Master of Primary Teaching

School of Education

The Master of Primary Teaching offers entry to the teaching profession – influencing the lives of primary school children – to those who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree. Graduates take up positions in State, Catholic and independent schools across Australia, and are very highly regarded internationally. The University of Notre Dame Australia includes more professional experience in its teacher education programs and has a focus on pastoral care and personal connections among students and staff.

• Why study this degree

  Open to anyone with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university that includes a breadth of topics, this Master’s program consists of 16 courses covering the characteristics of students and how they learn, how to teach and assess learning and 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 professional experience placements in schools during each year.

  This program prepares all graduates to demonstrate the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate level. Courses focus on the Key Learning Areas (school subjects) taught in primary schools with a focus on literacy and numeracy, as well as on other facets of teaching including cultural sensitivity and understanding, classroom management and brain-based learning approaches. It includes 16 weeks of professional experience in classrooms.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • EDUC6082 Teaching Number and Algebra
  • EDUC6084 English: Writing, Representing and Speaking
  • EDUC6085 Creating Positive Learning Environments
  • EDUC6086 Enriching Inclusive Education
  • EDUC6087 (Fremantle) EDUC6088 (Sydney) Professional Experience 1 – Primary
  • EDUC6031 Primary Arts Education
  • EDUC6089 Social Sciences Pedagogy (HASS/HSIE)
  • EDUC6090 English: Reading, Viewing and Listening
  • EDUC6091 Health and Physical Education

  Summer Term

  • EDUC6092 Transforming Learning through ICT
    Or
  • Religious Education Elective

  Year Two

  • EDUC6093 Reading in the Early Years
  • EDUC6019 Science & Technology Education
  • EDUC6094 Teaching Measurement and Statistics
  • EDUC6078 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students: Culturally Responsive Connections
  • Core Elective
  • EDUC6095 (Fremantle) EDUC6096 (Sydney) Professional Engagement & Internship

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

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission. The requirements for admission are detailed in the University’s Policy: Admission and Credit.

  Specific Program Requirements for Admission

  To be eligible for admission to the Master of Primary Teaching applicants must also meet the following specific requirements.

  • This award is only available to those who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised Higher Education Provider.
  • Applicants who have not successfully completed their Primary education in an English- speaking country will be required to sit the IELTS Academic Test and achieve a minimum overall score of 7.5 in IELTS Academic, with no score lower than 8.0 in speaking and listening, and no score lower than 7.0 in reading and writing.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of 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 in the physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and cultural domains that will enable accurate and useful planning, programming, and assessment of learning and for learning;
  5. Demonstrate and critically reflect upon the importance of the appropriate cultural sensitivities necessary to teach primary Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students in ways that recognise, respect and respond to their unique stories, cultures, practices and ways of knowing, being and seeing;
  6. Demonstrate and understand the importance of the knowledge and skills to engage 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;
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of, and critically reflect on, the importance of continual professional development in both formal and informal settings in collaboration with colleagues inside and outside the school, to build collective teacher efficacy;
  8. Integrate and evaluate contemporary information and communication technologies to enhance learning; and
  9. Analyse and understand the importance of professional values and ethical standards that demonstrate a commitment to secure socially just and sustainable futures for learners.

• Practical component

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

  • EDUC6087 (Fremantle) EDUC6088 (Sydney) Professional Experience 1
  • EDUC6095 (Fremantle) EDUC6096 (Sydney) Professional Engagement & Internship

  To be able to undertake Professional Experience students will require documentation and checks depending on their state.

  WA students will require a current Working with Children Check and a National Police Clearance Check within six (months) of expiry.

  NSW students will require Anaphylaxis E-training, Child Protection Awareness, DoE Consent, Mandatory Child Protection, Pre-service teacher acknowledgement and a Working with Children Check.

  All students will be required to attempt the national Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in their first year. Prior to being eligible for the final internship/ professional placement in the program all students must successfully demonstrate the required minimum level of personal literacy and numeracy through meeting the standard on LANTITE.

• Career opportunities

  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 Primary Teaching has been accredited by the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia which qualifies graduates for registration/accreditation as a teacher in any Australian state or territory.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

• Fees and costs

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

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian 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, which is 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. 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.

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

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

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

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session.

  Phone: 1800 878 916
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007