Education - Post Primary Teaching

The Professional Master of Education (Post Primary) is a full-time teacher education qualification delivered through evening and flexible learning modes for those who meet the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements for at least one subject and wish to become a teacher in a post primary school.

The PME programme in DCU provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required for twenty first century classrooms. The programme prepares teachers to respond to current curricular developments at second level and promotes teacher autonomy and collegiality in the design, delivery and assessment of curriculum. A wide range of teaching strategies and methodologies are used to encourage an equitable, student-centred and creative approach to teaching and learning.

The DCU Institute of Education is home to leading global research centres in the areas of Assessment, Evaluation, Citizenship and Human Rights Education and Anti-Bullying. Students will benefit from the expertise in these centres to develop knowledge, skills and opportunities. DCU promotes a spirit of leadership, inquiry, reflection and evaluation as students develop professional practice and recognise the importance of their own lifelong learning.

The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme starts in late August each year. Students are required to complete an Induction Programme which runs in advance of formal lectures. Formal lectures begin in September and are held in DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and online components.

School Placement

The programme includes two school placements. Students complete placement in one school in Year 1 and in a different school in Year 2. Placements can occur in a variety of school settings including Voluntary Secondary Schools, Educate Together Secondary Schools, Community Colleges, Community Schools and Comprehensive Schools.

Students must secure their own placements in a recognised post-primary school within the Republic of Ireland. Only the first placement needs to be secured at the time of application.

Placement Hours Required: Over the course of two years all students must engage in a minimum number of hours of direct teaching, placement related activities and observation as outlined in the table below.

Activity Year 1 (Sept to June) Year 2 (Sept to June)
Direct Teaching 4 hours per week 4 hours per week
Placement Related Activities 4 hours per week 4 hours per week
Observation 24 classes 24 classes

Academic Structures
Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, Professional Master of Education
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
ES538 Professional Placement 25 Year long 0 100 2
ES544 Schooling and Society 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
ES546 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
ES556 Philosophy of Education 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
HD591 Restorative Justice for a Contemplative Ed: 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
HD594 Human Div: Being a Teacher of All Students 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
SG901 Teaching in Online & Blended L Env 5 Semester 1 0 100 1

Year 1 Optional Modules -
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
ES562 Teaching and Learning in English Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES563 Teaching & Learning in Mathematics Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES564 Modhanna Teagaisc Speisialta sa Ghaeilge 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES566 Teaching and Learning in Geography Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES567 Teaching and Learning in Religious Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES571 Teaching and Learning in History Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES572 Teaching and Learning in Science Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES574 Teaching and Learning in Music Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD592 Teaching & Learning in Business Studies Ed 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD596 Teaching & Learning in Citizenship Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
LC577 Teaching and Learning in Language Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
SG902 Teaching and Learning in Computer Science 5 Year long 0 100 1

Year 2 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
ES519 History of Education in Ireland 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
ES539 Professional Placement 25 Year long 0 100 2
ES590 Extended Research Project 15 Year long 0 100 1
HD518 Psychology of Teaching & Learning 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD595 Fostering Creativity and Innovation 5 Semester 1 0 100 1

Year 2 Optional Modules -
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
ES562A Teaching and Learning in English Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES563A Teaching & Learning in Mathematics Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES564A Modhanna Teagaisc Speisialta sa Gaeilge 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES566A Teaching and Learning in Geography Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES567A Teaching and Learning in Religious Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES571A Teaching and Learning in History Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES572A Teaching and Learning in Science Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
ES574A Teaching and Learning in Music Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD592A Teaching & Learning in Business Ed 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD593 Teaching & Learning in SPHE 5 Year long 0 100 1
HD596A Teaching & Learning in Citizenship Education 5 Year long 0 100 1
LC577A Teaching and Learning in Language Education 5 Year long 0 100
SG902A Teaching and Learning in Computer Science 5 Year long 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1

First, you need to consult the Teaching Council’s Requirements for Teacher Registration to see if your undergraduate qualifications meet the requirements set out by the Teaching Council of Ireland, the professional standards body for teaching in Ireland. As part of the application process, you will need to confirm that your degree complies with these requirements. See https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/applying-in-2022-for-a-place-on-a-professional-master-of-education-pme/

Please see https://www.dcu.ie/courses/professional-master-education-post-primary-dc905 for all information on how to apply, and to submit an application through the online portal. Please ensure you read all details carefully prior to submitting the application.

International Applications:
Where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications go to https://www.dcu.ie/global

Application/Documentation Dates and Fees for 2024 PME DC905 entry
Application Opening Date Monday 6th November 2023
Application Closing Date Friday 9th February 2024
Documentation Closing Date (Uploading only allowed) Friday 23rd February 2024
Fee €100

Applications for admission to the Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) in DCU will be processed in accordance with the regulations, procedures and timeline described on DCU’s Website. No applicant should attempt to complete the application without first reading the instructions on the DCU course webpage .

For Information on the subject specialisms offered at DCU please go to https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/inline-files/dc905-subject-specialisms.pdf

In line with current government national strategies to increase the supply of teachers in priority subjects, additional places will be reserved for applicants who meet the requirements for the subjects listed below:

Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Irish
German
French
Italian
Spanish

To make an application, please visit our Student Application Portal at the link below.

Offers
An email from the applications portal will alert applicants to check their application status. Please ensure that the email address provided in the online application is active and ensure that no details go to your spam folder. Applicants who receive an offer should confirm acceptance by the specified date in order to secure a place.

Please note that canvassing of any kind will disqualify an applicant. Applications will not be discussed with third parties.

Queries on completed applications
Queries on applications may be emailed to pgedapplications@dcu.ie. Please include the programme code (DC905) in the subject line of your email.

Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2024.

Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on the PME programme.

2 years full-time.

The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme starts in late August each year. Students are required to complete an Induction Programme which runs in advance of formal lectures. Formal lectures begin in September and are held in DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and online components.

The programme commences in September 2024.

Adult Education
Education
Government Departments
Post Primary Education

Career Prospects
While most of our graduates will work as teachers in post-primary schools, others will pursue further studies in education and related fields, such as guidance, pastoral care, school leadership and management. Others again will work in Further Education, Higher Education, government departments and other education and training settings.