Master of Teaching (Primary) (MC-TEACHPR) // Course structure

Course structure

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a 200-credit point program which may be completed over

• 2 years of full time study; or
• 4 years of part time study.

Teacher Candidates complete:

• 5 core subjects focusing on the theory and practice of education
• 10-12 discipline area subjects
• 3 Clinical Teaching Practice subjects which incorporate the primary school placements, and
• Subjects specific to either the Coursework or Research options.

The Coursework or Research subjects are completed in the second half of the program alongside the core program and comprise:

• Coursework: 1 x 25-point capstone subject and 1 elective; or
• Research*: 50 points of research preparation for entry to higher degree research programs.

* In order to be eligible to apply for the Research Option, Teacher Candidates must achieve a minimum average of H2A (75%) in the first 100 credit points of the program.

All Teacher Candidates must meet the following course progression requirement:

The Australian Commonwealth Government’s Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (the Test) is administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (independently of The University of Melbourne).

Each Teacher Candidate must satisfactorily complete the Test by the end of the first calendar year of their enrolment in the Master of Teaching (Primary). This is necessary in order for each Teacher Candidate to continue beyond the first calendar year of their course.

Failure to satisfactorily complete the Test by this progression point will result in referral to the Melbourne Graduate School of Education’s Course Academic Progress Committee and may result in exclusion from the course. Excluded Teacher Candidates may be granted an early exit award of a Graduate Diploma in Pedagogy (Primary)* (subject to satisfactory completion of relevant subjects). Alternatively they may be withdrawn from the course.

*Note that the Graduate Diploma in Pedagogy (Primary) is not a qualification for registration to teach in schools.

Full Time 2-Year Plan

• When applying for the course, Teacher Candidates select the full time option
• Undertake four semesters of full time study over 2 years
• Enrol according to the Full Time Plan

Part Time 4-Year Plan

• When applying for the course, Teacher Candidates select the part time option
• Undertake eight semesters of part time study over 4 years
• Enrol according to the Part Time Plan.

Factors to consider when selecting Part Time include:

• It is not possible to complete the Research Pathway Option within the 4-year Part Time plan (see note below on converting to full time to take the Research Pathway Option).
• Teacher Candidates that start in Part Time may request to change to Full Time by no later than the start of Semester 2 of Year 2. They then follow the Standard Full Time second year structure and pursue either the Coursework or Research Pathway Option (subject to meeting eligibility requirements). Changing to Full Time would permit Teacher Candidates to complete their degree in 3 years.
• Applicants / Teacher Candidates should carefully consider suitability of the Part Time plan to their personal circumstances, as well as the study load implications (e.g. on international student visa, or government support).

Specialised Pathways

Teacher Candidates must complete the requirements of one Specialised Pathway, to gain a depth of knowledge in a specific discipline area. The suite includes:

• The Arts
• Health & Physical Education
• Humanities
• Languages
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Science
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Teacher Candidates nominate their preferred Specialised Pathway in Semester 1 of Year 1. Selection into pathways is confirmed at the end of Year 1, and is determined by Teacher Candidates’ previous experience, performance in relevant Year 1 subjects and the overall demand for each pathway.

Selection into the Languages Specialised Pathway also requires prior completion of a major study of an approved language. Teacher Candidates with other qualifications will need to arrange to be assessed by a language department of an Australian university as being of equivalent proficiency.

To meet the requirements of a Specialised Pathway, Teacher Candidates:

• Must follow the overall course structure, and complete all subjects that are compulsory to the Master of Teaching (Primary) (note that identified compulsory subjects are substituted with extension subjects in the Literacy, Mathematics, Science and STEM pathways);
• Must satisfy a minimum specified credit points of study in the Specialised Pathway focus area;
• In the Coursework Option must take a Specialised Pathway focus in the capstone subject, and may be required to take a Specialised Pathway focus in the elective / place based elective (depending on the pathway);
• In the Research Option, must take a Specialised Pathway focus in the two research-focused subjects.

The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Humanities and Science Specialised Pathways each require a minimum of 50 credit points of study in the focus area. A Specialised Pathway focus must be taken in the capstone and elective/place based elective subjects (Coursework Option); or in the research‐focused subjects (Research Option).

The Languages Specialised Pathway requires a minimum of 62.5 credit points of study in the Languages focus area, and can only be completed in the Coursework Option (i.e. the Research Option is not available). The Languages Specialised Pathway satisfies the Victorian Institute of Teaching specialist requirements for Languages Teachers. A Languages focus must be taken in the capstone subject, and EDUC90543 Languages for Young Learners completed as the elective (which includes a supervised Languages teaching practicum).

The Literacy and Mathematics Specialised Pathways require a minimum of 50 credit points of study in the focus area. All extension subjects (which substitute identified compulsory subjects) must be completed. In the Coursework Option, a pathway focus must be taken in the capstone subject. Teacher Candidates may choose between taking the pathway-focused elective, a Place Based Elective (with or without a pathway focus), or one of the Alternative electives. In the Research Option, a pathway focus must be taken in the research-focused subjects.

The STEM Specialised Pathway requires a minimum of 62.5 credit points of study in STEM. All extension subjects (which substitute identified compulsory subjects) must be completed. In the Coursework Option, Teacher Candidates must take a STEM focus in the capstone subject. Teacher Candidates may choose between taking the STEM-focused elective, a Place Based Elective (with or without a STEM focus), or one of the Alternative electives. In the Research Option, a STEM focus must be taken in the research-focused subjects.

Specialised Pathway-specific details and contributing subjects are provided on the Majors, Minors and Specialisations pages.

Extension subjects

Teacher Candidates wishing to extend knowledge in another discipline may elect to take core extension subjects from another Specialised Pathway (if they meet the subject prerequisites). Note that this will not give Teacher Candidates a second specialised pathway.

Subject options

See subject options for each of the Full Time and Part Time course plans listed under Majors, minors and specialisations.

Last updated: 11 September 2024