Postgraduate Education Courses

The programme aims to develop graduates who:

• Are competent, professional and knowledgeable in their approach to teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment;
• Become adaptive experts and critically reflective practitioners who continue to grow and learn throughout their careers;
• Facilitate the holistic development of all children in terms of their emotional, social, personal, physical, creative, spiritual and intellectual capacities, promoting their agency across all areas of school life;
• Recognise and meet the needs of all learners with insight,…

The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme starts in late August each year. Students are required to complete an Induction Programme which runs in advance of formal lectures. Formal lectures begin in September and are held in DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and online components.

School Placement

The programme includes two school placements. Students complete placement in one school in Year 1 and in a different school in Year 2. Placements can…

The aim of this programme is to develop the knowledge skills and expertise of teachers, thus enhancing the provision of appropriate education for autistic children and young people. 

Understanding Autism: aims to provide a foundation in the history, concept and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder, causes and prevalence will also be considered. Students will explore the diversity across the spectrum and reflect in an informed manner on the implications of autism in an educational context.

Autism: Assessment, Profiling and Planning: …

This 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.

This course is offered in a blended format, with on campus learning in DCU, St Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra, combined with some online learning days. Please note, on campus learning days are not offered in a hybrid format, therefore…

The aim of the programme is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education in Catholic primary schools.

 The overall aim of this 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;

You will be educated and trained to develop a systematic and coherent framework for practice within your organisation;

Through strong reflective practice, you are encouraged and supported to develop responsibility for personal and professional development, and learn how to identify and mobilise resources across a network of external…

The overall aim of this programme is to support primary and post-primary mainstream subject/class teachers, and special education teachers to develop inclusive practice. In particular, the programme aims to provide an opportunity for teachers to develop knowledge, skills and competencies in key areas of inclusive and special educational provision and planning at school and class level. It also aims to create a community of learners who will communicate and collaborate with each other in support of the teaching and learning of all learners , including those with special educational needs…

This programme is open to all serving teachers who are employed in a position funded by the DE and who teach, and will continue to teach, SPHE/RSE in recognised Post-Primary schools. No fees or registration changes will apply to participants on the programme, who will continue to receive their salary in the usual way during their participation. Substitution cover will be supported by the DE through block release days, up to four weeks/20 days across the duration of the programme, from the school in which the participant works. A blended approach to programme provision will be employed,…

The Masters in Education and Training Management (Leadership) programme is a two-year part-time programme. This is a blended programme that takes place on selected Wednesday evenings from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and on selected Saturdays. The  programme commences in late September. The Graduate Diploma element of the programme consists of 6 modules and runs over 3 semesters. The dissertation element is a piece of independent research that takes place in the second year of the programme.

Justine Carty graduated from the programme in October 2022.  She believes DCU “is a progressive and…

Year Two Entry

Successful applicants who have completed the Department of Education funded postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or  special education at DCU will be required to complete an additional 30 credits  for the award of MEdEN. The 30 credits are normally completed within one academic year and comprise one 10 credit module and a 20 credit thesis. The 10 credit module focuses on research methodologies and is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students will also complete a 20…

The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is a two-year, part time, taught programme delivered on campus and online (blended). In Year 1, students undertake five modules:

• Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education (blended)
• Leading and Mentoring for Professional Practice (online)
• Children's Participation in Early Childhood Education and Care (blended)
• Qualitative Research Methods (online)
• Quantitative Research Methods (online)

Online lectures normally take place on…

The Masters of Education in Autism is designed to meet the professional and personal needs of educators seeking to acquire deep expertise in the area of evidence informed education for autistic pupils. There is a particular focus on the translation of research evidence and theory into best practices in schools.

Graduates will develop the skills and knowledge to effectively collaborate with others and lead the development of a culture of inclusion for autistic pupils in primary, post-primary or special schools, and other recognised educational centres.

Aims of the…

The MEd is a two year part time programme. In the first year students undertake three core modules (Online) 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 programme commences in late September. Students will study two modules in semester one and four modules in semester two. All taught modules will be completed by June, and the minor thesis will be submitted by June. Lectures take place on Tuesday and Thursdays. Each module consists of 21 contact hours…

The overall aim of this 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;

You will be educated and trained to develop a systematic and coherent framework for practice within your organisation;

Through strong reflective practice, you are encouraged and supported to develop responsibility for personal and professional development, and learn how to identify and mobilise resources across a network of external agencies and the…

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, and policies in relation to literacy. 

Three core modules in year one examine a range of theoretical perspectives and models underpinning literacy development in relation to the creative, aesthetic and affective dimensions of literacy as well as…

The programme aims to build capacity in schools in the area of SpLD/Dyslexia and to develop teachers who would be expected to:

• Select, administer and interpret detailed diagnostic assessments and use appropriate psychometric tools
• Effectively identify and use appropriate strategies, interventions and approaches to support learners with Dyslexic-type difficulties
• Provide expert advice to parents and professionals in different settings and at all levels
• Support mainstream teachers, contribute to the effective working of multi-disciplinary teams and lead…

DC980: one year full time programme, Monday evenings and Tuesday lectures and a placement of 18-20 hours per week of the academic year.
DC 981; two year part time programme, Monday evening lectures and a placement of 6 hours per week of the academic year.
Both programmes require attendance on 8 Saturdays during the academic year.

The MA in Chaplaincy Studies and Pastoral Work aims to develop graduates who:

• Understand, and are able to apply knowledge from theological, and educational disciplines to the work of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work
• Apply current…

The course is offered through a blended approach whereby participants benefit from synchronous web conferencing and face-to-face settings. A defining aspect of the programme is learning together as participants are encouraged to collaboratively reflect on and share their learning through a range of activities and social networking.

The Masters in Education and Training Management (e-Learning) programme is a two-year part-time programme.  The start date for the programme is late September. The Graduate Diploma element of the programme consists of 6 modules and runs over 3 semesters.…

It is also intended that the participants will have an opportunity to:

• Situate their learning and research within their own professional practice 
• Develop problem-solving skills for authentic and critical problems of practice in partnership with others;
• Apply their learning to their professional practice and/or context;
• Develop project management and time management skills; 
• Develop and enhance their leadership potential as well as the skills appropriate for collaboration, networking, and teamwork and communication skills;
• Develop…