UNE Course Handbook

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree or an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree and an AQF Level 8 or 9 postgraduate qualification, with a GPA of at least 3.50 in which they have completed the equivalent of one full academic year or eight units of study in a discipline area or discipline areas relevant to one or more of the following Key Learning Areas (KLAs):

English KLA
Communications, creative writing, English literature, language studies (English), linguistics, literature studies, media studies (ie the theoretical study of media or where the product is a literary text).

Mathematics KLA
Pure or applied mathematics; other studies of mathematics that are relevant to the central concepts, modes of enquiry and structure of the content/discipline(s) (only one unit of statistics may be counted); engineering units may be considered upon review of unit statements for appropriate mathematical content.

Science and Technology KLA
Agriculture; architecture; biology; bio-technology; chemistry; computing studies; design - interior, industrial, graphics, fashion, product, landscape (2 units only may be counted); design and technology; engineering/physics; geology; Earth and/or environmental science; materials science; medicine/nursing/biomedical science; psychology; or similar fields which include processes of inquiry, designing and producing.

Human Society and Its Environment KLA
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies, Aboriginal languages; anthropology and/or Sociology; archaeology; Asian or Pacific studies; economics/business studies; cultural studies; geography/environmental studies; government and citizenship; history; languages ; legal studies; political science; studies of religion.

Creative Arts KLA
Dance including practical experience in choreography and performance in various dance styles appropriate for primary contexts; drama including experiential involvement in making and performing drama; music including performing (singing, playing and moving), listening and organising sound (composing) incorporating a range of repertoire and approaches; visual arts including art making and art history/theory; fine arts.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) KLA
Physical education studies; health studies; family studies; health promotion; human movement studies; nutrition education; sports science.

Applicants who are 12 credit points short of meeting the prerequisite for KLA discipline knowledge may be permitted to enrol in the relevant curriculum units provided they enrol concurrently in the appropriate prerequisite discipline unit or units. All prerequisites must be passed prior to or concurrently with Master of Teaching (Primary) candidature. Such prerequisite discipline units are in addition to the program of study in the Master of Teaching; and

(b) satisfy the School of their suitability for teaching through the satisfactory completion of the Personal Statement for Initial Teacher Education Course Entry; and

(c) comply with the University's English Language Requirements for Courses in Education Accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Prospective candidates should only accept an offer of a place in this course if they are able to meet the following Fit for Practice requirements:

• abide by relevant UNE Rules and Procedures, for example, Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, and any relevant School of Education policies, for example, the Professional Experience Policy for professional placements;
• exercise sound judgement based on cognitive, mental and physical health and be able to respond appropriately to demands of teaching situations;
• demonstrate personal resilience and persistence to cope and maintain wellbeing under stressful situations;
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progression prior to professional placement;
• safeguard the University's integrity and demonstrate duty of care to students/children while engaged in professional experience;
• show personal maturity to ensure that a professional relationship is established with students/children;
• communicate to students/children with clarity and in an appropriate manner that relates to their age/profile;
• possess and model the literacy and numeracy skills expected of teachers in interactions they have within the classroom and broader settings;
• be able to create, evaluate and reflect on the physical and emotional safety of students/children in a variety of situations and environments; and
• be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and the broader school/early childhood community.

Candidates who have or who develop a disability that may or will prevent them from meeting the above professional experience requirements should contact Student Support to see if reasonable adjustments are practicable.

Candidates who have difficulties in meeting some of the above professional experience requirements will be required to contact the Office for Professional Learning to put in place remedial and/or counselling activities through a pro-active approach to improve their teaching practice.

(a) The maximum advanced standing shall be for units counting 48 credit points which are deemed to be equivalent to units offered by the University and approved for the course.
(b) There shall be no maximum to credit granted on the basis of education units completed at UNE which have not already counted to a completed qualification.

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Prior to undertaking a professional experience placement in a school setting, there are a number of mandatory requirements which must be fulfilled.

These requirements are subject to change. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for current information (including requirements for other states).

This course includes 60 days of Professional Experience undertaken in three core units. Candidates are required to pass mandatory literacy and numeracy tests prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.

A requirement of accreditation is that primary school professional placements must be undertaken in a school using NSW Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses and be assessing teaching proficiency against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Students may only complete up to 10% (6 days) of the required primary professional experience (practicum) days in primary schools not using NSW Education Standards Authority syllabuses or equivalent Australian syllabuses. Limited placements can occur in non-Australian settings in accordance with the NESA policy regarding overseas placements. Students are referred to the Office for Professional Learning - Professional Experience Placement webpage for further information. Students who are required to undertake professional experience placement must read, understand and adhere to the Professional Experience Policy of the School of Education.

Candidates are required to pass the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students prior to commencing their final professional experience placement.

International students and Australian citizens residing overseas should take particular note of the advice above re mandatory Australian settings for placements.

All students intending to enrol in units of study involving a practical experience placement or otherwise requiring interaction with children, will be required to obtain and maintain a NSW Working with Children Check clearance (or equivalent, depending upon relevant State requirements). The student is required to provide the University with appropriate evidence of their clearance, which will be verified at UNE. Relevant Government agencies will advise the University of any bar that may be placed upon a student, and UNE will respond accordingly.

All initial teacher education students must be trained in anaphylaxis management before they can undertake any professional experience in a school setting.

All teacher education students must complete online Child Protection and Awareness Training prior to commencing their first professional experience placement in a school setting.

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Any candidate who has not successfully passed the National Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students before their final professional placement may be asked to show cause why their candidature should not be discontinued.

Any candidate unable to pass the Teaching Performance Assessment will be transferred to another (non-teaching) course.

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Teaching (Primary).

Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the non-accredited, non-teaching qualification, Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies, on completion of 48 credit points at 300-level or above.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Teaching (Primary). This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University or external accreditation body requirements.

In the absence of a nominated exit pathway, or where a candidate is unable to complete the requirements of either the course or the nominated pathway, an alternative award may be able to be identified in consultation with the Course Coordinator.

Candidates are referred to the Assessment Appeals Guidelines.

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

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