Postgraduate Courses
Transforming Education, Transforming Lives
We offer a range of taught and research programmes to doctoral and masters level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development. The Institute courses are delivered in a context characterised by innovation and development, scholarship, research and excellence in teaching and learning. Embedded in our programmes is a deep commitment to equity, social justice and inclusion. Students who undertake our courses will have a formative impact on development within schools, workplaces and the broader education community. We see this as both a responsibility and a privilege, and work hard to ensure that our programmes meet your needs.
Initial Teacher Education
This programme equips students with the principles, curriculum knowledge and pedagogical understanding with which to begin their teaching careers as competent professionals. The programme is responsive to the changing contexts of primary education, offering student teachers opportunities to engage critically with the interface between society and education. As with any professional course, the Professional Master of Education is intensive and requires a considerable commitment from students. It is also a rewarding and interesting experience and you will find that you have been comprehensively prepared for your teaching career.
Course Information » DC970
The Professional Master of Education (Post Primary) is a full-time teacher education qualification delivered through evening and flexible learning modes for those who hold an approved undergraduate degree and wish to become a teacher in a post-primary school. The PME programme in DCU provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required for twenty-first century classrooms. The programme prepares teachers to respond to current curricular developments at second level and promotes teacher autonomy and collegiality in the design, delivery and assessment of curriculum. A wide range of teaching strategies and methodologies are used to encourage an equitable, student-centred and creative approach to teaching and learning.
Certificate and Diploma
The aim of the programme is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education in Catholic primary schools. Boards of Management in Catholic primary schools will normally require a qualification to teach Religious Education. The Certificate in Religious Studies (CRS) fulfils this condition of employment. As well as being a recognised qualification in Ireland, the CRS is also accepted by most Catholic elementary school in the UK, North America and Australia.
The aim of the programme will be to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with autistic pupils/pupils on the Autism Spectrum and, thereby, to contribute to the school’s overall capacity in this area.
The programme is one-year part-time blended course which runs from September to May and consists of 5 modules. It aims to enhance good autism practice for learners in a range of educational settings including primary, post primary and special schools. Indicative Modules are:
- Autism: Assessment Profiling and planning
- Autism: Planning Teaching and Learning (1 and 2)
- Understanding Autism
- Autism and Wellbeing across the continuum
Dublin City University's Institute of Education are delighted to offer our Graduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling as an outreach programme in Kilkenny.
This 1.5 year part-time programme is recognised by the DE and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) for professional practice as a guidance counsellor. The programme offers initial education and training in the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for practice in the interrelated areas of personal, education and career guidance counselling. A key element of the programme is the strong emphasis on reflective practice and personal growth facilitated by personal counselling, placement practice experience and professional supervision to support and enable personal and professional development.
The Graduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education is a one-year, part-time postgraduate diploma programme that aims to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers who work with learners deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.
It is delivered in a blended format. This involves attending lectures, seminars and workshops during eight weeks of block-release that is spread out over the course of one academic year. It also includes on-line learning, and attendance at a maximum of ten on-line evening classes during the year and supervised work in teachers’ own schools/centres. Learning also occurs during visits by course tutors to schools, in dedicated on-line sessions and through engagement with resources made available on DCU learning platforms. In order to participate in the programme, teachers will need access to a computer and broadband internet access.
The Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal and Health Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education SPHE/RSE, the first of its kind in an Irish context, is funded by the Department of Education (DE) under an initiative to provide pathways for progression for post-primary teachers and to build capacity and leadership within the teaching profession in relation to the teaching of SPHE/RSE. This innovative, one-year, part-time NFQ Level 9 post-graduate programme of continuing teacher professional development is specifically designed to upskill and enable registered post-primary teachers to acquire, develop and advance their core competencies in the teaching of SPHE/RSE at Junior and Senior Cycle levels. The programme purposely incorporates three areas of professional learning, namely; personal development, skills and knowledge. Alongside the development of specialist subject knowledge, a focus on teachers’ own personal development and on the development of a skills-set needed for the SPHE/RSE classroom are key components of this programme.
Course Information » DC971
The Professional Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education (ISE) has been developed by DCU to support teachers to meet the needs of all learners in an inclusive classroom. This fully online programme provides continuing professional development in a structured and sustained way at convenient times, in an easily accessible manner regardless of location, to support the practical application of skills learned at classroom level. It is a Level 9 programme on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
Course Information » DC979
Masters Level
The MA in Chaplaincy Studies and Pastoral Work course provides the academic, pastoral, spiritual, personal and professional development for those already working or wishing to work in the above contexts who seek to enrich their skills in the areas of Faith Development, Chaplaincy and Chaplaincy Coordination.
Course Information » DC980 (Full-time) | DC981 (Part-time)
The Master of Education is designed for educators who wish to pursue in-depth study in education for both professional and personal development. This programme offers the opportunity to educators to expand their knowledge within a special option. It combines educational theory and applied studies and assists learners in the development of up-to-date knowledge in a chosen area of specialisation and beyond. The programme incorporates current educational thinking and the most effective pedagogical practices within a wide range of contemporary educational issues. The key focus of the programme is that it offers students an opportunity to develop expertise in a chosen field, to critically reflect on your own practice and thinking, while also engaging with educational research and theory. The on-going commitment is to provide our students with the highest academic standards in teaching, learning and research, while supporting and fostering differing learning styles and needs.
The MEd is a two year part time programme. In the first year students undertake three core modules and three modules in their chosen special option, In the second year of the programme students undertake a thesis with the support of a supervising tutor.
The Masters of Education in Autism (MEdA) is a unique, part-time, blended, two-year programme focusing on the needs of educators working with children and young people with autism. Open to educators working in primary and post-primary schools, in special schools, classes or in other recognised educational centres, this part-time course is delivered in a blended format to make it accessible and sustainable for practicing teachers working in schools.
- Learners will develop a deep understanding regarding the strengths and profiles of pupils with autism, with an understanding of the role of whole school approaches in supporting inclusive education.
- Gain practical support and expert guidance in using assessment to inform accurate pupil profiles and facilitate individualised planning to support inclusive education.
- Learners will master a range of relevant research methods and complete a level 9 dissertation.
- Fee scholarships available for entrants and graduates of relevant postgraduate qualifications may be considered to enter the 2nd year.
The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is a two-year part time taught programme for educators who wish to pursue in-depth study in education for both professional and personal development. The programme is designed for those working to enhance children's learning and development, in the age range from birth to six years across the full diversity of early childhood settings, including the early years of primary school. The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education incorporates current educational research and theory and the most effective pedagogical practices within a wide range of contemporary educational issues.
The Master of Education in Literacy Professional Practice is designed for classroom teachers who are seeking to develop deep expertise in literacy theory, research and evidence-based practices. The programme of study draws on a wide variety of theoretical models and processes, perspectives, instructional models, curricular frameworks (including the New Primary Language Curriculum), and policies in relation to literacy. The course provides opportunities for participants to develop the capacity to critically analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect on this body of knowledge and to use it to design and implement developmentally appropriate and engaging reading and writing workshops that develop children as readers, writers and thinkers within the inclusive primary school and classroom. In addition to international research, examples of practices and professional development processes developed nationally in the Write to Read Literacy Project and the Séideán Sí Programme will also be shared. Opportunities will be presented to participants throughout the course to focus on Literacy Professional Practice in the Irish language if they wish to do so.
There is a particular emphasis on preparing participants to take on leadership roles in literacy, on developing participants’ capacity to evaluate school plans for literacy and to lead literacy planning and professional development within schools.
Modules address:
- Theoretical perspectives underpinning literacy development and instructional models to develop the cognitive, creative, aesthetic and affective dimensions of literacy in L1 and L2 (opportunities to focus on literacy trí Ghaeilge for participants who wish to)
- Modules on disciplinary knowledge, practice and perspectives on developing literacy across the curriculum
- Prevention and early intervention of literacy difficulties
- Development of literacy leadership skills to support schools in developing effective and culturally responsive whole school approaches to literacy
- A focus on an inquiry stance to literacy planning, teaching, learning and assessment and research skills required to engage in inquiry
- Research-to -practice Professional Portfolio (PPP) in Year 2.
Flexible Delivery
- Face-to-face: Friday evening/Saturdays (approximately one weekend per month)
- Blended/online: one module (research methods)
Queries Contact:
- Dr. Eithne Kennedy: Eithne.kennedy@dcu.ie (Programme director)
Course Information » Code DC921 (Part-time) | Frequently Asked Questions
The Master of Education in Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia) provides teachers with a high-quality level of professional knowledge and understanding, which enables them to teach students with dyslexia as well as carry out assessments for students who have a specific reading or writing difficulty and may have dyslexia. On completion of course requirements, students are also eligible for associate membership of the British Dyslexia Association (AMBDA). The programme addresses three core areas of knowledge and practice:
- understanding the development of language and literacy learning
- identifying and assessing specific learning difficulties/dyslexia
- managing curriculum-based interventions and evidence-based practice and support.
The Masters in Special Educational Needs (MSEN) is a blended programme open to qualified experienced teachers working in primary and post-primary schools, in special schools or classes or in other recognised educational centres. Applicants must already have completed a recognised postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education. The aim of the programme is to develop teachers' knowledge and skills in analysing, critiquing and applying research literature in the area of special and inclusive education and in carrying out research relevant to children and young people with learning difficulties or special educational needs.
The MSc. in Education and Training Management (eLearning) is a two-year part-time programme. Current participants on the programme are drawn from the widely varying fields of education (primary, post-primary, third level, adult education), corporate training, industry, health, professional organisations, NGO's, government departments and state agencies.
Previous participants, who took part in a recent programme survey, highlighted the safe and collaborative learning environment; a supportive structure enabled participants to flourish creatively and become leaders of change in their organisations. The practical and student-centered approach to learning was also revealed insofar as the course is tailored to meet practitioners' needs in the workplace.
Return on Investment
Past graduates have highlighted the following benefits:
- Career development i.e. promotions or opening up of new career opportunities
- Application of multi-media and digital skills
- Specialist knowledge: theories of learning, philosophy, implications of brain research to learning, instructional design, change management, reflective practice and computational thinking
- Personal development i.e. increased confidence and sense of well-being
Participants are invited to participate in the research activities organised by the International Centre for Innovation and Workplace Learning.
The Institute offers the two-year part-time M.Sc. in Education and Training Management Leadership programme. It is suitable for those working as, or aspiring to be, leaders in education and training contexts. In the current context the strategic leadership of education and training will be vital to the economic and social goals that have been established for Ireland. Current participants on the programme are drawn from the widely varying fields of education (primary, post-primary, third level, adult education), corporate training, industry, nursing, government departments and other state agencies.
Course Information » DC900
The overall aim of the M.Sc. in Guidance Counselling two year part-time programme is to provide students with a standard of excellence in the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for practice in the field of personal, education and career guidance and counselling. This professional programme will suit those already working indirectly in these three areas, without a recognised qualification and those seeking to establish a career and therefore need to undergo initial education and training. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including second level teaching, adult education and HR.
Course Information » DC906
Doctorate
Course Information » DCE49 | Areas of Professional Focus Information