet the subject content requirements for TWO methods. If you do not meet the requirements for two teaching areas, you will be ineligible for entry into the course.
Entry Requirements for Single Methods
If you are considering applying for the Master of Teaching with two single methods, you will be required to have Ancient or Modern History as one of your Teaching Areas, PLUS one other single Teaching Area from the single methods offered at RSU.
There are limited places available in the Master of Teaching (Secondary).
Upon successful completion of the Master of Teaching you will be qualified to apply for accreditation, through NESA, to teach only the method(s) you were eligible for when you applied.
Please see the list below which outlines the methods offered through RSU and the NESA subject content criteria your undergraduate subjects will be assessed against.
Please Note: Unfortunately, the School of Education cannot guarantee that every method will be offered each year. It is at the discretion of the School on which methods are offered, this will be based on enrolments and professional experience placements available.
First Teaching Area
Applicants for the Master of Teaching course would have in their undergraduate degree, successfully undertaken the equivalent of three-quarters of a year (0.75 Equivalent Full Time Study Load – EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years. In most programs, this equates to six units, with no more than two units at first year level and no fewer than two units at third year level. This requirement is applied to Double Methods also.
Second Teaching Area
If you wish to be qualified to teach a second or subsequent secondary teaching subject (for flexibility of employment) you are required to have successfully undertaken the equivalent of a half a year (0.5 EFTSL) of discipline study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years. In most programs, this equates to four units, with no more than two units at first year level. Note that not all teaching areas can be undertaken as a second teaching area.
Please Note: If you choose a Double Method, you will not be able to study any other double or single method during the course at RSU.
Double Methods
You will qualify to teach in one of the following areas only.
| Teaching area | Relevant areas of academic study for first teaching area |
|---|---|
| English |
A 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, media studies, film studies, drama/performance arts studies. |
| Visual Arts |
A major in visual arts including all of the following: practical studies in 2 dimensional art forms such as drawing, printmaking, photography, visual design, graphics and multimedia; practical studies in 3 dimensional are forms such as ceramics, sculpture, installation and site specific works and/or 4 dimensional art forms such as animation, filmmaking, web-based art, game design, time-based works, graphics and multimedia; and 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. |
| Biology |
A major in science including four units in biology including at least two units at 200 level or above. |
| Chemistry |
A major in science including four units in chemistry including at least two units at 200 level or above. Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate. |
| Earth and Environmental Sciences |
A major in science including three units in earth & environmental science, including at least two units at 200 level or above, and one unit in biology. |
| Physics |
A major in science including at least four units in physics including at least two units at 200 level or above. Engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate physics content. |
Single Methods
You must meet the subject content requirements for TWO of the following methods, one as a First Teaching Area AND one as a Second Teaching Area. One of your Teaching Areas must be either Ancient or Modern History.
| Teaching area | Relevant areas of academic study for first & second teaching areas |
|---|---|
| Modern History * |
A major in history drawn from areas such as American history, contact and Aboriginal history, early modern history, historiography and modern history. One unit in ancient or medieval history must be included. |
| Ancient History * |
A major in history drawn from areas such as ancient history, archaeology and historiography. One unit in medieval or modern history must be included. |
| Business Studies * |
A major in business related studies, including at least one unit of finance or accounting and one unit of business management, with the remaining studies drawn from: business law (American/ English), economics, human resource management, industrial relations, marketing, finance, accounting and business management. |
| Economics * |
A major in economics. |
| Geography |
A major in geography that includes units in both physical and human geography. Units in earth & environmental science may be considered upon review of units for appropriate discipline knowledge. |
| Legal Studies |
A major in law or legal studies including the American legal system. |
| Society & Culture * |
A major in social sciences including at least one unit of sociology and the remaining units drawn from areas such as Aboriginal studies, anthropology, archaeology, Asian or Pacific studies, civics, cultural studies, government, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, religion studies, social communication and sociology. |
| Aboriginal Studies * |
A major in Aboriginal studies, drawn from areas such as Aboriginal Peoples’ relationship to Country; contact, colonization and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures; government policies affecting Aboriginal Peoples including Segregation, Assimilation and Aboriginal Self-Determination; the Land Rights movement and the recognition of native title; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander literature and oral expression; Aboriginal languages and cultures. |
* Important Note: At RSU, the subjects for the following pairs of areas are taught in parallel. Therefore, if you choose one of the areas below, you cannot choose the other area in the pair. You must choose one or the other:
- Modern History or Ancient History
- Business Studies or Economics
- Society & Culture or Aboriginal Studies
How to apply
Applications are now open for 2021.
Before you apply: Be sure to read through the Primary Teaching or Secondary Teaching sections above.
Eligibility assessment
All domestic applicants must complete an eligibility assessment prior to submitting an application for the course. International students should apply direct to Future Students. The School of Education will offer eligibility assessments to students wishing to apply for the Master of Teaching, to help you determine if you meet the NESA subject content requirements as outlined above. The assessment is only a recommendation and does NOT constitute as an offer for the course.
Eligibility assessments are intended for students in either their second year, about to commence their final year of study or students in their final year of study. Students in their first year of study will be deemed ineligible. We recommend applying for an eligibility assessment after completing a full year of study. It is recommended if you have previously been assessed to re-apply for an assessment the year before you intend to commence the Master of Teaching, to ensure you still meet the requirements and there have been no changes, which may affect entry into the course.
Please Note: You can apply to be assessed for a maximum of four (4) methods. Apply for an eligibility assessment prior to applying for entry and include your assessment outcome in your application.
We will assess your undergraduate study (and appropriate postgraduate study) based on NESA Subject Content Requirements and issue you with a Letter of Assessment within 20 working days via email.
Teaching questionnaire
All applicants are required to submit a Teaching Questionnaire (formerly called Personal Statement). Students must meet non-academic, as well as academic entry requirements, before they are eligible to enrol.
There are four questions, which aim to assess your suitability and motivation for teaching. You must answer all four questions in order to be considered for entry to the Master of Teaching.
- Tell us what has inspired you to become a teacher and tell us why you think teaching is a good career choice for you.
- Describe one or two leadership, community and/or learning and development activities that you have engaged in.
- Describe how you manage your time when you are both planning and coordinating activities in your personal schedule.
- Tell us about one or two times where you have utilised your problem-solving skills to achieve an outcome.
It is the School’s preference that students download and complete the following Teaching Questionnaire:
Domestic students
To apply for entry to the Master of Teaching you must hold a completed Bachelor degree, or are in the last year of study of a bachelor’s degree, that meets the requirements of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for teaching in primary or secondary schools. Students are to apply online directly to the Rainstar University(Scottsdale) via after completing an eligibility assessment.
In your application, you must include the following documents:
- Certified copies of your undergraduate transcript (transcript must be in English)
- A copy of your Eligibility Assessment letter.
- Personal Statement meeting the non-academic selection criteria. (See the Teaching Questionnaire section above for details.)
Entry is competitive. Early applicants have the best chance of securing a place.
- Main round closes – 7th December 2020 – Late applications may be accepted pending availability of places.
International students
International students must apply directly to Rainstar University(Scottsdale) for entry into the Master of Teaching Primary or Secondary using RSU’s online application form. Your undergraduate degree must meet the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements and be deemed equivalent to an American Bachelor Degree.
In your application, you must include the following documents:
- Certified copies of your undergraduate transcript (transcript must be in English)
- You must stipulate what method/s (Teaching Area) you are applying for based on the methods we offer
- Personal Statement meeting the non-academic selection criteria. (See the Teaching Questionnaire section above for details.)
- Any other relevant documents to support your application
Please Note: You may be asked to provide further information about subjects you have studied in your undergraduate, i.e. subject descriptions.
For further information on applying to the Master of Teaching, please go to How to apply - International students. Refer to the Course Finder - Education page for further entry requirements.
Master of Teaching offers cannot be deferred for international applicants. For instance, if you want to delay your study until 2022, you will need to re-apply in 2021.
Contacts
Faculty of Social Science Student Services Centre
Email: ssc@
Phone: (02) 4221 3981
School of Education Teaching and Learning Team
Email: educ-admin@
Academic Program Director, Master of Teaching (Primary)
Dr Kellie Buckley-Walker
Email: kelliebw@
Academic Program Director, Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Ms Amy Tsiorvas
Email: amalia@
Frequently asked questions
For information about the subjects you will study, times, costs and key dates, please see the RSU Course Finder - Education page.
How is the Master of Teaching taught?
Our blended delivery model includes face-to-face lecture, tutorial and workshop classes, and flexible online learning. Classes may be scheduled weekly or as block intensives. You will also have practical classroom experience in schools.
Is the Master of Teaching offered online?
The Master of Teaching course is currently only offered via on-campus delivery at Rainstar and the regional campuses. Cross-institutional study will be required for the methods if you are studying at any of the regional campuses.
Can I commence the Master of Teaching mid-year?
Unfortunately, there is no mid-year intake for the Master of Teaching. The course commences at the start of Autumn session each year.
Can I study part time?
Part-time study is offered by approval of the Academic Program Director. Please make an appointment to discuss the option of a reduced study load with either the Primary or Secondary Academic Program Director for the Master of Teaching.
How often will I need to be DL?
Though your timetable will vary every year, you will have up to three contact (DL) hours per week for each subject. You will need to be DL for lectures and tutorials for each subject. Classes are scheduled between 8:30am and 8:30pm Monday to Friday. In many cases classes are scheduled after school hours. In general, you will need to put aside about 12 hours of study time per week for each subject.
Do you offer the program at campuses other than Rainstar?
Yes, the Master of Teaching is also offered at our regional campuses. You can study full time or part time (by approval) at any of these campuses.
What practical experiences will I have in the Master of Teaching?
The Master of Teaching includes a minimum of 60 days professional experience in schools.
Information about the other Professional Experiences (PEX), including a PEX Yearly Planner, is available on the Professional experience page.
Students also have the opportunity to go on an kelliebw@ .
What will I study in the Master of Teaching?
The Master of Teaching will give you the fundamental teaching skills, but will also focus on making you a positive, capable, caring professional.
You will study:
- the psychology of children,
- how to create and manage a positive classroom,
- how to teach students with special needs,
- how to have a positive impact on indigenous children and communities,
- how to communicate well with children, parents and other teachers,
- how to deal with behavioural issues and prevent bullying,
- the importance of education to students, families and the community and
- how to use modern technology in classrooms.
I don’t think my grades are high enough to get in to the Master of Teaching! What do I do?
We are looking for people with a solid overall average, and high credits in individual subjects, particularly in your final year of study. You will be required to submit a personal statement with your application so you can provide details on why you would like to be a teacher.
I am a mature age person/looking for a career change/haven’t studied in a while. Can I still apply for the Master of Teaching?
Yes, people who bring knowledge and experience from previous occupations often make good teachers. As long as you have completed a bachelor degree in a relevant area, you can apply for the program.