Education - Post Graduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs

Course details

The Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is a full-time programme running for 9 months from the date of first registration for the programme designed for primary and post-primary teachers.

Teachers will be released from their schools for 8 weeks during the academic year to attend lectures and seminars in the University. In addition, teachers will be supervised in their schools during the portion of the academic year when they return to their teaching duties. Teachers will also be required to undertake action research and case study work in their schools, all of which will form an integral part of the programme.

Course Details

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

• ED6201 Special Educational Needs - School Organisation and Practice (10 credits)
• ED6202 Assessment for and of Inpidual Pupil Learning and Attainment (10 credits)
• ED6203 Curriculum Provision and Teaching Methodologies for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (10 credits)
• ED6204 Supporting Pupils with Additional Learning Needs (10 credits)
• ED6205 Contemporary Issues in Special Educational Needs (10 credits)
• ED6206 Developing Inclusive Practice and Provision (10 credits)

Attendance

Satisfactory attendance at lectures, workshops and seminars is required.

Examination

• In order to be eligible for admission to the University Examination for the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, a candidate must have satisfactorily pursued the prescribed programme of study, and satisfactorily undertaken a supervised school practicum, evaluated by the Education Department staff, on a Pass/Fail basis.
• Each module is assessed by continuous assessment (and in ED6201 by supervised school practicum) and candidates must pass each module. Candidates may be required to attend for oral examination.

Entry Requirements

• This programme is for all serving teachers including those who provide Learning Support and Resource Teaching in recognised Primary schools, Post-Primary schools, and other recognised Educational Services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply.
• Priority will be given to teachers who meet the criteria below and who have not already attended a similar post-graduate programme for Learning Support teachers or teachers of pupils with Special Educational Needs approved by the Department of Education and Skills.
• Please note that teachers will not be eligible to take up a place or continue on the programme unless the necessary hours and facilities to enable full participation are provided in their own school setting.

Course Practicalities

• The course runs in the academic year from September 2015 to May 2016 and involves a total of eight weeks block release from school, four week-ends, distance learning, and supervised work in the teachers' own school. 
• Teachers will also be required to undertake action reseach and case study work in their schools, all of which will form an integral part of the programme.

Examination

In order to be eligible for admission to the University Examination for the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, a candidate must have satisfactorily pursued the prescribed programme of study, and satisfactorily undertaken a supervised school practicum, evaluated by the School of Education staff, on a Pass/Fail basis.