Education - Post Primary Teaching

Introduction
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.

Dates for 2022 Applications are as follows:
Application Opening Date Monday 8 November 2021
Application Closing Date Friday 11 February 2022
Documentation Closing Date (Uploading only allowed) Friday 25 February 2022

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

Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Irish, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Programme
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 below.

Activity: Direct Teaching
Year 1 (Sept to June) - 4 hours per week
Year 2 (Sept to June) - 4 hours per week

Activity: Placement Related Activities
Year 1 (Sept to June) - 4 hours per week
Year 2 (Sept to June) - 4 hours per week

Activity: Observation
Year 1 (Sept to June) - 24 classes
Year 2 (Sept to June) - 24 classes

General Entry Requirements
- Applications open on PAC from Monday 8th November 2021
- Closing Date for EU applications is Friday 11th February 2022
- Closing Date for non EU applications is Friday 11th February 2022

In order to obtain information about the DCU PME programme, candidates should consult these pages and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) in advance of contacting DCU.

Applicants will normally hold at least a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8), that complies with the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements for at least one subject from the second-level school's curriculum.

International Applications:
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

2 years full-time.

Career Areas:
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.