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Master of Teaching (Primary)

Postgraduate coursework

Understand how young people learn and make sense of the world. Graduate ready to become a highly sought-after and skilled primary school teacher.

Key facts

English language requirements

IELTS band score of 7 (with no band less than 7) and speaking and listening of 7.5

Duration

2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (16 credit points)

Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.

Locations

International campus based students undertake their studies at Burwood (Melbourne)

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

If you’re passionate about nurturing young, inquisitive children from prep to grade 6 and are motivated to make a genuine impact on future generations, Deakin's Master of Teaching (Primary) is for you.

Ready to become a highly sought-after primary school teacher with a holistic understanding of how young people learn and make sense of the world?

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is infused with practical learning. With a focus on dynamic skills and communication, you’ll graduate classroom-ready, a finely tuned educator and leader with a set of adaptable techniques.

A career in education provides flexibility, variety and security. Learn first-hand from highly experienced and passionate teachers who understand the importance of recognising all students as people first.

Discover how to shape teacher/student relationships to ensure students build positive connections with their peers, their school and themselves. Gain the critical knowledge required for modern-day digital classrooms, engaging with topics such as diversity and inclusion, teacher inquiry, context and leading-edge research, coupled with culturally relevant approaches to teaching.

At Deakin you’ll also collaborate with early childhood educators, primary and secondary teachers. Our multidisciplinary approach will enable you to gain a well-rounded view of how young people learn.

This, combined with at least 60-days of professional placement and your completion of a Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment (DTPA), benchmarked against national standards, means you’ll be set for success in the classroom anywhere in Australia and beyond.

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Course information

Award granted
Master of Teaching (Primary)
Year

2023 course information

Deakin code
E762
CRICOS code?
088429K Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Course structure

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is typically 16 credit points.

The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) – your professional experience and previous qualifications – which can save you time and money

To qualify for the award of Master of Teaching (Primary), students must complete the following:

  • 11 core units (12 credit points)
  • A further 4 credit points in one of the following specialisations: 
  1. Primary Extended Curriculum 
  2. Internship 

Completion of at least 60-days of supervised professional experience (70-days for Primary Extended Curriculum), and students must successfully complete the Deakin Teaching Performance Assessment. This must be complete in the final year of study. Successful completion of this course indicates that a student has met the expected standard of performance for each of the Graduate Teacher Standards.

Students are also required to complete below two zero (0) credit point units ELN010 and ELN011 as part of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate from their course.

11

Core units

4

Specialisation

15

Total units

Core units

  • Australian Literacy Test (zero (0) credit points)
  • Australian Numeracy Test (zero (0) credit points)
  • Language, Literacies and Learning
  • Numeracy, Social Justice and New Pedagogies
  • Health, Wellbeing and Inclusive Education
  • Primary Humanities
  • Primary Mathematical Development
  • Primary Literacy
  • Primary Science and Technology Education
  • Arts, Humanities and Sustainability in Primary Education
  • Professional Experience Placement Units*

  • Orientation to the Teaching Profession
  • Building Capacity in Professional Experience
  • Reflecting On Practice in Professional Experience (2 credit points
  • *please note unit rules for order in which these must be completed. Noting additional placement units are listed in the specialisation options

    Specialisations

    Students complete the remaining four credit points from one of following specialisations

    Internship

  • Internship (4 credit points)
  • Primary Extended Curriculum 

    4 credit points including;

  • Creativity and the Arts
  • Primary Health and Physical Education Pedagogies
  • Curriculum Inquiry in Professional Experience (Professional Experience Placement Unit)
  • Plus one unit from Primary Specialisations (aligned with undergrad minor) List A

    Primary Specialisations List A

    For Primary Extended Curriculum, choose one unit from below (aligned with undergrad minor) 

  • English Curriculum Inquiry
  • Mathematics Curriculum Inquiry
  • Humanities Curriculum Inquiry
  • Science Curriculum Inquiry
  • Arts Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Teaching and Learning in Languages Classrooms
  • Pedagogy for TESOL and EAL Learners
  • Health Curriculum Inquiry
  • Physical Education Curriculum Inquiry
  • Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)

    Additional course information

    Students are required to apply for a Working with Children Check. Apply online as a volunteer at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/.  

    All professional experience placements must be undertaken in an Australian school setting. Overseas placements are not permitted.

    For further information contact the School of Education, Professional Experience office.

    Course duration - additional information

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

    Participation requirements

    Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

    Entry requirements

    Entry information

    Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications.

    Admission is based on:

    • Bachelor degree in a different discipline, and
    • All applicants must complete an additional selection tool for non-academic attributes. Deakin University is using the Casper test. Casper is an online, video-scenario based situational judgement test, designed to measure non-academic suitability for teaching.

    In addition, applicants are required to have at least one year of full-time or equivalent study relevant to one or more learning areas of the primary school curriculum, including minor in one Australian Curriculum Learning Area F-10. For more information see F-10 Learning Areas: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au 

    IELTS / English language requirements 

    Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

    It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)

    Admissions information

    Applicant indicator profile report of all applicants applying to Deakin University Graduate Entry Teaching (GET) courses in Trimester 1, 2022.

    Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.

    All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.

    Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.

    For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library

    Online studies

    Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

    However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

    Recognition of prior learning

    Am I eligible to receive Recognition of Prior Learning?

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations.

    Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. Recognition for Prior Learning in the Master of Teaching (Primary) is restricted by the professional accreditation structures of the course. Students are encouraged to apply for credit for comparable curriculum discipline units completed at postgraduate level.

    Recognition is not available for any work experience whether paid or unpaid, qualified or unqualified teacher or teacher aide against the academic professional experience units.

    You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.

    One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.

    Learn more about tuition fees.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply through Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.

    Deakin International office or Deakin representative

    Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage
    If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.

    Research Information

    This is a graduate entry teaching course that introduces research based practice throughout the core professional studies units (a total of six credit points), which includes demonstrating their application of knowledge and skills through their 70 days of professional practice in education based contexts e.g. primary schools. As part of the series of core professional studies units, students are also required to complete a capstone assessment in the final year (2 credit point unit) to demonstrate their evidence based professional practice informed by data analysis and scholarship of teaching and learning.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    As one of the largest growing employment sectors in Australia, there are many career opportunities to explore.

    The knowledge and skills you’ll develop through the Master of Teaching (Primary) prepare you well for a diverse range of industries and settings, including:

    • teaching in public, independent or private schools
    • arts, museums and learning centres
    • corporate learning and development
    • counselling
    • human resources
    • policy
    • universities
    • youth work.

    For more information go to DeakinTALENT

    Professional recognition

    The Master of Teaching (Primary) is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as an initial teacher education program that meets the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) program standards and the Australian professional standards for graduate teachers. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to register with the VIT as a registered educator. If you intend to apply for registration in Victoria or interstate you may be required to provide further information.

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

    Course Learning Outcomes

    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

    Contribute to critical, professional debates about education theory; local, national and global trends; curriculum; Indigenous and intercultural perspectives; and legal, professional and ethical codes and standards, and critique and apply these understandings to inform their own practice.

    Communication

    Apply critical thinking, pedagogical knowledge and effective interpersonal, oral, written and multimodal communication skills to demonstrate empathy, foster learner agency, establish positive and inclusive learning-friendly environments, and build effective professional partnerships and trust with families/caregivers, teaching colleagues and other stakeholders.

    Digital literacy

    Act in accordance with the ethical and legal frameworks and policy that inform responsible and ethical practice in digital environments, and critically discuss, evaluate and employ a range of appropriate digital literacies, resources and technologies for professional/community/learner engagement and agency.

    Critical thinking

    Contribute to critical and professional debates about education trends, theory, policy and research and use these understandings to critically reflect on and evaluate own teaching practices and diverse learning data sets to make informed evidence-based judgements for enhancements and innovations to improve learner agency and outcomes. 

    Problem solving

    Collaboratively and independently use evidence and research to identify, prioritise and creatively respond to problems that arise in professional learning and practice.

    Self-management

    Engage autonomously and responsibly with critical self-reflection, self-assessment and feedback from others, to inform their own learning, plan for professional development and to balance academic demands with self-care /self-management.

    Teamwork

    Actively and collaboratively participate in, and/or lead learning communities, involving learners, families, community members, colleagues and the broader profession to deepen understandings of education and to optimise learning and learner well-being.

    Global citizenship

    Engage in research, and with the legal and ethical obligations of the teaching profession, to develop informed positions on and approaches to educational transformation as applied to learner agency and citizenship; Indigenous and intercultural issues; global education trends and issues; and, social justice and sustainability.

    Approved by Faculty Board 2019