Professional Diploma in Home Economics
Course Overview
The Professional Diploma in Home Economics provides an opportunity for registered teachers of other subjects who have an interest in and passion for Home Economics, to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills required to teach Home Economics at post primary level.
It is a 90 ECTs part-time programme with a strong practical and theoretical focus. At the end of this two-year programme, students will have acquired a deep understanding of Home Economics as a discipline and a field of practice and will have gained the pedagogical content knowledge required to be effective and confident teachers of Home Economics.
This programme was designed in line with the Teaching Council’s curricular subject registration requirements (Nov., 2020). Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to apply to the Teaching Council of Ireland for recognition as a teacher of Home Economics. Following completion of this programme in 2020, past graduates of the Professional Diploma are now enjoying teaching roles in Home Economics.
Applications and Selections
Please complete the Professional Diploma in Home Economics Application Form and submit to the College (in hard copy / scanned soft copy including relevant transcripts and copy of results as one file) to reach the College no later than 5pm, 10th June 2022.
Applications will be reviewed, and candidates may be called for an interview (virtual) in June 2022 with places confirmed shortly thereafter.
Applications Forms to be submitted to:
Ms Niamh Finnegan,
School of Home Economics Administrator,
Professional Diploma in Home Economics,
School of Home Economics,
St. Angela's College,
Lough Gill,
Co Sligo
T: +353 (0)71 9135650 (ext. 650)
E: homeeconomics@stangelas.ie
Participants are eligible for a fee refund under the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme, Department of Education which provides funding towards the cost of course and examination fees incurred by Primary and Post-Primary teachers on successful completion of in-career development courses approved by the Department and school authorities (subject to eligibility criteria). The Scheme is administered by the Marino Institute of Education. See: Circular 0001/2022 and update to Circular 0015/2021
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be fully registered as a teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland at the time of application and hold a level 8 Honours Degree including a recognised post primary teaching qualification. This can be a Professional Master of Education (P.M.E.) teacher education qualification in a recognised subject or a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in a recognised subject (or equivalent).
Applicants who have a shortfall in their registration status as a Home Economics teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland may also apply for the Professional Diploma in Home Economics programme.
Additional Requirements
Duration
Two years, Part-time
Next start date
September 2022
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
5pm on 10th June 2022
NFQ level
8
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
Professional Diploma in Home Economics
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
During this programme, you will study a range of modules considering learning and teaching alongside theoretical perspectives and practical skills relating to the Home Economics discipline across the core aspects of Food Studies, Textiles, Fashion and Design, Family Resource Management and wider.
The programme modules are designed to develop the integration of theoretical, practical and conceptual dimensions of teaching and learning in Home Economics.
The practical aspects of teaching and learning Home Economics are integrated into the subject discipline modules and are studied in-depth in Home Economics Subject Specific Pedagogy in year 2. The 10 ECT Home Economics Education module at the end of year 2 provides students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice, in a supported learning environment.
Duration
Two years, part-time, on-campus in St. Angela’s College (AY 2022-2024). The part-time scheduling of this programme allows you to qualify as a Home Economics teacher while maintaining your current teaching position, with the support of your school.
Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Module | Credits | Module | Credits |
| Food Studies | 10 | Food Microbiology, Processing and Preservation | 5 |
| Introduction to Textiles and Design | 5 | Food Studies: Food Science and Nutrition | 10 |
| Family Resource Management: The Family |
5 | Family Resource Management: Resource Management and Consumer Empowerment |
5 |
| Philosophical Perspectives of Home Economics | 5 | Family Resource Management: The Family Home - Interior and Textiles Design |
5 |
Year 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Module | Credits | Module | Credits |
| Textiles, Fashion and Design | 5 | Home Economics Education (including School Placement) |
10 |
| Nutritional and Sensory Sciences | 5 | Food Quality, Nutrition and Health | 5 |
| Home Economics Practice in Everyday Life | 5 | Family Resource Management: Family and Society |
5 |
| Home Economics Specific Pedagogy (including Microteaching) |
5 | ||
Scheduling
Year 1, Semester 1 Weekly on Fridays
Semester 1 duration is 12 weeks
(23/09/22 –16/12/2022 excluding October midterm)
Year 1, Semester 2 Weekly on Fridays
1-week block (13th February to 17th February 2023)
Semester 2 duration is 12 weeks (27/01/23 - 28/04/23)
Year 2, Semester 1 Weekly on Fridays
Semester 1 duration is 12 weeks
(2023-2024 dates TBC excluding October midterm)
Year 2, Semester 2 Weekly on Fridays
1-week block (21st February to 25th February 2024)
Semester 2 duration is 12 weeks (2023-2024 dates TBC)
*No additional online lecture delivery in addition to the above times
*The above times are provisional and may be subject to revision
Further Education
Professional Diploma graduates may pursue further study opportunities with St. Angela's College or Atlantic Technological University in a range of areas related to Home Economics / Education.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
This is a professional programme which offers you the opportunity of immediate employment upon graduation as a post primary teacher of Home Economics.
Who’s Suited to This Course
This programme in the School of Home Economics, St. Angela’s College supports you to study your passion for Home Economics alongside your working and personal life. You will have the opportunity to work with and learn from a large team of academic experts in the field at the National Centre of Excellence for Home Economics.
Career-focused Qualification
This Professional Diploma offers you the opportunity of immediate employment upon graduation as a post primary teacher of Home Economics, a subject discipline that is amongst the most sought after currently for teacher supply. This programme includes 15 ECT credits of specialist Home Economics pedagogy, microteaching and school placement enabling participants to apply theoretical discipline knowledge in a supportive, specialised environment.
Strong Track Record of Specialist Teaching and Learning
St. Angela’s College has provided Home Economics teacher education for 70 years and is renowned for its high-quality learning experience. The School of Home Economics and aligned National Centre of Excellence in Home Economics have a large, expert team of Home Economists with specialist knowledge who, along with our colleagues from the School of Education, will work with you in small groups, creating a positive learner-centred environment.
Research Informed Practice
A distinctive feature of the School of Home Economics is the associated National Centre of Excellence in Home Economics, a teaching and research centre aligned with the School. The Centre offers programmes in Home Economics up to level 10 NQF, PhD level. This ensures that we can provide you with exposure to a consistently high level of cutting-edge teaching and research to support your development as a Home Economics teacher.
Extensive and Active Professional Network in the Field of Home Economics Nationally and Internationally
As an established provider of teacher education, St. Anglea’s College have developed close links with a large network of post primary schools, education and further education centres throughout the country and can assist you in securing a placement teaching opportunity.
The School of Home Economics works closely with professional organisations in the field; the Irish Association of Teachers of Home Economics and the International Federation of Home Economics. The College is delighted to host the International Federation for Home Economics, IFHE World Congress in Summer 2024. This event is the largest conference for the Home Economics discipline in the world, attended by over 2,000 delegates.
Enthusiastic Student Body
You will be a part of an enthusiastic and energising learning environment with a student body of circa 1500. St. Angela’s College is an established and renowned provider of teacher education in Home Economics with over 600 initial teacher education students studying here currently as well as additional students of on our other Home Economics degree programmes.
Excellent Specialist Labs Facilities and Academic Supports
On campus face-to-face, practical sessions will be held in our well-equipped Home Economics labs which provide ideal conditions for putting knowledge into practice. Examples include state-of-the-art food laboratories, textiles, fashion and design labs, science labs, sensory analysis and microteaching suites. Lecture sessions will take place in modern lecture theatres and classrooms and students will have full access to the McKeown Library and Academic Writing Centre.
Work Placement
The programme provides for a dedicated 10 ECT credit Home Economics Education module in Year 2 of the programme which includes a School Placement component, guided by the Teaching Council’s (TC) Policy on the Continuum of Teacher Education, and the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers.
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Fees can be paid securely through our Online Payment Facility
Participants are eligible for a fee refund under the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme, please see Applications section for more.
Find out More
Any programme specific queries should be directed to Ms Niamh Finnegan, School of Home Economics Administrator: homeeconomics@stangelas.ie or phone +353 (0)71 9135650 (ext. 650).
