Master of Primary Teaching - On Demand

Graduates of the Master of Primary Teaching will have:

1. research-informed knowledge of the science of learning, including how children learn, develop, and construct knowledge, considering brain malleability, socialemotional factors, psychosocial factors, and cognitive processes
2. comprehensive understanding of variability and diversity in children's development and learning pathways, enabling differentiated instruction and support for learners from diverse abilities and backgrounds
3. knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogies and identity-safe learning environments, including understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and educational approaches
4. deep subject matter knowledge integrated with pedagogical content knowledge for designing engaging, inquiry-based curriculum that promotes critical thinking and knowledge transfer
5. knowledge of research principles and systematic inquiry methods applicable to educational contexts and reflective practice 

This degree is part of Griffith GO, our 100% online, on-demand degrees that let you start when you're ready, study at your own pace and learn from anywhere.

Turn your passion for learning into a meaningful career with the Master of Primary Teaching. Delivered online and on demand, this degree gives you the flexibility to study at your own pace.

The Master of Primary Teaching offers a direct, flexible pathway into a rewarding career as a qualified primary school teacher. Designed for those with a bachelor degree in another discipline, this degree equips you with the professional knowledge, practical experience and confidence to teach children from Prep to Year 6.

Highlights of studying the Master of Primary Teaching

• Study online, on demand. Start as soon as you have your offer with no on-campus commitments. Flexible, self-paced online study that fits around your lifestyle.
• Learn from experienced educators through interactive online modules and personalised academic support.
• Gain practical experience through 60 days of supervised school placements, building your confidence in real classrooms.
• Develop the skills and knowledge to teach the Australian Primary Curriculum, including literacy, numeracy and student wellbeing. Explore core topics including child development, curriculum and pedagogy, educational psychology and inclusive teaching practices.
• Build strong knowledge of the Australian education system and policies, teaching ethics and culturally responsive practice.

Real experience, real classrooms

Throughout your degree, you'll connect theory to practice, studying key concepts in the learning blocks before putting this into practice in the field.

You'll complete 60 days of professional experience in schools. This prac component is scheduled at specific points throughout your degree and aligned with school terms.

Your first placement is 3 weeks full-time (15 days), followed by 4 weeks (20 days) and then 5 weeks (25 days).

Placements will be allocated as close to your residential address as possible subject to availability.

Under the guidance of experienced mentors, you'll learn how to plan lessons, engage young learners and reflect on your teaching practice. Gain the skills to thrive from day one as a graduate teacher.

Teaching for tomorrow's world

Develop the tools to manage diverse classrooms, use technology effectively and differentiate learning for individual student needs. You'll be supported by passionate academic staff and have access to a strong professional network of educators. You'll graduate equipped to teach in public, independent or private primary schools, with skills that reflect the latest educational approaches.

Please note: All students graduate with the award of Master of Primary Teaching.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include: 

• Early Years of Primary Education
• Upper Years of Primary Education 
• Pedagogies and Curriculum for Engagement 1 
• Capstone Professional Experience

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Primary Teaching (MPrimaryTeach), you must successfully

Complete 160 credit points comprising:

• 160 credit points for all Core Courses

The following requirement(s) apply:  

• Meet the requirements of the Literacy and Numeracy Benchmark in the test administered by ACER on behalf of AITSL*.

The Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) requires a minimum of 60 days of supervised school experience**. These days will be organised as follows:

• Year 1/Trimester 1 - Understanding Diverse Learners
• campus-based studies + 15 days block practice in schools.
• Year 1/Trimester 2 - Pedagogies for Engaged Learning: Primary
• campus-based studies + 20 days block practice in schools.
• Year 2/Trimester 1 or Trimester 2 - Teaching for Impact
• campus-based studies + 25 days block practice in schools.

* You will need to successfully complete the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) to graduate from the program. You are permitted to have three test attempts in total for each component. If you fail three test attempts for each component, you will not be able to graduate.

** Students requiring 80 days of professional experience for registration in Ontario should contact the Program Director for permission to undertake a 35-day block placement in schools in Year 1/Trimester 1.

This degree may be awarded with Distinction where a student achieves a minimum program GPA of 6.5 with no failed courses. The words "This award was achieved with Distinction" will be recorded on the testamur.

Exit points

To be eligible to exit with the 3286 - Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching award, you must acquire 40 credit points for any courses in the Master of Primary Teaching program.

To be eligible to exit the 4202 - Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching award, you must acquire 80 credit points for any courses in the Master of Primary Teaching program.

To exit, you should apply for a program transfer.

Note: Students exiting with either of these awards will have to reapply for admission via official admission channels if they wish to re-enter the Master of Primary Teaching.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $9,600

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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Applicants will need a completed Bachelor degree (or equivalent) that does not lead to teacher registration (with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale) with significant breadth of study to address the range of teaching areas expected by employers.

The key learning areas include: The Arts; English; Health and Physical Education; Mathematics; Science; Humanities and Social Sciences and Technology. You can explore these key learning areas further on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.

Note: Successful completion of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) is not an entry requirement for this program. However, if you have achieved a 'satisfactory' result for one or more component of the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) at another institution, the 'satisfactory' result can be carried across with your program application. You are not eligible to apply for a place in the program if one or more component of LANTITE remains at 'unsatisfactory' after two test attempts for that component. Griffith University does not support reset of LANTITE test attempts.

All students will need to attempt the LANTITE in their fist year of study and complete it to be eligible to enrol into 7888EDN. There are four opportunities each year to sit LANTITE and students will need to plan ahead using the PEx calendar (Calendars and Handbooks (griffith.edu.au) to avoid clashes with first year professional experience times.

Griffith University pays for the initial attempt for each component by preservice teachers who are currently enrolled in an initial education program at Griffith University. Preservice teachers should consult the ACER website for information about LANTITE testing, restrictions, and booking information at Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education. Preservice teachers can find preparation materials for LANTITE on their program sites and on the ACER website.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a program or course that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills required to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous Bachelor-level study was completed in a country other than Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America or undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.5 in IELTS (Academic)* with a score of at least 8.0 for Listening and Speaking and a score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing;
• OR a score of at least 4 in each of the areas of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing in the ISLPR**;
• OR successful completion of at least three years full-time Bachelor-level*** study where the language of instruction is English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America.

* IELTS One Skill Retake can be used for a maximum of one component. One Skill Retakes must be completed within 60 days of the original full test sitting.

** The ISLPR test will only be accepted if it has been administered by ISLPR Language Services, 9 Gowrie Street, Mt Gravatt, Queensland.

*** Postgraduate study cannot be used to meet this requirement.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

This program is accredited and language requirements have been set to ensure applicants meet both Griffith University language requirements and requirements for registration within Queensland. The Queensland College of Teachers requires graduating teachers to provide evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP) with their application for registration unless they have completed the full four years of higher education study required for registration in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States of America. Further information is available on the Queensland College of Teachers website.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:  

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.  
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.  
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.