Education - Inclusive & Special Education

This Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is a recognised postgraduate qualification for 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/units, special schools and other relevant educational settings. The aim of the programme is to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs and pupils who require learning support.



The aim of the programme is to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs and pupils who require learning support.



The programme runs from September until May and is delivered by the Programme Leader supported by a cohort of external lecturers with a wide range of expertise . Issues pertaining to inclusive education and special needs will be explored and teachers are supported in implementing skills to support the learning and teaching of students with special educational needs. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers’ own school and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery. In addition, it also involves online and distance learning and teachers will be required to attend lectures and workshops at Froebel Dept in Maynooth over the course of approximately 15 weekends (Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 9-4pm).

The programme runs from mid-August until May and is delivered by the Programme Leader supported by a cohort of external lecturers with a wide range of expertise. Issues pertaining to inclusive education and special needs will be explored and teachers are supported in implementing skills to support the learning and teaching of students with special educational needs. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers' own school and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery. Teachers will be required to attend online lectures and workshops every Tuesday and Thursday evening 5-7pm.



There will also be face to face module delivery in Maynooth University for three days in August and two Saturdays in November.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in a recognised teaching qualification.



Applicants, who should be qualified teachers, need to meet the following requirements:



Primary: Applicants should have satisfactorily completed their probationary period. They must be qualified teachers who hold



A) a position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or who will be taking up such posts in September.



B) a position as a mainstream class teacher and has contact with children with special educational needs



Post Primary: Applicants must be qualified teachers who hold



A) a position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or who will be taking up such posts in September.



B) a position as a mainstream class teacher and has at least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than four students.



Special Schools: Applicants are also invited from Special School teachers. They must be qualified teachers who hold a position in a sanctioned post in a Special School or who will be taking up such posts in September.



Other Educational Services: Qualified teachers employed by ETBs as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach and who are assigned to Learning Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 15 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than four students.



Applicants should be teaching the same group of pupils with special educational needs in their setting over the entire duration of the diploma.



Settings can include: primary mainstream, post primary mainstream, special class, special school and SET.



It is particularly important that, in their schools, teachers participating in the programme are given the type/level of duties and teaching responsibilities (as required by the programme providers) which will permit them to benefit fully from the training being offered.

Closing Date : 14 August 2026

1 year Part-time

Commencement date - Mid-August

Graduates of the course will be better equipped to address the ever changing challenges of the modern educational environment in mainstream or special schools. Graduates will be qualified to work as educators in the area of special education.