Study at Curtin
MJRP-TCHPR

Primary Education

Postgraduate major

If you want to become a primary school teacher but have a degree in an area other than teaching, this course gives you the qualification you need.

Course outline
  • Qualification
    Primary Education Major (MTeach)
  • Credit

    Credit

    400
Course outline

Check the application deadline for the parent course

Course outline

Overview

Overview

This major is designed for those who wish to teach years 1–6 and gain a foundation for teaching across the primary school curriculum. This initial teacher education degree provides the qualification required to teach primary school students in the Australian Government, Catholic and Independent school sectors.

The course takes a student-centred approach to teaching and learning, encouraging analytical and critical thinking.

Graduates are eligible for registration as a teacher in all Australian states and territories, and in countries that recognise Australian teaching qualifications.

All students must complete the professional work experience requirement in schools as part of this course, including those electing to study online.

The Primary Education Major is part of the Master of Teaching.

What jobs can the Primary Education course lead to?

CAREERS

  • Primary school teacher 
  • Curriculum designer 
  • Policy development officer 
  • Education administration officer 
  • Trainer, mentor or coach 
  • Special programs officer 

What you'll learn

  • demonstrate cultural responsiveness and respectful engagement with local First Peoples and a diversity of cultures
  • demonstrate a capacity for leadership through critical thinking and reflective and innovative practices based on local, national and international research and engagement in ongoing professional learning
  • apply relevant theory and research to enhance the learning experiences and outcomes of learners from a diversity of backgrounds and of aspirations
  • apply high-level discipline knowledges and understandings to demonstrate pedagogical capabilities, including planning and delivering effective teaching and learning experiences in the technologically enhanced learning environment, with demonstrated impact for all learners
  • apply high-level discipline and well-developed pedagogical knowledges to generate and critically analyse diverse sources to support situated professional judgements when assessing and reporting on learning
  • demonstrate effective and creative literacy and numeracy competencies across a range of professional contexts
  • apply principles of social justice to create and manage positive, safe and ethical learning environments that support a diversity of learners to engage in meaningful learning
  • communicate professionally with educational stakeholders, including colleagues, parents and carers, and engage collaboratively to build sustainable communities

Professional recognition and accreditation

This course is recognised nationally as an initial pre-service teaching qualification. Initial Teacher Education courses in Australia are accredited by the relevant authority in the state or territory in which the institution providing the qualification is based.

Accordingly, the Master of Teaching course provided by Curtin University is fully accredited by the Teachers’ Registration Board of WA (TRBWA) and graduates of the course are able to register as practising teachers with the registration body in their home state or territory, based on the course accreditation provided by the TRBWA.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

You must have a bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised institution, with at least one year of study in an area relating to one or more learning areas of the primary curriculum.

Applicants will also be required to engage in assessment of non-academic attributes in order to reflect on their suitability for teaching. Students will be responsible for meeting any costs associated with this assessment process.

You also need to meet a minimum standard of English Language Proficiency, as you are required to teach others in English during your professional experience placements.

Entry to this course will not be possible based on work experience alone. This is consistent with current practice for courses in the School of Education. This course is not suitable for qualified Secondary teachers wishing to change their subject specialisation.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

8.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

8.0

Overall band score

7.5

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

Some lectures in this course may be attended by both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Working with Children Clearances and Certifications 

Students will be required to have a current and valid Working with Children clearance as required by the state or country in which the placement provider is located. They will also need to meet any other relevant State requirements before engaging in any work with children or professional experience. If students have any doubt about their eligibility to acquire these clearances they should contact the local Teacher Registration Authority.

LANTITE

Students are also required to provide evidence of successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE) prior to graduation. The test is managed by ACER and details of the test (for example, sample questions, the Test Window dates, and registration) can be found at: https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/. Students are responsible for meeting the costs associated with taking these tests, which are a national requirement applicable to all teaching graduates.

Professional experience placements

All students are required to successfully complete compulsory professional experience placements in schools as part of designated units throughout the course. Professional experience placements must be undertaken in a registered school where the language of instruction is English.

Placements are undertaken on a full-time basis for the number of days shown in a continuous block and students need to plan carefully to ensure they are able to meet this commitment. The total number of days of professional experience in the course will satisfy all states' requirements for teacher registration. No more than 25% of professional experience days may be undertaken in schools outside Australia. Therefore, students will only be able to complete one 3 week placement outside Australia and will be required to complete all other placements within Australia.

None of the four professional experience placements can be broken or split into shorter periods.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Essential requirements for admission (including fieldwork requirements)

Many of our courses require students to comply with additional essential requirements. Failure to comply with any of the essential requirements may potentially prevent the successful completion of the course and/or achieving professional registration.

Fees and scholarships

Please view the Master of Teaching degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

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  • Curtin course code: MJRP-TCHPR
  • Last updated on: 20 December 2024

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