The Master of Teaching (Primary) program is for graduates with non-education Bachelor degrees who want to qualify to teach in primary schools. The discipline area of your degree needs to comply with the key curriculum delivered in Queensland primary schools. This program replaces the Graduate Entry (Primary) program from Semester 1, 2018. The Master of Teaching is a two-year equivalent program delivered over two years full-time.

This is your opportunity to complement your in-depth area of knowledge with education, teaching and curriculum studies. USC offers strong practical experience as part of this two-year program. You will undertake Supervised Professional Experience in three blocks, totalling 60 days of practice teaching. It is possible to do your Supervised Professional Experience in South East Queensland, Queensland provincial centres and rural areas throughout Queensland, allowing you to make more informed decisions about your career.

Value add to your Master of Teaching program by attending ongoing professional development seminars and employment forums to enhance your knowledge and skills in areas such as classroom management, setting yourself up for success during your first year of teaching and meeting with representatives from major employers such as The Queensland College of Teachers, teacher unions and international recruiters.

Admission requirements

Applicants must write a 1000-word written statement that describes their non-academic capabilities. Effective teachers possess both academic and non-academic capabilities. Research has shown that the best teachers are those who have academic capability, literacy and numeracy skills and personal characteristics (non-academic capabilities). Non-academic capabilities include motivation to teach, self-efficacy, willingness to learn, conscientiousness, engagement with learning, resilience, interpersonal and communication skills, organisational and planning skills, and written communications skills. Research has also shown that a personal written statement describing self-assessment of non-academic capabilities is a suitable means for assessing non-academic capabilities for teaching.

Entry to this program requires applicants to meet academic and non-academic criteria.

Full details of entry to this program are on the QTAC website.

Post-admission requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 60 days of Supervised Professional Experience in a school setting under the supervision of a Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) registered teacher. Students must obtain a Blue Card (or link their existing Blue Card to USC) prior to commencing supervised professional experience. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the SPE start date. View the Blue Card Fact Sheet for further information. Blue Cards are free-of-charge for Education students when applying through the School of Education at USC.

Students will also need to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students. For more information on this Government initiative please visit the Students First website. Further information on the test, including sample test questions and registration information, please visit the Australian Council of Educational Research website.

Career opportunities

Primary school teacher, private practice tutor, education consultant, community education centre leader, College/University lecturer, zoo education officer, education exhibition organiser, Education Policy Analyst, children’s television presenter, youth support worker, teacher of English overseas, children’s advocate leader.

Registration

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers *

* External accreditation pending approval.