Program Overview

Master of Teaching (Primary Education)

The Master of Teaching (Primary Education) is a postgraduate degree that prepares students for a rewarding career as primary school teachers. This course is designed to provide students with the practical experience and theoretical knowledge necessary to teach in all areas of the primary curriculum.

Overview

The Master of Teaching (Primary Education) is a two-year degree that includes scope to pursue specialist studies in literacy, numeracy, and science. Students will gain significant professional experience through supervised teaching practice in a primary school, as well as engagement with the latest educational theory, practice, and technology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Implement educational innovation and professional learning in a workplace, and be able to draw on a range of connections within professional and academic communities;
2. Critically analyse the changing nature of society (technological, economic, environmental, and cultural) and the implications for primary education;
3. Understand, design, and implement effective assessment practices for primary school teaching;
4. Implement and justify a range of approaches for the education of children, enabling the development of personal teaching practices which are suitable for teaching within primary education in the 21st century; in economically and culturally diverse communities;
5. Investigate and present patterns of cultural and political relations in which primary education services are located, with particular reference to primary education in economically and culturally diverse communities;
6. Exhibit an understanding of and commitment to ethical action, social responsibility, and sustainability, with the commitment to an ongoing process of improvement that is in their own interests, those of young people in primary education, and the communities in which they teach;
7. Design, formulate, and elucidate educational inquiry/research which can be applied by teachers to inform, evaluate, and improve their teaching practice;
8. Exhibit knowledge and skills in educational leadership applicable for beginning teachers.

Experience Workplace Learning

Students will gain extensive professional experience, supervised by experienced teachers and supported to take on increasing responsibility. Additional professional experience opportunities include teaching in rural/remote areas, international placements, and partnerships with local sports or arts organisations.

Course Structure

To attain the Master of Teaching (Primary Education), students will be required to complete 192 credit points in total, consisting of:

• 168 credit points of Core studies;
• 24 credit points of Capstone Studies. Students must successfully complete 65 practicum days in a primary school and pass the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) to be eligible to graduate.

Units

The course structure includes the following units:

• Year 1:
  • Curriculum and Multi-modal Learning (EED5102, 12 credits)
  • Approaches to Teaching and Learning (EED7002, 12 credits)
  • Language and Literacy in the Primary Years 1 (ETP5001, 12 credits)
  • Teaching and Learning Primary Mathematics 1 (ETP5003, 12 credits)
  • Primary Health and Physical Education (ETP5005, 12 credits)
  • Humanities in Primary Education (ETP5006, 12 credits)
  • Science in Primary Education (ETP5007, 12 credits)
  • The Arts and Design in Primary Education (ETP5008, 12 credits)
• Year 2:
  • Indigenous Perspectives in Learning and Teaching (AEK7001, 12 credits)
  • Research Methods in Education (EED7001, 12 credits)
  • Primary Specialisation Capstone (EED7005, 24 credits)
  • Engaging with the Profession (EED7004, 24 credits)
  • Language and Literacy in the Primary Years 2 (ETP5002, 12 credits)
  • Teaching and Learning Primary Mathematics 2 (ETP5004, 12 credits)

Entry Requirements

To be considered for postgraduate study, students will need to have specific academic qualifications, including completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent). Applicants will also be asked to complete an assessment of their non-academic attributes. International students may be required to complete IELTS (or equivalent) with an overall score of 7.0.

Fees and Scholarships

The tuition fee for full-time international students is AU$16,900 per semester. Victoria University offers various scholarships, including the VU Block Model International Scholarship, which provides up to 30% off tuition fees for the entire first year of study.

Careers

The Master of Teaching (Primary Education) will prepare students for a rewarding career as primary school teachers. Graduates will be eligible to apply for primary school teacher positions and may also pursue careers in education-related industries, such as special education teachers, educational publishing editors or writers, museum or gallery educators, tutors, and education supply liaison officers.