Master of Teaching Practice (Primary Education)

Your subjects will be taught by academics who have strong links to educational institutions and current professional experience in the primary education sector.

Guest lecturers are chosen specifically to ensure that you are exposed to current and emerging developments in education.

You will experience a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:

• interactive seminars
• self-directed research
• group-based learning
• reflection on visual materials
• excursions
• online discussions
• professional placement(s).

Students will engage with local Aboriginal community members and gain an understanding of the oldest teaching methods in the world. This is supported by an opportunity to complete a Scar Tree Walk to a sacred Women's site on campus as well as contributing to the school's possum skin cloak.

During your studies you’ll develop a professional digital portfolio to demonstrate your understandings of learning and teaching in the 21st century.

Small classes enable personalised learning methods from caring staff, and excellent employment outcomes. You'll also benefit from a clear structure, excellent industry connections, and networking opportunities with alumni to further your professional learning.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects and practical assignments.

RMIT has a strong network of partner schools, industry connections, subject associations and representatives and employment agencies to help you make valuable connections while studying. 

You will take part in 60 days of placement across a range of educational settings to gain the essential practical experience to prepare for your future in the classroom. Preservice teachers are placed in schools all around Melbourne and beyond, generally close to where they live. Rural and interstate teaching opportunities are also available. As a preservice teacher, you are encouraged and supported to volunteer to help out at your local schools and gain extra experience in this capacity. This gives you further valuable exposure to a range of school settings.

Your practical experience can allow you to explore alternative education settings beyond the classroom including museums, galleries and other education settings.

Your placement will provide you with a whole school experience. You’ll get to experience all facets of a teacher's work by participating in classroom tasks and duties and observing teachers in action. You will plan and teach lessons, which will increase in number over your placement.

During your studies, you may apply for membership of appropriate professional bodies.

RMIT provides students with opportunities to take part in practical teaching placements overseas to experience education in a global setting.

Your placement coordinator will provide you with more information during your studies.

Develop the essential knowledge, critical understanding and education skills to be a dynamic teacher. You’ll learn to demonstrate expert judgment and ethical responsibility relating to your professional practice and provide leadership within education in strategic, collaborative and sustainable ways.

The curriculum mixes coursework in educational theory and teaching methodology with a minimum of 60 days of practical teaching experience in educational settings.

Classes are held at varying times, mainly during normal business hours but also on some evenings or an occasional weekend. Most subjects are taught in intensive or block mode.

Core subjects explore studies specific to education in:

• numeration, measurement and geometry
• humanities and global education
• learning and developing literacies
• art in primary education
• science principles and practices
• health and physical education
• teacher wellbeing
• indigenous studies
• educational research and inquiry
• special needs education.

You may also choose an elective subjects in areas such as:

• STEM teaching
  
• educational research and inquiry
• teacher wellbeing.
  

The Master of Teaching Practice (Primary Education) is subject to accreditation by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for registration purposes. It is well recognised throughout Australia, but if you wish to teach beyond Victoria you may need to meet further requirements with registration authorities in other states and territories.

For information on registration requirements, please contact the Victorian Institute of Teaching or Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.

Through reciprocal arrangements with registration authorities, RMIT graduates can practise as teachers nationally and overseas.

If successful, you will be required to complete a Working with Children Check prior to beginning the degree.

Literacy and numeracy test

Enrolled students are required to complete a literacy and numeracy test in their first year of study. Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts and the test must be passed by the end of the first year of enrolment in order to graduate from the program. Counselling and support for those failing the test will be available. It is mandated by the Federal Government and will be administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
For more information, including the cost of the test, please see Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

• understand more about the program
• determine if you may need support during your studies
• make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service 

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience settings.