Secondary teaching specialist areas and prerequisites
Students wishing to apply for the Master of Teaching degree with a secondary specialism must first determine which specialist area(s) they may be academically qualified to teach - see the table below. Students should refer to the Specialist Area Guidelines on the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) website for more information.
Teaching specialist areas and prerequisites
| Teaching specialist area | Minimum academic background required by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), i.e. a degree including: |
|---|---|
Accounting | A minor sequence in accounting |
Biology | A minor sequence in biological sciences (e.g. anatomy, physiology, microbiology, botany, zoology, but not biochemistry or pharmacology) |
Business Management | A minor sequence in business management |
Chemistry | A minor sequence in chemistry or biochemistry |
Drama | A minor sequence in Drama, Performance Studies or Theatre Studies including practical drama |
Economics | A minor sequence in economics |
English as an Additional Language (EAL) | A minor sequence in linguistics or a second language (i.e. not the teacher's first language) |
English | (a) A minor sequence in Literature or Literary Studies |
General science | A minor sequence in one of biology, chemistry, Earth science/geology, Environmental Science and physics |
Geography | A minor sequence in geography |
Health | A minor sequence in health studies covering Health, Human Development, Family and Nutrition |
History | A minor sequence in history |
Information and Communication Technology | A minor sequence in computer studies or information technology |
Languages | A major study in a Language Note: Native speakers of a language may seek a statement of equivalence from an Australian university. This will deem that knowledge and competence in the native language meets the major level study standards required. Limited places are available for the LOTE (Chinese) teaching method. |
Legal Studies | A minor sequence in Legal Studies or Criminology |
Mathematics | A minor sequence in mathematics. (Statistics is acceptable provided it is taken within a Mathematics Department) |
Media Studies | A minor sequence in media studies, film or journalism |
Music (Single and Double discipline) | A major sequence in music and appropriate practical skills (equivalent to AMEB Grade VI or Year 12 Practical Music) |
Outdoor Education | A major sequence in outdoor education including environmental studies and outdoor recreational activities. |
Physical Education | A major sequence in physical education including appropriate discipline and skill areas. |
Physics | A minor sequence in physics |
Social Education | A minor study in one of the following areas: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Indigenous Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology |
Visual Arts (Single and Double discipline) | A major study in relevant area(s) of Art which includes at least one quarter of a year of practical Art content. (e.g. Art, Craft, Computer-generated Art, Sculpture, Photography) |
Legend of the terms:
- Part: Successful tertiary study in a subject having the weighting of at least one quarter of a year of full-time study in the course from which it is derived.
- Minor: A total of half a year of successful full-time tertiary study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over two years, e.g. a part in each of the first and second years of tertiary study, or equivalent study.
- Major: A total of three-quarters of a year of successful full-time tertiary study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years, e.g. a part in each of the first, second and third years of tertiary study, or equivalent study.