Education - Post Primary Teaching

Are you passionate about empowering young people? With a Professional Master of Education (PME) from Hibernia College, you can register with the Teaching Council as a member of the teaching profession.

Your enthusiasm and knowledge of your teaching subject(s) will enable you to inspire your future students. Our PME programme will teach you how to facilitate academic and personal growth and help each student achieve their full potential. The programme will prepare you to become the best and most professional teacher you can be. Prior teaching experience is not required to apply.

The PME in Post-Primary Education is a 120-credit award at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is delivered over 24 months and is a blended learning programme, combining online and face-to-face delivery to develop professionals positioned to be leaders in the field of post-primary education.

The programme consists of a sequence of modules that reflect contemporary issues in education and the skills and knowledge required to be post-primary school teachers who enable effective learning. Our emphasis on research ensures that student teachers understand teaching as a form of self-critical learning. Student teachers are trained to use evidence-based reflection to continually improve their practice.

Academic Accreditation: QQI
Professional Accreditation: The Teaching Council

Module Title Credits
101 Professional Studies: Evidence-Informed Practice in Teaching and Learning 5
102 Foundation Studies: Education, Schools and Society 5
103 Foundation Studies: Psychology for Teaching and Learning 5
104 Foundation Studies: Inclusion, Diversity and Global Education 5
105 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 5
106 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 5
107 School Experience and Professional Practice 1 10
108 Foundation Studies: History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education 5
109 Foundation Studies: Curriculum Studies 5
110 Foundation Studies: Philosophy of Education 5
111 School Experience and Professional Practice 2 15
112 Professional Studies: Inclusive Pedagogy 5

113 Electives:
113a Wellbeing in Post-Primary Schools 5
113b Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning 5
113c Development Education 5
113d Inclusion of Learners with AENs 5
114 Professional Studies: Core Teaching Methodologies 5
115 Advanced School Experience and Professional Practice 25
116 Professional Practice and Inquiry: The Teacher as Researcher 10

NFQ Level 8 Degree
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ, which has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits.

Note: Do your official undergraduate transcripts include module codes and ECTS credits? If not, you will need to request these from your undergraduate provider. If you have any issues, please email advisor@hiberniacollege.net.

Teaching Council Curricular Subject Requirements

Teaching Council regulations stipulate that, in addition to holding a Level 8 degree that has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits on the NFQ (or equivalent), applicants must meet the curricular subject requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject to be eligible for entry to the PME.

When applying for a place on the PME, an applicant will be required to complete and submit a Subject Declaration Form for their chosen subject(s), declaring they:
Hold an honours bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8, or equivalent, carrying at least 180 ECTS credits
Have studied the requisite number of ECTS credits in the subject(s) they wish to have recorded on the Register of Teachers
Have studied the subject(s) at third-year degree level, or higher
Have met all other specific subject requirements outlined by the Teaching Council. e.g. have studied modules across the required areas of study.

Choosing Subjects
When making subject choices, it is important to note that you are required to meet all Teaching Council requirements in your Subject 1, including the requisite number of ECTS credits, and submit a completed Subject Declaration Form.

SPRING 2024: CLOSES 9 FEBRUARY 2024
AUTUMN 2024: CLOSES 26 JUNE 2024

24 months

Online Tutorials
You should expect to have approximately three to four tutorials each week (Monday–Friday). Tutorials are 1–2 hours in length and typically occur between the hours of 6 PM and 9 PM. Please note that these classes are live, and you will be expected to attend at the times stated.

Face-to-Face Events
You will meet on Saturdays at a regional study centre from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the number of Saturdays is dependent on which module you are undertaking, Depending on the module, attendance at F2F events on Saturday may be consecutive over a number of weekends. There will also be a number of face-to-face weeks as well as some mid term days.

Required Study and Attendance
It is recommended that you set aside approximately 37 hours per week for study, including tutorials and classes. The programme is 24 continuous months, with a short break at Christmas and in summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.

Next Intakes: Spring 2024, Autumn 2024