Master of Teaching (Primary Education)

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.

You will gain extensive professional experience, supervised by experienced teachers and supported to take on increasing responsibility. We also offer a range of additional professional experience opportunities, including:

• teaching in rural/remote areas
• international placements
• partnerships with local sports or arts organisations.

This course structure is guided by the integration of three groups of practice:

• epistemologies of practice: experiences and processes of learning through social acts
• pedagogies of practice: learning environments that enable inquiry and action
• methodologies of practice: investigations of meaning and understanding that unites mind, material and process.

Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.

Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.

You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.

Learn more about the VU Block Model®

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent). Applicants will also be asked to complete an assessment of their non-academic attributes. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from countries other than Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland will be required to complete IELTS (or equivalent): Overall 7.0 with Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5.

Additional information

Applicants will be assessed on academic performance. Prior to entry into the second year of full time study, students in this course will have to sit the LANTITE test in order to demonstrate that their literacy and numeracy skills are within that expected of the top 30% of the population in Australia. The LANTITE test is a national government requirement for initial teacher education programs. Students should note that they will be subject to a Working With Children Check before practice placements, in accordance with Department of Education and Training policy. Satisfactory achievement of the benchmark for literacy and numeracy is a requirement to graduate from the program. This course is professionally accredited. Applications for credit can only be made on the basis of formal learning that is considered to be equivalent in a professionally accredited course at another institution.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs