Master of Teaching (Primary)
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
Duration
2 years full-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates

Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
- 2 educational foundation units (25 credit points)
- 6 educational discipline units (75 credit points)
- 5 advanced educational units (62.5 credit points)
- 3 supervised Professional Experience units (37.5 credit points)
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Teaching (Primary) is 100 credit points (normally eight units)
Swinburne Online offers a flexible degree structure allowing students to adjust their study commitment throughout the duration of their program. Students have the flexibility to study between one and four units per teaching period, subject to unit availability and prerequisite requirements. A unit of study can only be counted once.
Academic Progress – Special Requirements
In addition to the standard academic progress rules, the Master of Teaching (Primary) has the following additional academic progress rules which are established in accordance with Academic Courses Regulation 62(2):
1. A student is classified as 'at risk' of unsatisfactory progress if they:
(a) behave in a manner which breaches the Swinburne Student Charter whilst on a teaching placement
2. A student is classified as having 'unsatisfactory progress' if they:
(a) fail to successfully complete the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students (LANTITE) prior to completing 100 credit points of studies or following three attempts
(b) fail a Teaching Placement unit
(c) have their teaching placement terminated early by a school. In the case of early termination of a teaching placement by a school, the student will be deemed as having 'unsatisfactory progress' and a progress review processes will commence within two weeks of the cessation of the placement
Students who are identified as having unsatisfactory progress will be subject to the show cause provisions in the Progress Review section of the Academic Progress Policy.
Placements are a key part of your education course and are a requirement for teacher registration. Swinburne Online will provide guidance and support through the Professional Placements Office to enable students to arrange their own placements.
Professional experience requires student teachers to hold a current Child Safety Screening checks, as required by their State/Territory, before commencing a professional placement. Find out more about placements.
Units of study
Prior to completing 100 credit points of study, students must pass national literacy and numeracy tests. Find out more about the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students, including associated costs.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- demonstrate a broad and deep knowledge of the theories and practice of learning, teaching and pedagogy, across multiple discipline and methodological domains
- demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of the key issues, policies and theoretical concepts impacting primary education in Australian and global contexts
- reflect critically on, and synthesise, learning and to take responsibility and accountability for quality teaching and personal outputs in the context of primary education practice
- apply high levels of independent judgement to synthesise, integrate, justify and apply multiple domains of educational knowledge in novel or new situations in practice
- research, evaluate and articulate key issues, stakeholder needs and a range of perspectives in relation to primary education practice in complex scenarios or across multiple domains of knowledge
- initiate, develop and manage learning programs, and to evaluate innovations, in the context of primary education.

Graduate skills
- a broad and deep knowledge of the theories and practice of learning, teaching and pedagogy, across multiple disciplines and methodological domains
- advanced and integrated knowledge of the key issues, policies and theoretical concepts impacting primary education in Australian and global contexts
- the capacity to reflect critically on, and synthesise, learning and to take responsibility and accountability for quality teaching and personal outputs in the context of primary education practice
- the capacity to use high levels of independent judgement to synthesise, integrate, justify and apply multiple domains of educational knowledge in novel or new situations in practice
- the capacity to research, evaluate and articulate key issues, stakeholder needs and a range of perspectives in relation to primary education practice in complex scenarios or across multiple domains of knowledge
- the ability to initiate, develop and manage learning programs, and to evaluate innovations, in the context of primary education practice.
Professional recognition
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are allocated to current students based on academic achievement during their studies. New commencing students will not be eligible for a CSP place.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year. Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent relevant in one or more areas of the Primary curriculum.
Additional Requirements
Casper test
All applicants (both standard entry and non-year 12 entry) must sit the Casper test. Casper is a non-academic online test designed to assess an applicant's personal and professional attributes. Please note Swinburne will consider Casper test results taken within the past year. It is an Australian Government accreditation requirement that all initial teacher education courses include non-academic selection criteria. To ensure you don’t miss the Casper test deadlines, register for your sitting or for further information about the test.
LANTITE: Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students
Admission to this course will consider both academic and non-academic results. Applicants applying to transfer from another initial teacher education course must disclose all LANTITE (National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students) attempts. Applicants who have unsuccessfully attempted the LANTITE three or more times will not be eligible to receive an offer.
All applicants must demonstrate suitable English language proficiency for successful completion of the course.
The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements. Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
Working with Children Check and Police Check
All enrolled students must maintain a current Working with Children Check (from the appropriate State Authority). A Police Check may also be required by a school prior to a placement. For a list of each state's requirements see www.careforkids.com.au/articlesv2/article.asp?ID=82.
How to apply
View the Informed Choices statement, which provides information about essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in nursing and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.
Find out more
Tel: 1300 069 765
Email: enquiries@swinburneonline.com