Teaching Areas Overview

We currently offer 23 specialist teaching areas in the School of Education.  The corresponding eligibility criteria, and whether they are offered as either a Teaching Area Major, Minor or both are outlined here.

This eligibility criteria serves only as a guide to better assist in identifying potential teaching areas. Qualifications will be assessed at the time of application, and teaching areas are assigned at the discretion of the School of Education. Offers are only made if all entry requirements into the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Program have been satisfied.

To determine the difference between a major and a minor teaching area, we have outlined the criteria below.

A major teaching area is the equivalent of three-quarters of a year of successful study; usually comprising of sequential discipline study taken over three years. Applicants must have completed 6 or more courses in their tertiary studies that align with a learning area. A maximum 2 courses at University level 1 and minimum 2 courses at University level 3.

A minor teaching area is the equivalent to one-half year of successful study; usually comprising of sequential discipline study taken over two years. Applicants must have completed 4 courses in their tertiary studies that align with a learning area. A maximum of 2 courses permitted at University level 1.

The following Teaching Area combinations are not available:

  • Accounting and Business Studies
  • Accounting and Economics
  • Economics and Business Studies

Teaching areas

  • Accounting

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Entry Requirements

    Studies in Accounting requires in depth knowledge with courses completed in, but not limited to, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Auditing, Income Tax Law, Accounting Information Systems, Accounting Theory, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Accounting Methods, Strategic Management Accounting. 

    The following Teaching Area combinations are not offered:

    • Accounting and Business Studies
    • Accounting and Economics
  • Agricultural Science

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Entry Requirements

    Tertiary studies in Agricultural Science or Animal Science that include a range of learning area knowledge, including but not limited to, Animal and Plant Production, Horticulture, Viticulture, Aquaculture, Forestry, Agriculture Systems, Food Security and Animal Science.

  • Biology

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Entry Requirements

    Completed studies in Biological Studies with discipline knowledge to have included, but not limited to, Cell Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Genetics, Microbiology and Zoology.

    A qualification in Human Movement, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Food and Nutrition Sciences do not meet the requirements for a teaching area in Biology.

  • Business Studies

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants are to have a broad understanding in various discipline areas including Accounting, Economics, International Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

    The following Teaching Area combinations are not offered:

    • Business Studies and Accounting
    • Business Studies and Economics
  • Chemistry

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    A comprehensive understanding of composition, structure and the chemical transformation of matter. Studies to include Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Sciences up to university level three or higher.

  • Digital Technologies

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    A sound understanding in digital technologies, design and programming, computational thinking is required for this learning area. Courses studied may include Design and Programming, Computational Thinking, Artificial Intelligence and Operating Systems.

  • Earth and Environmental Sciences

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Tertiary studies completed in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Geology and include a breadth of understanding. Courses that may be considered include, but not limited to, Geology, Earth Sciences, Soil Sciences, Earth Systems, Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, Fossils, Mineral and Energy Resources.

  • Economics

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    A comprehensive understanding in this learning area. Some examples of courses are as follows: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Development and Global Economy, Econometrics, International Trade and Investment Policy, Data Analytics, Economic Analysis.

    The following Teaching Area combinations are not offered:

    • Economics and Accounting
    • Economics and Business Studies
  • English

    Available as a Teaching Area Major or Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must have completed studies in English literature. Linguistics and Creative Writing courses are not counted towards this learning area.

  • English as an Additional Language

    Available as a Teaching Area Major or Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Tertiary studies completed in Linguistics. Example of learnings include, Phonology, Semantics and Translation. International applicants must be fluent in English speaking, reading and writing.

    Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) will not be accepted, nor a Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

  • Geography

    Available as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Tertiary studies in Geography with course knowledge to include, but not limited to, Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy, Environmental Management, and Geographic Information Systems.

  • History

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants must have discipline specific knowledge, whereby the individual understands different phases of history across all eras, including Ancient Civilisations, Classics, Modern History, and Post World War Challenges. Studies that include Classics and/or Ancient Civilisation may lack the breadth of different history phases and therefore may not be considered.  

  • Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

    Available only as a Teaching Area Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    This learning area requires an understanding in various Humanities disciplines to ensure a range of topics can be taught. Areas of studies should include Civic Values, Economics, Geography, History, Law and Global Politics.

  • Languages

    Available as a Teaching Area Major or Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Languages offered by the School of Education include Chinese, French, German, Modern Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

    A comprehensive understanding in the desired language, including culture, translation and linguistics is required for a major. Applicants are required to have completed the sequential courses as offered by their tertiary institution and reached advanced level of studies. For example, Chinese IA through to Chinese IIIB.

  • Legal Studies

  • Mathematics

    Available as a Teaching Area Major or Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Tertiary studies in Mathematical Sciences with a range of courses completed in this learning area, including Pure Maths, Applied Maths, and Statistics. Applicants who hold a qualification in Engineering may be considered for this teaching area providing they have completed some standalone maths courses. 

    Maths IM/ Specialist Maths will not be considered.

  • Media Studies

    Available as a Teaching Area Major or Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants are required to have a sound understanding in Media Theory and Production, some communication courses may be considered.

    Applicants who hold a tertiary qualification in Dance, Drama or Acting will not be considered for a Media Studies Teaching Area.

  • Music - Classroom

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants are required to be able to read music and have completed tertiary courses in Music Studies, which includes a range of discipline knowledge in this area. Some examples of courses include, Music Theory, Music Education and Pedagogy, Musicianship Supporting Studies, Musicology and Sonic Arts.

  • Music - Instrumental

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Applicants are required to be able to read music to be considered for this teaching area and have completed instrumental music studies up to University level III or higher.

  • Physics

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    Completed tertiary studies in Science or Engineering with a sound understanding in the Physics learning area. Courses commonly studied in this discipline include Astronomy, Astrophysics, Electromagnetism, Dynamics and Relativity, Mechanics, Optics, Photonics, Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics.

  • Psychology

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    A named tertiary qualification in Psychology is preferred. If studies are not completed in a named degree, a major in Psychology may be considered providing there is a sound understanding in this learning area, including but not limited to, Cognition, Emotion, Intelligence, Biological, Personality, Wellbeing, Social and Learning.

  • Sciences

    Available only as a Teaching Area Minor

    Eligibility Criteria

    Science tertiary studies must include a broad range of knowledge in various Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geology) disciplines. These studies must not all be completed at University level I.

  • Scientific Studies (STEM)

    Available only as a Teaching Area Major

    Eligibility Criteria

    To be considered for STEM, studies completed in the following disciplines are required: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Applicants are required to have a sound understanding in Science and Engineering processes, understanding concepts and models.