Education - Inclusive Special Education

Programme Overview

This one-year, part-time postgraduate diploma programme; Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Special Education (PGDISE), aims to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers working with students deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.



Key Features

Eligibility

The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position (or shared 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. Teachers must teach a minimum of 11 hours in special education each week. The programme provides a Level 9 qualification that is recognised by the Department of Education for teachers working in the areas of inclusive education, special education and learning support who work in the following roles: Special Education Teacher, Teacher in a Special School, Teacher in a Special Class.



For queries relating to eligibility or PGDISE programme structure, please contact PGDISE@mic.ul.ie



Programme Structure

Participating teachers will engage with four modules across the academic year. Two modules will be covered in autumn, and two in spring.



1. The Theory and Practice of Collaborative Leadership (autumn semester)

2. Assessment, Teaching and Learning in Language, Literacy and Mathematics (autumn semester)

3. Critical Influences on Child Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (spring semester)

4. Collaborative Practice for Assessment, Teaching and Learning (spring semester)



The course commences with a full day on campus in MIC Limerick in September 2025. Date to be decided.



Thereafter participants are required to attend blocks of lectures across both semesters amounting to eight weeks in total. The dates for block release will be communicated to participating teachers in June 2025. DE-funded substitution is available to the schools/centres of all those who are offered a place on the programme to allow this to occur.



Lectures are normally held continuously from 9.30am - 3.30pm for face-to-face learning in the MIC Limerick Campus. On campus days usually occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of block release weeks. Mondays and Fridays are usually scheduled for synchronous and synchronous online lectures and activities. There will also be some on-line sessions scheduled in the evening time (usually on Wednesday evenings) during the year. Access to reliable broadband is an essential prerequisite for satisfactory engagement with the PGDISE programme.

The aim of the PGDISE to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers working with students deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.



Indicative Modules:

• The Theory and Practice of Collaborative Leadership (15 ECTs)

• Assessment, Teaching and Learning in Language, Literacy and Mathematics (15 ECTs)

• Critical Influences on Child Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (15 ECTs)

• Collaborative Practice for Assessment, Teaching and Learning (15 ECTs)

Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Special Education (PGDISE):

The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position (or shared 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. Teachers must teach a minimum of 11 hours in special education each week.



For general queries please contact PGDISE@mic.ul.ie.



MEd in Inclusive Special Education:

The M Ed in Inclusive Special Education is only open to eligible graduates of the MIC PGDISE. Participants who successfully complete the programme, and who meet the relevant entry requirements, will be eligible to seek admission to Year 2 of Master's in Inclusive Special Education programme offered in the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Department of Educational Psychology, Inclusive and Special Education. Credit for completion of the postgraduate diploma will be given to those who progress to the MEd in Inclusive Special Education programme.



For queries relating to eligibility or MEd in Inclusive Special Education programme structure, please contact: PGEducation@mic.ul.ie.

How to Apply

To apply please see "Application Weblink" above.



Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Special Education:

Applications for the Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Special Education (PGDISE) are now closed.



M Ed in Inclusive Special Education - EU Applicants:

Applications for MEd in Inclusive Special Education are now open.

Closing date for applications is 4pm, Friday 24 July 2026.



For queries relating to eligibility or M Ed in Inclusive Special Education programme structure, please contact PGEducation@mic.ul.ie.

1 year full-time. Delivery Mode: Blended approach, with a mix of online and on campus days in MIC Limerick campus, totalling eight weeks of block release from school and four Saturdays. Full substitution is provided by the DE.

Progression to the M Ed in Inclusive Special Education

Only participants who successfully complete the PGDISE programme, and who meet the relevant entry requirements, will be eligible to seek admission to the M Ed in Inclusive Special Education programme offered in the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Department of Educational psychology, Inclusive and Special Education. Credit for completion of the postgraduate diploma will be given to those who progress to the M Ed in Inclusive Special Education programme. Participants must complete the PGDISE programme in Mary Immaculate College only to be eligible to progress to the M Ed in Inclusive Special Education programme.



For queries relating to eligibility or M Ed in Inclusive Special Education programme structure, please contact PGEducation@mic.ul.ie