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Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies

**** Not on offer in 2012/2013****

 A two stage modular programme 

Please click on this link to view explanatory diagram

The School of Education of NUI Galway provides a modular and staged post-graduate programme leading to a Master in Education. The programme structure enables you to pursue your in-career professional development in a flexible manner, in keeping with international best practice in an era of lifelong learning. The programme design allows participants to explore advances in education theory, policy and practice and to develop new specialised skills.  It is also designed to build on each participant’s previous involvement in professional development through the recognition of prior learning - both certified and experiential -in accordance with NUI, Galway’s policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Stage 1:  Participants first take a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (PDPES) or equivalent .

This is a one year course which combines academic study with the development of professional practice in the field of education. Modules are offered at times which facilitate participation by practicing professionals in education. Professional Practice features as a core module and participants may select five elective modules from those on offer for that year. We aim to offer a high degree of flexibility and personal programming for participants choosing their modules. The award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (PDPES) will be conferred on those who complete the programme to the required standard.

Stage 2:  Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (PDPES) (and equivalent awards) are eligible to apply to the Master of Education (M.Ed.). 

This one year part-time programme is also open to holders of an award equivalent to the PDPES. There are a number of relevant post-graduate, in-service or continuing professional development courses on offer in NUI Galway and other higher education institutions in Ireland and elsewhere (e.g. in the areas of Learning Support, Special Educational Needs, School Planning, Education Leadership, Adult Education, Career Guidance, TEFL). The diversity of routes into this stage of our post-graduate programme brings with it all the benefits of a dynamic learning community.

The Master of Education builds on your previous qualifications and is designed primarily to enable you to design and carry out educational research to a high professional standard. The course includes a taught element in research methodologies aimed at enhancing your research skills and helping you to develop a research proposal for a minor dissertation. Given the nature of the programme, there is a particular emphasis on self-directed learning and research time, with appropriate support from departmental staff and a personal supervisor.

The valuable feature of the NUI, Galway pathway is that it serves as a two-step rather than a one-step commitment, with the option of stopping off with the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies – a valuable award in its own right.

As a continuing professional development programme aimed at practitioners, core elements of both the PDPES and M.Ed programme generally take place on Friday evenings and/or Saturdays, and at other times (e.g. weekday evenings or mid-terms) which enable engagement by practicing professionals, makine use of educational technology to facilitate and support blended learning.  

• Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (M.Ed. Stage 1)  Level 9 (NFQ)

• Degree of Master of Education  (M.Ed. Stage 2)  Level 9 (NFQ)

Please Note: This information should not be viewed as the basis of a contract between students and the university.  The University reserves the right to amend courses or regulations at any time without notice. 

further information:

Administrative Office,
School of Education,
National University of Ireland, Galway,
University Road,
Galway. 
Email: educationnuigalway.ie 
Tel: 353 (0)91 492195    

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The Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (PDPES) Level 9 (NFQ)

(Stage 1 of the Master of Education)

PDPES commencing September 2010  (September to May)

Note: Taught elements of the programme are offered generally on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Some modules may be offered at other times suited to qualified educational practitioners (e.g. weekday evenings or mid-term).

Rationale 

Innovation and change in education policy and practice has profound implications for educational practitioners in the 21^st century. Changes arise from developments such as curriculum reform and the introduction of new subjects, advances in teaching and learning, emphasis on effective leadership and management, policies and strategies for catering for diversity, the widening use of educational technologies and new legislation.  The renewed emphasis on professionalism is closely connected with the establishment of the Teaching Council as the statutory body for the teaching profession. These developments present a myriad of challenges and opportunities for those seeking to respond professionally and creatively to the demands of the changing educational landscape and school context. This modular programme aims to respond flexibly to the continuing professional development needs of educational practitioners. It is designed to foster an enhanced appreciation of the theoretical foundations of education, provide an insight into recent developments in education theory, policy and practice and afford the opportunity to study chosen specialist areas in depth. 

The Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies (PDPES) is specifically designed to meet the in-career professional development needs of those working in an educational setting; primary, post-primary, further or higher education. It is a one year part-time taught course which combines academic study with the development of professional practice in the field of education. It also provides a foundation for those seeking to progress to the Master in Education.  The programme offers a high degree of flexibility and personal programming for participants, including provision for the accreditation of prior learning.

Programme aims

The Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies provides participants with the opportunity to

o       develop an enhanced understanding of theoretical foundations of education as they pertain to their professional practice

o       gain critical insight, in-depth knowledge and practical skills in selected specialist areas

o       appreciate the complexity and diversity of the educational context

o       reflect on their practice, personally and through a process of collaborative and critical engagement.

o       interrogate the concept of professionalism in education

o       develop transferable skills such as in academic writing, IT, library searching and communication

o       identify potential avenues for educational research

The programme aims to provide participants from a range of professional backgrounds with the opportunity to explore advances in education theory, policy and practice. Participants will explore theoretical perspectives on their professional practice and/or organizational context in collaboration with the programme team and other course participants. There is a strong emphasis on development of skills of academic writing, literature searching and the acquisition of transferable skills, including critical analysis and communication skills. Special emphasis is placed on the promotion of reflective practice. Work based learning is the primary learning mode for the Professional Practice element of the programme, based within the individual’s site of professional practice

 

Programme organisation

(Note: course content is subject to change; not all modules are offered each year).

The programme is organised on a modular basis and combines a taught element with reflective professional practice in the field of education. It is comprised of three components, totalling 60 ECTS credits.

Postgraduate Diploma  in Professional Education Studies (PDPES)	ECTS
Professional Practice	10	Core module
Five elective modules from list of approved modules, subject to availability	50	Electives modules
TOTAL	60

 Students are encouraged to select a set of cognate modules to form an area of specialisation which may provide the basis for research at Master’s level. The following modules have been offered in the past or have been approved for inclusion in this programme.

PDPES modules

The following modules have been offered in the past or are approved for inclusion in the programme.

Not all modules are be offered in any year.

Modules on offer for 2010-11 will be selected from this list, subject to availability of resources.

Modules will form subject to a minimum enrolment.

PDPES Modules 10 ECTS each
Adult and further education Catering for diversity Coordination of ICT in educational settings Contemporary issues in Maths Education Curriculum studies Education and law Education policy in context Educational leadership and management European language Studies Foundations of education Gender and education: theory and practice ICT and Mathematics education	Literacy and language across the curriculum Mentoring in practice Pedagogies for citizenship education Science education Sociology of education Special educational needs: diversity and inclusion Teaching and learning in teacher education Teaching for active learning Professional practice (Core module) Psychology of education Understanding and managing challenging behaviours

Click here to view a brief description of each module.

Detailed module outlines will be available to participants at commencement of the programme

Note: A selection of these modules will be on offer in 2010. Modules will form subject to a minimum enrolment.

Programme fee, (for academic year 2009-10)

E.U. students: €4,939.00*                               Non-E.U. students: €13,000*

*Subject to ratification: Please note: fees are correct at the time of print, but are subject to change (E&OE); non-E.U. fees must be paid in full prior to registration. Refer to NUI, Galway Fees Office to confirm fees.

Application

Applications to this programme are made online via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC). Relevant PAC application code is GYA47.

Alternatively, go to http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/making_application.html which has detailed information on the postgraduate applications process, and an onward link to PAC from there.

For further details contact http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/

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

Minimum entry requirements

a)  Primary degree and

b) Teaching qualification or equivalent and

c) Three years teaching or relevant experience

Selection criteria

Selection is based on (i) applicant’s prior academic achievement in the qualifying awards (ii) the duration and breadth of professional experience in education and related areas and (iii) their personal statement (indicating e.g. learning goals or areas of interest as potential areas of research, where relevant).  Two references are required; one academic and one professional.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (e.g. essays, assignments, case studies, oral presentations, multi-media, portfolios, projects as appropriate) will be used for all modules – 6,000 words or equivalent student workload for 10 ECTS.  Learning portfolios (or other appropriate tools) will be used for those seeking RPL.

Marks and Standards

The award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Education Studies will be made at:  

First Class Honours (H1)                         70 - 100%
Second Class Honours, Grade 1 (H2.1)    60 - 69% 
Second Class Honours, Grade 2 (H2.2)    50 - 59%
Pass                                                     40 - 49%

for performance at the requisite level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is a process that allows students to gain admission to a programme of study or to gain exemptions/credit from some parts of a programme, based on demonstrated learning achieved prior to admission. NUI Galway recognizes that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences, including formal, non-formal and informal.  This is in line with the goal of the National Framework of Qualifications, which aims to recognise all learning achievements by supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning. NUI Galway (2008) Recognition of Prior Learning, Draft Policies and Practice

 (i) Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning: RP(C)L – involves the award of exemptions for part/s of a programme for previously completed accredited programmes. This facility may be relevant for participants wishing to progress through the framework, partly on the strength of previously completed accredited programmes (e.g. in Education Centres or other institutions of higher education). 

 (ii) Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning: RP(E)L – involves awarding credit for learning from experience which has not already been formally accredited. Applicants provide evidence of experiential learning to support their claim for admission, exemption, or credit.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the PDPES have applied their learning to their professional practice in a reflective and critical manner, availing of the opportunities for career progression in a range of areas of educational and academic leadership.  Graduates of the PDPES are eligible to apply to the Master in Education, where they may undertake educational research on a topic of their choice.

 

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