Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs (pgdsen)

*Important Notice*

The Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs will be offered in the School of Education, NUI Galway in 2012/2013. The D.E.S. Circular has now been published.  Click on the links below to access a PDF copy of the Circular and Application Form.  

Circular 0013/2012
Combined Post-Graduate Diploma Programme of Continuing Professional Development for Teachers involved in Learning Support and Special Education – 2012/2013

Imlitir 0013/2012
Comhchlár Dioplóma Iarchéime um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil Leantach do Mhúinteoirí atá ag obair i dTacaíocht Foghlama agus Oideachas Speisialta – 2012/2013

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd April 2012.

If you require further information please contact either Pat Eaton (tel: 091-492369 / email: patricia.eatonnuigalway.ie)
or Andrea Higgins, (tel: (087) 677 2523 / email: andrea.higginsnuigalway.ie )

Introduction 

In order to assist all schools and educational services in meeting the needs of pupils requiring learning support and the teaching of pupils with special educational needs, a combined post-graduate diploma programme of training has been offered to teachers since September 2006.  This programme is supported by the Department of Education and Skills under the National Development Plan and provides a recognised post-graduate qualification for all teachers working in the areas of special educational needs and learning support.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be graduates and qualified teachers presently employed or about to be employed as learning support teachers or teachers working with special educational needs in mainstream primary or post-primary schools, special classes, special units/schools and other relevant settings.

How to apply: Application forms can be downloaded from the links at the top of this page or directly from the D.E.S website through the following link:  http://www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/circular_listing_2012.htm 

Completed application forms must be submitted to Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, School of Education, NUI, Galway by the closing date (see under *Important Notice* above). 

Please note: The School of Education, NUI Galway is not responsible for the content contained on external internet sites.

Aims and Content of the Course 

The aim of the programme is to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs and for teachers working with those pupils requiring learning support.

The broad content of the course at NUI, Galway has been agreed with the Department of Education and Skills and will comprise the following modules. 

Module 1.   Inclusion: Perspectives and Implications for Practice 

Module 2.   Assessment, Planning and Applications

Module 3.   Curricular Issues for Special Educational Needs

Module 4.   Implications of Educational Disability

Module 5.   Specialist Study  

The course runs from early September until May and involves release with substitute cover from schools/centres for designated block periods (a total of eight weeks over the academic year) to attend lectures and workshops at the University. In addition, teachers will be required to attend lectures and workshops at the University on some Saturdays. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers’ own schools/centres and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery.

Teaching

This is a very practical course. It is delivered by a core team supported by a cohort of guest lecturers and practitioners with a wide range of expertise. Inclusive approaches to teaching and learning are discussed and demonstrated and teachers are supported in implementing them in their schools. Participants are encouraged to engage actively with the programme and a constant emphasis is placed on developing the skills required to become effective reflective practitioners in the field of special educational needs.

Assessment

Assessment is based on successful practice in the classroom and a number of course work assignments. 

For further Information, please contact:

Pat Eaton, Course Director, Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, School of Education, NUI Galway.
Telephone:  (091) 492369
Email: patricia.eatonnuigalway.ie

Andrea Higgins, Deputy Director, Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, School of Education, NUI Galway
Telephone: (087) 677 2523 
Email: andrea.higginsnuigalway.ie

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