Master of Teaching (Primary)

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate the integration of discipline-specific knowledge with pedagogical skills of planning, managing and assessing learning in a primary or secondary school setting.
2. Apply cognitive creative, analytical, critical and practical skills consistent with advanced knowledge in education.
3. Synthesise theoretical understanding and practical skills to effectively plan, present and implement complex learning and teaching practices.
4. Communicate and advocate effectively with students, teachers, parents and other educational stakeholders.
5. Exhibit professional practice informed by critical attention to values that underpin contemporary education.

Make a difference to future generations as a primary school teacher.

The Master of Teaching is a pre-service teaching degree that gives you the skills and knowledge to teach in a primary school setting. The program is designed to build upon tertiary qualifications and experience, enabling students to complete a teaching qualification in as little as 18 months with our new fast-track options.

Your studies are informed by internationally renowned research in English literacy, inclusive education, arts and creativity, regional and rural education, and other areas inspired by the unique challenges and opportunities of education in Tasmania.

This program is accredited through the Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board and is recognised in all Australian states and territories. Practice your teaching skills in a safe and supportive environment with 60 days of professional experience placements in classrooms, graduating with the confidence to inspire the next generation.

Recommended study pattern

This degree can be completed as a two year full-time degree or the equivalent part-time.

The recommended full-time study pattern is:

Year 1. Completion of 8 core subjects and 2 Professional Experience placements and LANTITE from the schedule below:

• TAS-EMT502 Foundations of Teaching
• TAS-EMT504 Human Development and Learning
• TAS-EMT507 Planning for Positive Behaviour
• TAS-EMT508 Teacher as Planner Assessor & Reporter
• TAS-EMT511 Foundations of Primary English
• TAS-EMT512 Professional Experience 1 (non credit subject)
• TAS-EMT518 Professional Experience 2 (non credit subject)
• TAS-EMT521 Teaching Primary Mathematics 1
• TAS-EMT592 Primary Science & Technology Education
• TAS-EMT593 Primary Humanities and Social Sciences Education

LANTITE

All students must successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education (LANTITE) in order to graduate the program. Commencing students must attempt the LANTITE in their first year of study and both tests must be passed before the final Professional Experience Placement.

Year 2. Completion of 10 core subjects and 1 Professional Experience placement from the schedule below:

• TAS-EMT602 Ethics, Education and Professional Practice
• TAS-EMT603 Inclusive Practices in Education Settings
• TAS-EMT607 Preparing for the Profession*
• TAS-EMT608 Digital Technologies*
• TAS-EMT609 Languages and Culture*
• TAS-EMT611 Primary English Curriculum and Pedagogy
• TAS-EMT614 Professional Experience 3 (non credit subject)
• TAS-EMT620 Teaching Primary Mathematics 2
• TAS-EMT691 Cultural Awareness: The Non-indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interface*
• TAS-EMT694 Introduction to Arts Education
• TAS-EMT695 Personal Development & HPE

* Indicates a half-subject (= 6.25 UTAS credit points).

Students are enrolled in Professional Experience subjects for administration purposes only and these subjects do not have credit points allocated.

Award requirements

Satisfactory completion of 21 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 2-5 years from commencement.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Year 1 Core Subjects

• Year 2 Core Subjects

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

Indicative total fee $9,250

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.

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The minimum entry requirements, for all students, is the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a non-education discipline at an approved tertiary education institute.

Your initial degree should contain a major or equivalent in one of the available teaching proficiency areas. If your initial degree does not meet the requirements of a proficiency or specialisation, you may be offered the opportunity to complete additional undergraduate subjects either prior to or concurrently with your Master of Teaching in order to meet the requirements. Your offer letter will specify any additional subjects you will need to complete. 

Primary Proficiency Areas & Discipline Study:

• English - English studies (literature/textual) and may include studies in communications, creative writing, linguistics, media, or film.
• Humanities & Social Sciences - Humanities and social sciences with subjects drawn from Aboriginal studies, anthropology, archaeology, Asian or Pacific studies, business, civics, commerce, cultural studies, economics, geography, government, history, legal studies, philosophy, politics, psychology, religion studies, social communication and sociology.
• Mathematics - Pure or applied mathematics. Applicants with a Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Accounting can receive the Mathematics proficiency. Science Biology or chemistry or physics or environmental science or geology. Applicants with a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Medicine can receive the Science proficiency.
• The Arts - Visual arts, music, media art, theatre, or drama or dance.
• Health & Physical Education (HPE) - Physical education studies, health studies, health promotion, human movement studies, nutrition education, sports sciences.
• Languages - A single language including study of the spoken and written language.
• Technologies - Computing or computer technology. 

Non-Academic Capability Assessment Tool (NACAT)

All applicants are required to provide a non-academic personal statement which is used to assist in the selection of students into all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses at the University of Tasmania.

This statement is submitted through the Non-Academic Capability Assessment Tool (NACAT) after you have completed your application and is used in conjunction with your ATAR score (or equivalent alternative entry.) All applicants must satisfactorily complete the NACAT before they will be provided with an offer into the course.

Instructions on submitting your statement and completing the NACAT are provided during the application process.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.

An integral part of the Master of Teaching are classroom placements whereby students put theory, knowledge and skills into active cycles of observation, practice and reflection.

Students participate in a minimum of 60 days (12 weeks) of full-time Professional Experience (or work-integrated learning). Placements are scheduled as continuous ‘blocks’ of time ranging from 15 to 20 days and occur in a variety of educational settings across the students’ experience of the course.

Placements are designed to enable students to apply their knowledge and skills in diverse practice settings. Placements involve active observation, participation and engagement in teaching and learning roles and activities.

During the placement, students are supervised and managed by a tertiary qualified educator (a Supervising Teacher) employed in the practice setting. Students’ competencies and levels of achievement are assessed against Focus Areas within the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

All applicants are required to provide a non-academic personal statement which is used to assist in the selection of students into all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses at the University of Tasmania.

This statement is submitted through the Non-Academic Capability Assessment Tool (NACAT) after you have completed your application and is used in conjunction with your ATAR score (or equivalent alternative entry.) All applicants must satisfactorily complete the NACAT before they will be provided with an offer into the course.

Instructions on submitting your statement and completing the NACAT are provided during the application process.

Prior to undertaking their final Professional Experience placement, Master of Teaching students are required to complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teaching Education (LANTITE).