Master of Teaching (Primary) at Charles Sturt University

Master of Teaching (Primary) MTeach(Prim)

About the course

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a pre-service primary teacher training program comprising 14 subjects which can be studied over 4 semesters (full time) or 7 semesters (part time) by distance education.

NB: Students commencing the course in Autumn Session 2009 should be aware that this is the final intake into this course, and a completion date of the end of 2011 applies to all new students in 2009. Therefore the part-time enrolment pattern is a somewhat accelerated pattern, involving 2 semesters where students must undertake 3 subjects rather than the usual part-time load of 2 subjects. The phase-out of this course is occurring due to changes in the NSW Institute of Teachers requirements for primary teaching courses which coincides with a regular course review. New students in 2009 who don’t complete the course by the end of 2011 will need to transfer to the new course, a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) 16-subject course. Please be assured that if you complete the Master of Teaching (Primary) by the end of 2011, you will graduate with a valid primary teaching qualification acceptable to the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 112 points, comprising 14 x 8 point subjects

Practicum

Students will complete a minimum 10 weeks of practicum experience. This will be split into:

two week of in-school observation in EPT511 Orientation to Primary Education
one five-week teaching block in EPT514 Practice of Teaching 1
one five-week teaching block in EPT520 Practice of Teaching 2

Students must successfully complete the two core-curriculum studies subjects

EML512 Curriculum Studies: English in the Primary School
and
EMM513 Curriculum Studies: Mathematics Curriculum before undertaking the first practicum EPT514 .

Orientation to primary education

This observation period within schools focuses on:

the functions of the school and the responsibilities of the teacher;
an awareness of the basic principles of teaching and learning.

Practicum 1: Practice of Teaching 1

In the first teaching practice students will concentrate on:

planning, implementing and evaluating lessons
classroom management and collecting information relating to: child conceptual and physical development; the relationship between the school and its community; and individual differences of students

Practicum 2: Practice of Teaching 2

In the second teaching practice session students will be expected to concentrate on:

planning, implementing and evaluating units of work
classroom management
whole school management and pupil welfare
cultural and individual differences and collecting information relating to: across curriculum perspectives; teacher roles outside the classroom; and school and faculty organisation and management
extending their knowledge of particular curriculum areas into integrated curriculum

Students are encouraged to undertake their last practicum in alternative locations: rural and remote areas, schools with a high Aboriginal population, schools in traditional Aboriginal communities, inner city urban locations or in schools with a high population of children from non-English speaking backgrounds. Under certain circumstances, students may be able to undertake their second practicum in some overseas countries where CSU has established international links. Such practicums may also be undertaken as additional to the minimum ten weeks. Conditions apply, and not all applications to undertake additional teaching practice are approved.

Credit

Upon receipt of substantiated documentation, credit may be given for equivalent study undertaken at Master level.

Literacy requirements

To be successful at studies within this course, students must be highly competent in spoken and written English literacy. All students who do not have this level of competence in spoken and written English literacy will be required to independently organise some form of coaching in English literacy, such as a short TAFE course or other form of tuition to improve their skills.

Students will be advised of their options by the Head of School from the campus where they are enrolled. If, after an agreed period of study in English literacy a student’s English standard has not improved, the appropriate Head of School will provide further advice with regard to alternative career options.

Residential schools

There are no residential schools required for this course.

Access to allowances for study

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations recently announced the extension of student income support to students undertaking study in a number of professionally-oriented Masters by coursework degrees. Eligible students undertaking approved Masters courses will be able to access Youth Allowance, Austudy and the Pensioner Education Supplement.

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Online Course Brochure For enrolment in 2009