MTeach

160 credit points

INDEX

Duration                                2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Available at                             Strathfield Campus NSW (Mount Saint Mary)

(Subject to approval from University Senate)

Overview

The nature of the Master of Teaching (Primary) degree requires domestic and international candidates to analyse their context and to address many socio-cultural issues that will stimulate positive interaction and dialogue between the University and the professional field.

Further the Master of Teaching (Primary) course, provides the opportunity for two-year pre-service postgraduate study at an appropriate level of academic rigour. The course is concerned with the improvement of professional practice by the application of advanced knowledge and research findings to the problems, issues and challenges that face education professionals. The primary aim of the course is to prepare professionals who are reflective, independent and flexible thinkers who are open to new ideas, and who will be capable of applying their knowledge and skills to improve curriculum offerings and advance the level of education in that community.

In addition with the inclusion of a strong cohort of international students, the curriculum will be enhanced by international perspectives.

The major aims of the courses are to facilitate within a Christian tradition, the development of reflective educated, culturally aware and responsive individuals, able to function effectively as beginning teachers in a variety of settings and committed to their continuing professional and ethical development. Participants will analyse the challenges and changing demands of education in the context of justice and equity informed by a Christian ethos. The courses will enable participants to become informed professionals who have read and analysed research and considered the implications and applications.

At the completion of the courses, graduates will have an overview knowledge of education and the expectations of employers, in particular Catholic employing authorities, the qualities and skills required to undertake professional responsibilities and leadership roles, and an informed commitment to professional values and ethics.

Prerequisites

Applicants to the Master of Teaching (Primary) must have a three-year post-secondary degree or equivalent to be eligible to apply.

In NSW only, for classification as a primary teacher, the NSW Department of Education and Training requires the undergraduate degree to contain either:

One full academic year of study in four of the areas listed; or
Two full academic years of study in one area and one full academic year of study in two other of the areas listed below:

Mathematics
Science and Technology
English
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
Human Society and its Environment
Creative and Practical Arts
Languages other than English, Information Technology, Psychology.

International applicants must also meet the Faculty's English language requirements as follows:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with an overall score of 7.0, including an individual score of 6.0 for writing and speaking tests and 6.0 for listening and reading tests; OR
  
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 600 and a TWE 5.0; or a computer-based score of 250 with an essay rating of 5.0; OR
  
• A minimum of three years study with English documented as the medium of instruction at accredited and NOOSR recognised secondary and/or tertiary institutions plus a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent.

Students should develop their English language skills during their candidature to meet employment requirements, which usually require a score of 7 on each sub-test.

Admission

Application should be made on the direct entry application form available on the ACU National Website www.acu.edu.au/forms.cfm. or from the Strathfield Student entry telephone 02 97014012. The application form, together with any supporting documentation should be submitted to the ACU National Admissions section.

Mode of Course

The Master of Teaching (Primary) is a two (2) year full-time course or part-time equivalent for full fee and Commonwealth Supported students. The course has 10 units in common with the Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) which international students can complete in an accelerated mode over 12 months.

Course Structure

*Students may substitute an Education elective for Religious Education 1. If they are not seeking employment in Catholic Schools.
# These units may be substituted for a units in the Graduate Certificate of Religious Education
Number of days may vary with different State requirements.

Unit Offerings

EDAC620 Social Research Methods and Community Contexts

EDAR504 Creative Arts Curriculum

EDFD447 Diversity in the Classroom

EDFD448 Effective Teaching and Professional Practice

EDFD450 Program Planning for Literacy and Numeracy

EDFD528 Social and Cultural Contexts of Development and Learning

EDFD604 Managing Challenging Behaviours

EDFD617 Research Project (20 credit points) in front of course but not back

EDFD632 Reading and Interpreting Research in Education

EDFX503 Graduate Professional Experience 1

EDFX504 Graduate Professional Experience 2

EDLA513 Language and Literacy

EDMA503 Mathematics Curriculum

EDPH101 PD/H/PE/Curriculum II

EDPH103 PD/H/PE Curriculum 1

EDPH500 PDHPE Curriculum

EDRE527 Religious Education Curriculum and Teaching Studies 1

EDSS503 HSIE/SOSE Curriculum

EDST512 Science and Technology Education

Elective

EDAC611 Child Abuse Prevention Programs

EDFD620 Social Justice and Curriculum

EDRE528 Religious Education Curriculum and Teaching Studies 2

EDTS603 Contemporary Issues in Learning

EDTS604 Creating Collaborative Learning Communities

EDTS606 Current Issues in Inclusive Education

Requirements for Completion of Award

The Master of Teaching (Primary) consists of 16 units (160 credit points) plus 2 units of field experience.