The Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) is a 10-month, full-time programme with 35 weeks based in the classroom. This valuable experience will develop your skills and enable you to see how theory and practice are interlinked in your development as a teacher.

Your classroom experience is undertaken primarily in your host school where for 22 weeks you will spend the equivalent of two days a week alongside a mentor teacher in a classroom context. Teaching will be fully online in 2025, although on-campus attendance is compulsory for the Ngā Mihi and Wānanga periods.

In addition, you will have 13 weeks of fulltime practice experience, including four weeks in a different school. Your fulltime practice experience in your host school includes eight weeks in the second half of the year to widen and deepen your teaching experience.

The Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) is focused on The New Zealand Curriculum. You will learn the principles and theories of teaching and learning to support learners of all backgrounds and abilities.

Successful graduates will be able to teach in secondary, middle, and intermediate schools throughout New Zealand, and be eligible for provisional teacher certification with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

You can expect to spend 40 to 50 hours studying each week.

Courses are taught over three trimesters, between February and November.

The programme is primarily based online. Classes are online, while your Professional Practive placements and the Ngā Mihi and Wānanga periods require in-person attendance. All students will be supported by a professional learning community and an academic mentor.

To enrol in the Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) you will need to have one subject aligned to the secondary school curriculum in your undergraduate degree as a major subject studied to 300 or postgraduate level.

You may be able to do the Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary) with two curriculum-aligned subjects. The other may be a major or a minor studied to at least 200-level.

The following curriculum areas and subjects are offered in our secondary teaching qualifications (subject availability can vary):

• English
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Social Sciences (History, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Accounting, Business Studies, Social Studies)
• Visual Art
• Music
• Performing Arts (Drama, Dance)
• Technology (Design and Visual Communication, Digital, Textiles, Materials, Food)
• Learning Languages (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Samoan, Spanish, Te Reo Māori)
• Physical Education and Health

The teaching subject areas offered in the programme are subject to the availability of teacher mentors and academic mentors. To find out more about the teaching subjects offered by the Wellington Faculty of Education, contact Tītoko—Centre for Student Success.

New Zealand teachers live the values of Te Tiriti of Waitangi and use te reo Māori in their teaching practice. During your studies you will strengthen your knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, and practice using te reo Māori in everyday situations.

You may be able to include courses in your undergraduate degree that will help prepare you for a career in teaching, such as courses in te reo Māori, New Zealand history, and statistics. You will need to have at least one subject aligned to the secondary school curriculum in your undergraduate degree as a major subject studied to 300 or postgraduate level. You can have a second subject as a major or a minor studied to at least 200-level. Read our guidance on choosing courses to do in your undergraduate degree.

There are only 30 places available on this programme each year. Read about the application process to find out more.

With the Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary), you can apply for provisional teacher registration from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. You’ll also be able to apply for teaching positions in New Zealand and overseas.

If your previous academic qualification is from another country, you may need to have it assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority after you complete the MTchLrn(Secondary). This review might be needed to help decide your salary.