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Master of Teaching (Primary)

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a pre-service teacher education course which requires two years of study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

A languages stream is available for qualified students who wish to teach a language(s) in Primary schools (see stream coordinator).

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an appropriate undergraduate degree or approved equivalent.

Applicants must complete a non-academic capabilities assessment task that is based on the Australian Institute for Teaching and school Leadership Initial Teacher Education standards.

Limited credit may be granted for topics taken at the University or other institutions. 

Course aims

The Master of Teaching (Primary) aims to qualify graduates who apply a specialised body of content and pedagogical knowledge, skills and dispositions to:

  • plan, implement and advocate transformative teaching and learning in the primary years
  • enact policies and practices that take account of social and individual difference, ensuring that all children learn in safe and supportive, environments
  • work independently and collaboratively with children, colleagues and communities to construct and assess inclusive and intellectually challenging curriculum in the primary years
  • engage in critical reflection and continuing professional learning through a variety of pathways including research-based projects

Learning outcomes

On completion of the Master of Teaching (Primary) graduates will be able to:

  • synthesise in-depth, current knowledge and an integrated understanding of the theories, content and processes of learning and teaching in the primary years
  • articulate advanced knowledge and reflexivity regarding children’s development and individual and social differences, including for Indigenous Australians
  • apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills and dispositions to create and maintain mutually respectful and safe/socially just learning environments in the primary years
  • communicate respectfully with students, colleagues, parents and communities to enhance professional practice and student learning in primary schools
  • apply the cognitive, technical and creative skills to construct and assess inclusive and intellectually challenging curriculum in the primary years
  • demonstrate and apply sound knowledge of research principles and methods to complete a research based project in primary education
  • commit to ongoing professional learning to do with new discourses, debates and issues in education as they arise in the primary years
  • demonstrate dispositions towards relational and transformative education and a strong sense of themselves as agents, advocates and leading professionals in the primary years.

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Teaching (Primary), a student must:

  • complete 72 units of postgraduate education studies as set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic; and
  • meet the required benchmark in the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the final professional experience topic. Students must normally meet the benchmark within two attempts. Further attempts may be recommended by the Dean (Education) under exceptional circumstances.

Except with the permission of the Dean (Education): 

  • no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice
  • teaching practicum topics may not be attempted more than once
  • students must undertake the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to undertaking the final professional experience topic.

Students should note that teaching practicum topics require full-time commitment for their duration. 

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

 EDUC9120  Introduction to Teaching and Research in the Education Profession (4.5 units)
 EDUC9121  Researching Learners and Learning (Primary)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9125  English Curriculum Studies 1: Literacy in Changing Educational Contexts  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9131  Professional Experience: An Introduction (Primary R-7) (0 units)
 EDUC9135  Teaching in and through the Expressive Arts: Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music and Visual Arts (4.5 units)
 EDUC9221  Mathematics Curriculum Studies in Context  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9228  Thinking and Working Scientifically Using Design Technologies in the Primary Years (4.5 units)
 EDUC9232  Professional Experience 1 (Primary R-7)  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9406  Differentiation and Inclusive Educational Practices (4.5 units)

*Language specialist teachers replace EDUC9232 with EDUC9234 Professional Experience 1 and Languages Pedagogy (Primary R-7). The Professional Experience component of EDUC9232 will be accommodated in EDUC9234.

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

 EDUC9220  Relationships for Learning and Teaching  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9309  Health and Physical Education (Primary Years) Curriculum Studies (4.5 units)
 EDUC9310  English Curriculum Studies 2 GE (4.5 units)**
 EDUC9311  Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Primary R-7 GE (4.5 units)
 EDUC9312  Professional Experience 2: Assessment for Registration (Primary R-7) (4.5 units)
 EDUC9400  Teaching Indigenous Australian Students GE  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9401  Teacher as Researcher  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9404  Numeracy and ICT  (4.5 units)

**Language specialist teachers replace EDUC9310 with EDUC9313 Languages, Literacy and Intercultural Understanding (Primary R-7) (4.5 units)

Every effort has been made to ensure the information published on the Course Rule pages is accurate at the time of publication. Flinders University reserves the right to amend its curriculum without prior notice, and will update the Course Rules to reflect any amendments at the earliest opportunity.

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