Education - Inclusive Education Learning Support & Special Education

This programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who provide special education teaching, teachers in special schools and classes, and special education teachers in further education and alternative settings.*



You’ll gain an understanding of important principles and concepts of inclusion and special education, and learn more about short and long-term planning and inclusive pedagogies and teaching practices. You’ll also explore the role of effective collaboration and leadership for inclusion in your school setting.



Grow your knowledge, skills and competencies

Fully funded by the Department of Education (including substitution where required), the course offers a hybrid study format with on-campus and online learning. You’ll also get the opportunity to observe practice in other educational settings to give you an insight into special educational provisions different to your own.



On completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for certain Master’s programmes within DCU once you meet course requirements. You can contact respective programme chairpersons for more information.



*Subject to the specifications as set out in the DES Circular annually.



This is a one-year, part-time postgraduate diploma programme that aims to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers who work with learners deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.



This course is offered in a blended format, with on campus learning in DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, combined with some online learning days. Please note, on campus learning days are not offered in a hybrid format, therefore in person attendance is required. This involves attending lectures, seminars and workshops during eight weeks of block-release that is spread out over the course of one academic year. It also includes online learning, and attendance at a maximum of ten online evening classes during the year and supervised work in teachers’ own schools/centres. This will also include a requirement to submit a video recording of practice for formative assessment. Learning also occurs during visits by course tutors to schools, in dedicated online sessions and through engagement with resources made available on DCU learning platforms. In order to participate in the programme, teachers will need access to a computer and broadband internet access.

The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position that is funded by the Department of Education and who provide Special Education Teaching in recognised primary schools, post-primary schools, and in other recognised educational services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply.

1 year part-time.

This postgraduate qualification may support graduates to enter leadership roles especially those within Inclusive and Special Education.