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School of Physical Sciences

Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics

Course Code:
DC769
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level
8 - Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Modes
Part-Time
Duration
2 Years
call programme contact
+353 (0) 1
700 5862

The Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics is designed to upskill post-primary teachers to meet current Teaching Council subject requirements in Physics at the highest level.  This programme is approved by the Department of Education & Skills and this Award is delivered by DCU in collaboration with the University of Limerick & NUI Galway. The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills.  Registered post-primary teachers who successfully complete the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics (PDITP) will be deemed to meet the Teaching Council’s post-primary curricular subject requirements for Physics.

The programme will ensure that successful candidates:

  • Acquire the theoretical and experimental knowledge of physics as well as pedagogical content knowledge that is necessary for effective physics teaching at post-primary level;
  • Demonstrate an ability to connect physics content modules and the school physics curriculum;
  • Develop a high standard of practical competence in physics teaching as reflective practitioners during their programme of study.

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.  Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the national strategy to support the implementation of STEM education and improve standards in physics education in post-primary schools by increasing the numbers of qualified teachers of physics.

 

This programme will be offered on a part-time basis and will deliver 75 ECTS of programme modules over two academic years, commencing in January. All modules will be assessment on the basis on 100% continuous assessment. The programme will align to the DCU academic calendar. Students will complete 10 Physics lecture-based modules (10 x 5 ECTS) which will have a hybrid delivery with 24 hours of online lectures (asynchronous) and 24 hours of online tutorials (synchronous) for each module over each semester - timetabled on Mondays 6pm-8pm and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm. Year 1: Spring Semester: Mechanics, Waves/Light/Modern Physics & Thermal Physics Year 1: Autumn Semester: Electricity, Modern Physics Year 2:Spring Semester: Environmental Physics, Semiconductor Devices & Life, the Universe and everything, Year 2: Autumn Semester: Electricity and Magnetism & Optics Students will also complete 10 ECTS of experimental-based modules over the two years. Laboratory investigations will be facilitated on campus in Dublin/Limerick/Galway for three Saturdays during each academic term. Students will complete 15 ECTS credits of physics pedagogy modules. These modules will require participation in two weeks of summer schools in Year 1 and coursework to be submitted in July 2024. Teachers will be supported to carry out an inquiry on their own practice throughout Year 2 and attend online workshops and a 1 day summer school in May 2025. In June 2024, students are required to attend pedagogy summer schools which will be facilitated online 9:30am - 4:00pm daily. PS473: 4-day Summer School: 10-13 June 2024 PS474: 5-day Summer School: 17-21 une 2024

Graduates will be qualified to teach post-primary physics at the highest level.

Requirements

For admission to the Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics programme, successful applicants must have:

  • An honours undergraduate degree at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent.
  • Minimum H4 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) OR 5 ECTS credits in mathematics at NFQ level 6 or above, if not already demonstrated at at NFQ level 8 or equivalent / greater.
  • Full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary.
  • A completed self-declaration form.

Fees

The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the national strategy to support the implementation of STEM education and improve standards in physics education in post-primary schools by increasing the numbers of qualified teachers of physics.

Upon acceptance of an offer participants pay a deposit of €250 to secure a place on the programme. This deposit will be refunded to those who complete the programme in full or to those who withdraw from the programme within the first two months.

Next Steps

To apply for this programme:

  • All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.  Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
  • When applications open you will need to provide:
  • Academic Transcripts, NFQ Level 8 or equivalent / greater, for each and every year of study.  (These should demonstrate mathematics requirement if not demonstrated at Leaving Certificate level, include English language translation, if applicable).
  • Copy of passport.
  • Leaving Certificate Results or equivalent indicating a minimum of H4 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent) for 5 ECTS credits in mathematics at NFQ Level 6 or above, if not already demonstrated at at NFQ level 8 or equivalent / greater.
  • Proof of full current registration as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council for Education Sector = Route 2 Post Primary, dated within 2023. (To do this you need to logon to the Teaching Council Portal and download your current registration certificate.) Candidates who have conditional Teaching Council registration e.g. Droichead or pending completion of the History of Irish Education Module do not meet the programme requirements, and any offer made will be conditional pending receipt of proof of full registration no later than December 31st 2023.
  • Please upload a completed Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics self-declaration form confirming that your existing qualifications are not sufficient to meet Teaching Council criteria for the purposes of teaching physics at post-primary level. Completed and signed Self Declaration Form
  • If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.  Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.

Once your application form is complete please submit, you will then be prompted to upload supplementary documentation which you must do before your application can be reviewed.

  • Please be aware that if you have uploaded supplementary documentation previously as part of an earlier application then it will be considered unless you choose to replace it with a more recent version via the application portal.

Application Deadlines

Offers to complete and eligible applications will be made on a first come first served basis until the programme reaches capacity. All required documentation must be submitted before the application can be reviewed.

  • Closing date for applications is 7th January 2024.
  • The programme will align to DCU academic calendar and commence in January 2024.

Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Application Review Process

  • Completed applications will be reviewed as received and offers will be issued up to the closing date or until the programme is at capacity.
  • In line with the terms of the HEA funding, candidates who meet any of the following criteria will be prioritised for admission 
    • those undertaking the full award
    • those teaching physics out of field
    • unemployed teachers
    • those not in full employment
  • Candidates who do not meet the criteria above will be considered after the closing date if places are still available
  • All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application through the DCU applications system.
  • Only completed application forms with all supporting documents received will be considered.

Application Queries

For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
 

Commencement of Programme

The programme commences in January 2024.