Master of Teaching (Primary)

Course Description

Are you enthusiastic about working with children and witnessing the moment when their hearts and minds light up with understanding? This course is specifically designed for individuals who aspire to become teachers or those seeking a career change, and already hold a degree. It offers a comprehensive and fully accredited professional teaching qualification. Accredited by TEQSA and NESA, the Master of Teaching (Primary) program provides a solid foundation in pedagogy across all Key Learning Areas (KLAs) and includes valuable practical experience.

Through independent action research conducted during your Professional Experience, you will enhance your teaching skills and make meaningful contributions to the field. In addition to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills, this program equips you with advanced knowledge in the complete range of primary school curriculum.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Advanced and integrated understanding of key issues and practices within the discipline area of primary teaching
• Knowledge of scholarship and recent developments in the KLAs pertaining to primary teaching, including where appropriate, across disciplines
• Understanding of general research principles and methods, and advanced knowledge of specific research approaches used in the discipline area of primary teaching
• Advanced and integrated understanding regarding the planning, implementation, assessment and reporting of pedagogically sound learning activities consistent with a Christian worldview and appropriate to the demands of the teaching context

Skills — Demonstrated Ability to:

• Evaluate, synthesise and critically engage the theoretical knowledge regarding the stages of development in physical, cognitive, social/emotional and spiritual growth in children and apply it to diagnosis and strategies for progression
• Analyse and synthesise various pedagogical approaches with differing ideologies and develop skills and strategies (including technologies) to enhance the quality of learning for all students, including those from marginalised communities;
• Design and execute a research project which examines a complex problem or issue using appropriate methodologies and theories from the discipline area;
• Communicate effectively complex ideas and proposed solutions to peers and general audiences in diverse contexts
• Identify and critically evaluate new developments of research and scholarship in the discipline area of primary teaching

Application of Skills and Knowledge — Demonstrated Ability to:

• Articulate new questions or issues and apply the knowledge and skill developed within the discipline area of primary teaching to develop appropriate solutions
• Comply with professional codes of ethics and regulations which impact on the ability to work with children and keep abreast of changes in the legislation and practice applicable to the specific teaching context
• Work independently, responsibly and with the level of professionalism expected of an expert in the discipline area of primary teaching
• Design and implement a major research project in the discipline area of primary teaching to advance personal and professional development, in order to thrive in educational contexts

Admission Information

Applicants with Recent Secondary Education (within the past 2 years)

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with recent high school education only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Students must meet the necessary requirements for accreditation through NESA, including at least 1 full year (8 units) for study in one or more learning areas of the primary school curriculum (English/Literacy, Creative Arts, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), Mathematics/Numeracy, Personal Development Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), Science and Technology.

Additionally, as of 2024, all graduate entry Primary Teaching applicants will need to possess at least a Band 4 result in a prior HSC Mathematics course, or have undertaken at least 1 unit of Mathematics/Numeracy in a prior bachelor degree, or will be required to pass a Mathematics/Numeracy bridging unit (in addition to the program's regular units) before or during the first year of study in the Master of Teaching (Primary).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification only are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Applicants with Higher Education Study

Applicants whose highest level of study enrolment since leaving secondary eduction is a higher education qualification must demonstrate the competition of an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree (or higher) by an authorised institution for admission into this course.

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

This course of study requires the completion of a higher education qualification by an authorised institution. Applicants who have not completed formal higher education study are not eligible for direct entry into this course.

Program Requirements

The course structure is based on four semesters (each of 13 weeks duration), with four subjects taught in each semester:

• 10 cp from Christian Studies
• 120 cp from Education
• 10 cp from Research
• 20 cp from Professional Experience

Professional Experience (including Community Engagement) consisting of community-based learning and a minimum number of supervised teaching days in primary schools as stipulated by local registration/employing bodies.

To qualify for award of the degree of Master of Teaching (Primary) a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 160 credit points, including satisfactory completion of the core subjects.

For more information and to download the free course guide, make sure to visit the Alphacrucis Master of Teaching (Primary) course page.