Master of Teaching (Primary Education)

School of Education

If you are passionate about teaching children in a primary school setting and have a relevant Bachelor’s degree from any university, The Master of Teaching (Primary Education) at The University of Notre Dame Australia could be the course you seek. You can transition into teaching in two years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Our postgraduate Master’s qualification includes 14 - 20 weeks of practical teaching in an education setting to provide you with essential classroom experience. Contact us today to find out if your subject area qualifies you to join.

• Why study this degree

  Are you looking for a demanding postgraduate degree that is highly regarded in the world of education? The Master of Teaching (Primary) fits the bill perfectly as it not only covers a wide range of academic subjects, but also provides students with 20 weeks of classroom experience. On graduation you are accredited to teach in Catholic, Government and Independent primary schools in WA.

  Open to anyone with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, this Master’s program consists of 24 courses covering subjects such as drama, science, dance, visual arts, English, mathematics and physical education, plus specialist instruction in religious education, working with Indigenous students and classroom management. You are also expected to undertake 10 weeks of classroom based practicum during each year, in addition to a Core Curriculum course in Theology or Ethics.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • Planning and Pedagogy
  • English: Reading & Viewing
  • Transforming Learning Through ICT
  • Mathematics: Number & Algebra
  • Professional Experience 1 Primary
  • Teaching Method 1
  • Principles of Primary Religious Education 1 OR Elective
  • Psychological Principles of Classroom Management
  • Research Methods in Education
  • Catering for Students with Special Needs
  • Sacraments in Catholic Tradition
  • Primary Science
  • Health & Physical Education

  Year Two

  • Advanced Teaching Skills
  • Drama, Dance and Visual Arts
  • English: Writing and Spelling
  • Mathematics 3: Measurement and Geometry
  • Principles of Primary Religious Education 2 OR General Elective
  • Humanities and Social Sciences 1
  • Professional Experience 2 Master of Teaching Primary
  • Working with Indigenous Students
  • The Professional & Legal Responsibilities of Teachers
  • Religious Studies in Australian Schools OR Sustainability: Systems, World Views and Futures

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

• Entry requirements

  Academic requirements for admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary) are:

  • This award is only available to those who hold a recognised Bachelor Degree.
  • Education students who have English as an Additional language and are admitted on the basis of an International Language Testing System (IELTS) assessment, or an equivalent English language proficiency assessment, are only admitted if they have attained an overall IELTS (or equivalent) score of 8.0 (with no score below 7.0 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 8.0 in speaking and listening).

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Master of Teaching (Primary Education) graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge within the curriculum as prescribed through curricular, policy and accreditation bodies
  2. Research and apply established theories for planning and implementing teaching and learning engagements for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities based on sound understandings of pedagogy that draw on such research and theory
  3. Synthesise learning gained from applying on-campus studies of research-based theory in multiple, varied and extended Professional Experience opportunities with accomplished teachers in a mentoring context within classrooms and schools
  4. Apply an advanced and integrated understanding of child development for the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and cultural domains that will enable accurate and useful planning, programming, and assessment of learning and for learning
  5. Utilise skills for engaging appropriately and effectively with parents and caregivers, as well as stakeholder professionals and external organisations, through the acquisition of a wide and varied repertoire of assessment, evaluation, reporting and communication strategies
  6. Transmit established dispositions of critical reflection for:
     1. The continual improvement of teaching
     2. Commitment to ongoing learning to maintain and improve knowledge and skills
     3. Effective collaboration to engage with professional colleagues within and beyond the school
     4. Mindfulness of all aspects of children’s achievement and wellbeing within schools and school systems; and
  7. Demonstrate research capacity by planning and executing a research-based project.

• Practicum

  As a student studying the Master of Teaching (Primary Education) you are required to complete a minimum of 20 weeks of practicum that is comprised of:

  • EDUC5370 Professional Experience 1 Master of Teaching Primary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)
  • EDUC5389 Professional Experience 2 Master of Teaching Primary (10 continuous weeks in duration – 400 hrs)

  Students are required to provide relevant clearance documents as directed by the School of Education

• Career opportunities

  With a Master of Teaching (Primary Education), you can teach primary students in Australian Catholic, Independent and Government schools. Career opportunities within the education system include Lead teacher, faculty or year group coordinator, principal, and assistant principal.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders, and through our practicum placements, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Master of Teaching (Primary Education) is accredited by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) via its agency the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  
  

  CSP
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  • The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
  • The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  
  

  HECS-HELP
  The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  
  

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?

  Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session. Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process. Book my session.

  
  

  For more information, please call our Prospective Students Office on +61 8 9433 0533 or email future@nd.edu.au.

  
  

  All international enquiries should contact the International Students Office on international@nd.edu.au.