Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) prepares teachers to critically respond to the challenges of northern Queensland and the Tropics, through a theoretically informed practice-based approach with provision for learning experiences in urban, rural and remote school-community environments.

The course is a four phase (two year) developmentally sequenced professional preparation for those holding at least a first degree and who value learning about, as well as contributing to, the diverse needs and aspirations of learners and communities.

The course is offered on campus in Townsville and Cairns, and externally (online with internal options) with a mandatory one-week residential block during Orientation week. Students who study externally can elect to enrol in individual subjects internally.

The Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) course includes a prescribed professional placement in primary schools in each of the first three phases of the course for a total of 60 placement days, a 20-day extended capstone in the final phase and school based experiences with primary students in selected subjects within the course. Graduate teachers may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense.

All students must meet minimum literacy standards upon entry and completion as required by the Queensland College of Teachers.

Applicants to James Cook University’s Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) will need a completed Bachelor degree (or equivalent) that does not lead to teacher registration (with a minimum GPA of 4.0 on a 7-point scale), which includes the equivalent of full year of study in areas appropriate to curriculum demands of primary teaching in Australian schools; that is subjects that link to the national school curriculum (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)) content in English, technologies, mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences, The Arts, health and physical education.

All applicants for initial teacher education courses must satisfy both academic and non-academic entry criteria. Applicants’ non-academic capabilities will be assessed by way of an instrument applied by QTAC and developed in consultation with the Australian Council of Deans of Education.

All students must meet minimum literacy and numeracy standards upon entry and completion.

James Cook University’s Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) is nationally accredited through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in association with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT). Graduates of this course are eligible for Teacher registration in Australia.

Graduates of James Cook University’s Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary) are eligible to apply for licensing in Canada, however, it is critical students understand the requirements needed to complete this process before licensing will be granted. KOM Consultants understand the process and requirements needed to enter the teaching profession in Canada.  All students applying directly through KOM will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.