Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

This combined degree builds subject knowledge through a Bachelor of Arts component and professional education skills through the Master of Teaching (Secondary). In the arts undergraduate portion you choose one or two majors from disciplines such as English, History, Geography, Languages, Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Media Studies, Philosophy, Sociology and Anthropology. Core arts units emphasise research skills, critical thinking, subject pedagogy and curriculum knowledge.

The Master of Teaching component covers curriculum design, assessment and reporting, adolescent learning and development, inclusive and special needs education, behaviour management, classroom practice, digital pedagogy and professional ethics. A major feature is supervised school-based professional experience: multiple practicum placements across different secondary settings that progressively increase in duration and responsibility and expose students to curriculum development, classroom management and assessment in real schools.

Typical modules and topics include:

• Subject studies: advanced topics and methods in your chosen arts major(s) (for example literary analysis for English, historiography for History, studio practice for Visual Arts).
• Teaching and learning: adolescent development, curriculum and assessment, inclusive pedagogy, classroom management.
• Professional practice: sequential supervised teaching placements, lesson planning, professional communication with parents and school communities.
• Specialist electives: TESOL, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, digital technologies in teaching, differentiation strategies.

The program also includes coursework on professional standards and teacher registration requirements to prepare graduates for accreditation with state and territory teacher registration authorities.

Entry requirements

Entry is typically via undergraduate admission into the Bachelor of Arts followed by progression into the Master of Teaching (Secondary), or through an admissions pathway for applicants holding prior tertiary study. Applicants are expected to meet academic entry standards equivalent to a completed secondary qualification or recognised university study for undergraduate entry, or a completed bachelor degree for alternative entry pathways. Selection may consider academic results, personal statements and references.

All candidates must satisfy professional suitability requirements for school placement, which commonly include a criminal history check, working-with-children check and evidence of immunisations. Some campuses or specialisations may require literacy and numeracy checks or interviews as part of the selection process. International applicants must meet English language requirements set by the university and the relevant teacher registration authority.

Career prospects

Graduates are qualified to teach in secondary schools and are eligible to seek teacher registration through state and territory authorities in Australia. Common career destinations include:

• Secondary classroom teacher in public, independent or Catholic schools.
• Middle or senior secondary subject coordinator and curriculum leader.
• Specialist roles such as literacy coordinator, English/Languages/Arts teacher leader, or TESOL practitioner.
• Education policy officer, curriculum developer, learning designer, or educational consultant.
• Pathways to further study and research in education, curriculum studies or leadership qualifications.

Why study at Australian Catholic University

ACU is known for its long-standing focus on teacher education and strong links with Catholic, independent and public schools, which support high-quality practicum placements. The university emphasises values-based professional formation, inclusive practice and working with diverse communities, including Indigenous perspectives. Students benefit from dedicated education facilities, experienced academic staff who are active in research and school partnerships, and comprehensive student support services for academic advising, wellbeing and placement coordination.

Graduates leave with both disciplinary depth in the arts and the professional pedagogical skills required for contemporary secondary classrooms, backed by practical experience gained through supervised school placements.