Secondary Teacher Education
Qualifications
Overview
Secondary Teacher Education offers you an exciting and rewarding career teaching and creating a positive impact on the youth of Aotearoa, in particular subjects of your choosing.
To complete this subject, you will need to already have an Aotearoa New Zealand bachelor’s degree.
Qualify for registration as a secondary school teacher with three postgraduate degree programmes offered at UC.
Entry requirements
A relevant degree is required to study the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, the Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, or Master of Teaching and Learning. Overseas degrees will need to be assessed as equivalent to an Aotearoa New Zealand degree by the University. See each qualification page for detailed entry criteria.
How to apply
Selection for entry is based on academic ability, involvement and interest in working with children and young people, community involvement, communication skills, and other personal qualities.
As places are limited, we strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible (applications normally open on 1 August). Applications are due four weeks prior to the commencement of the programme or when places are filled.
See the Guide to Applying for further information and details on how to apply.
UC offers the following qualifications specialising in Secondary Teacher Education:
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- Master of Teaching and Learning
Secondary Teacher Education is made up of courses in the following areas of study:
- Professional Studies where you learn about the secondary school student and hone presentation skills, lesson planning, classroom management, questioning skills, learning theories, and teaching strategies.
- Education Studies provides opportunities for students to explore issues surrounding the history, sociology, philosophy, politics, cultural contexts, and psychology of education. It also considers strategies for using ICT in education and e-learning.
- Teaching Practice is the school-based requirement of the programme and provides the placement contexts in which students develop skills and gain experience in practical situations.
- All Teaching Studies courses focus on the essential learning areas of the Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum including curriculum statements, examination prescriptions, unit and achievement standards, teaching and management approaches, assessment practices, and curriculum resources.
Secondary Teacher Education – major subjects
For the Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning and Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, you can choose up to two teaching subjects from the Teaching Studies list below. Previous degree studies, preferably to 300-level, is required for your main teaching subject. For your secondary teaching subject, study to 200-level is preferable.
- Art
- Biology with Science
- Chemistry with Science
- Classical Studies with Social Studies
- Economics with Social Studies
- English
- Geography with Social Studies
- Health
- History with Social Studies
- International Languages
- Mathematics
- Music
- Outdoor and Environmental Education
- Performing Arts
- Physical Education
- Physics with Science
- Te Reo Māori
- Technology
The Master of Teaching and Learning requires one teaching subject from the list below. Degree studies, preferably to 300-level, is required for your teaching subject.
- English
- Mathematics
- Music
- Science with Biology
- Science with Chemistry
- Science with Physics
- Social Studies with Classical Studies
- Social Studies with Geography
- Social Studies with History
- Te Reo Māori
After completing one of our programmes, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a secondary school teacher and can apply for teaching positions in Aotearoa New Zealand schools and in many countries around the world.
A teaching degree also prepares you for roles in school leadership, business management, and services that involve training and working with youth and other people.
Some career pathways could include:
- Secondary teaching
- Public sector
- Human services
- Industry training.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Secondary Teacher Education.
Contact us
Te Kura Whakangungu Kaiako | School of Teacher Education
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email education@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 5, Rehua building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Ako | Faculty of Education
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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