Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational needs 2012 - 2013

Programme description

The Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is provided by the School of Education, NUI, Galway, and supported by the Department of Education and Skills.  It is a recognised postgraduate qualification for all support teachers working in the area of special educational needs and learning support in mainstream primary and post primary schools and for teachers in special classes, special schools/units and other relevant educational settings.  The qualification also provides a foundation to enable participants to progress to further academic study, specifically, the Master of Educational Studies (MEd) programme at NUI, Galway.

The programme runs from early September 2012 until May 2013 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 four 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.

Programme aims and content

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  

Please click on the link to the Handbook 2012/2013 for further information.

Teaching

The programme is delivered by a core team supported by a cohort of associate lecturers 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 by means of a number of course work assignments and demonstration of successful practice in the classroom.

Application

Application forms and further information are available as a circular issued from the Department of Education and Skills and posted on their website http://www.education.ie/ usually in January of the academic year prior to entry.

Please click on the link to access circular 0001/2013 for the 2013 - 14 programme.. 

For further information please contact:

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

Or

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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