What is the difference between the Master of Teaching (Secondary) and the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship?

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) and the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship follow the same curriculum, scope and sequence. They do differ, however, in terms of the way in which professional experience is structured.

The Master of Teaching (Secondary) is an initial teaching training course designed to prepare students (Teacher Candidates) to teach at a Secondary level (ages 12–18). While the course includes placements within schools from the first semester of study, these are concentrated placements at different schools, rather than an ongoing internship at one school. During these placements, Teacher Candidates are directly supervised in the classroom by a qualified teacher. Teacher Candidates can choose between the full-time study mode of two years, accelerated mode of 18-months and extended mode of three years.

In contrast, the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship is an initial teacher training course where students (Interns) undertake an internship at a single school for the duration of the course. Interns are employed with a full-time paraprofessional salary in a school accompanied by a maximum 0.8 full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and a paid 0.2 FTE time release to complete their studies alongside their practical experience in two years. Interns are responsible for their own classes and teach without the direct supervision of a qualified teacher. Admission into the course is conditional on employment in a school as an Intern and Permission to Teach (Internship) (PTT) registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

While completion of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) enables Teacher Candidates to apply for provisional registration with the VIT, graduates from the Master of Teaching (Secondary) Internship can apply for full registration with the VIT upon completing the course.