Professional Master of Education

Course details

Do you believe that your efforts and commitments can inspire a young person to achieve great things?

As a teacher in a second-level school, it is the quality of the relationships that you form with your students that will define their experience of school and encourage, enlighten and challenge them to achieve the highest standards possible for themselves.

Without doubt schools in Ireland are now defined by a diversity of races, faiths, cultures, social and economic backgrounds. If you think you have the courage to work in this way then you should consider becoming a teacher.

By contributing to the development of a young person's values and character you influence not just the quality of one person's life but the quality of the whole of society.

The Professional Master of Education addresses the need for a flexible evening teacher education qualification for those who hold an approved undergraduate degree and who wish to become teachers in second-level schools.

Aims and Objectives:

The Professional Master of Education programme is a programme of study for Graduate Student Teachers who wish to become second-level teachers.

The Programme aims:

• To develop reflective caring teachers who are fully prepared to embark on the complex career of teaching in second-level schools.
• To develop in Graduate Student Teachers the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for the teaching profession in relation to teaching, learning and assessment, curriculum development, pastoral care and classroom management.
• To instil in Graduate Student Teachers a recognition of the importance of an equitable, student-centred approach to teaching and learning and the ability to deliver this within their own teaching.
• To enable Graduate Student Teachers select from and apply a range of teaching methodologies, and pastoral care strategies appropriate to different subjects and contexts.
• To develop in Graduate Student Teachers pedagogical skills in their subject specialism(s) at an advanced level, including knowledge and skills that are appropriate to their work as subject teachers at second-level.
• To develop in Graduate Student Teachers the ability to enquire critically and to reflect actively on their teaching and professional practice, and to recognise the importance of this in their own lifelong learning.
• To develop in Graduate Student Teachers the ability to design, implement and evaluate a range of evidence based research interventions which will act as method for integrating theory and practice across a range of educational contexts - including, but not limited to, school placement and University based activities.
• To develop in Graduate Student Teachers the capacity and desire to engage in continuous professional development and lifelong learning in relation to being a teacher.

Programme Structure:

The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme starts in September each year, with lectures held at DCU on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm and online on a third evening. Graduate Student Teachers will participate in lectures, shared seminars, workshops and study in groups to develop their abilities in two subject pedagogies. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that upon completion of the programme you meet the General and Special Requirements of the Teaching Council in order to be able to register as a teacher of your chosen subject in a second-level school in Ireland. Students who's degree qualifies them in just one teaching subject will still be required to take a second teaching method module for the purposes of completing the PME programme.

In Year 1, you take seven modules, attracting a total of 50 credits (ECTS). In Year 2, seven modules are undertaken across both semesters, attracting 70 credits. Each module is continuously assessed, with terminal examination as appropriate. Continuous assessment is by projects, case studies, papers, presentations, reports and computer-based assignments, where relevant.

The following subject specialisms are included in the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme: English, Gaelige, Mathematics, Languages, Science (incl. Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Religious Education, History, Geography, CSPE, Accountancy, Music and Business.

School Placement

This programme includes a supervised school placement during which you will practice classroom teaching and participate in the general life of a school. You must undertake a minimum of 250 hours of teaching in a classroom, as well as systematic observation and participation in school life. Graduate Student Teachers are required to undertake two placements during the programme, one in each year. The placement is spread across all four semesters of the PME programme.

Why DCU:

• DCU is the largest centre for education and training in Ireland.
• We take a modern and creative approach to teacher education.
• We link initial teacher education programmes to professional development.
• DCU graduates in teacher education are highly regarded.

International Applications

International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Career Prospects:

While most of our graduates will work as teachers in voluntary secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools, others will pursue further studies in education and related fields, such as guidance, pastoral care, school leadership and management. Others again will work in, Further Education, Higher Education, government departments and other education and training settings.

As this course is fully recognised by the Teaching Council, graduates will receive appropriate salary allowances for permanent positions in second-level schools and further education colleges.

Entry Requirements:

Applications have closed for the 2015/2016 academic year.

Applicants will normally hold at least a primary degree that complies with the Teaching Council' Curricular Subject Requirement for at least one subject from the second-level school's curriculum. In addition you must have the following.

• Two references (including current or most recent employer)
• Guaranteed placement with 12-18 year olds in a recognised school/college
• Be available to attend for interview prior to the start of the programme
• Relevant experience (desirable)

Applicants MUST complete and return the following four supplementary forms with your PAC number directly ot Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway within 14 days of making your application online:

• Consent Form
• Reference Form
• Subject Form
• Placement Form

Applicants must also consult the Teaching Council' Curricular Subject Requirements for the subject(s) they wish to teach and complete the relevant Teaching Council' Subject Declaration Form which should be returned with the above forms with your PAC number directly to Postgraduate Applications Centre, 1 Courthouse Square, Galway within 14 days of making your application.

Please note that canvassing of any kind will disqualify an applicant. Furthermore, we do not discuss any aspect of an application with third parties. All offers of a place on the PME programmes will be made through the email address you provide with your online application. It is your responsibility to monitor your PAC account for a change in status. Those who are placed on waiting lists should be particularly mindful of this and all applicants who are offered a place on the programme should ensure that they confirm acceptance by the due date otherwise the place will be offered to the next applicant on the waiting list.