JCU's 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. This 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. Further information about placements can be found at Enrolment Policy – Coursework Students. All students must meet minimum literacy standards upon entry and completion as required by the Queensland College of Teachers. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Queensland College of Teachers in Australia, or should consult the relevant authority in their home country to establish the requirements for teacher training.

An appropriate bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution 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. Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of an overall score of 7.5 in Academic IELTS (or equivalent) with sub-scores no less than 8 for Speaking and Listening and no less than 7 for Reading and Writing.