Education - Post Primary Teaching - Secondary

The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme is designed to prepare high quality teachers for today's second level schools. Students undertake a study of the principles of teaching and learning, develop practical teaching skills as well as the foundation disciplines of educational theory. They engage in a supervised teaching placement in at least two second-level schools. Students take modules in teaching methodologies for (usually) two curricular subjects.

School Placement

Prospective students are responsible for arranging their own school placements (within a 160 km radius of Maynooth University). PME students (year 1) along with their weekly placements will also undertake a three-week block placement in January.

Learning to Teach/Becoming a Teacher/Curriculum and Assessment/Global and Inclusive Education

The central focus of these modules is on enabling the student to develop a repertoire of pedagogical skills and to adopt a professional, self-analytical and reflective approach to classroom practice. This is aimed at deepening the student's understanding of the processes of teaching and learning, of assessment, of education, of pupils and their psycho-social development, of schools within their evolving social context and of the structure and development of the system within which they work. Among the research sources that inform these modules are global citizenship and social justice, inclusive approaches to education, digital literacy, pedagogical and curriculum studies, the history and structure of education, educational psychology, sociology of education and the philosophy of education

Teaching/Learning Seminars in Subject Methods
These consist of seminars/lectures/workshops devoted to the methodology teaching and learning of school subjects.

School Based Experience
In the first year, school placement is carried out on two full days a week in a second level school where the principal and members of staff have agreed to co-operate with Maynooth University Education Department. Students spend about 65 days per year in a school within a 160 kilometer radius of Maynooth. In addition there is a period of 'block' teaching in January, of approximately three weeks continuous work in schools. Students make their own arrangements for teaching practice.

Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Curriculum /The Teacher as a Critically Reflective Practitioner
The central focus of these modules is on enabling the student to develop a repertoire of pedagogical skills and to adopt a professional, self-analytical and reflective approach to classroom practice. These course elements are aimed at deepening the student's understanding of the processes of teaching and learning, of assessment, of education, of pupils and their psycho-social development, of schools within their social context and of the structure and development of the system within which they work. Among the research sources that inform these modules are pedagogical and curriculum studies, the history and structure of education, educational psychology, sociology of education and the philosophy of education.

Teaching/Learning Seminars in Subject Methods
These consist of seminars/lectures/workshops devoted to the methodology teaching and learning of school subjects.

Entry to the PME programme is determined in the first instance by the candidate's primary degree with a minimum 2.2 grade. The degree must be a recognised and relevant undergraduate programme as determined by the Teaching Council. Details of the Teaching Council's criteria for registration as a secondary school teacher are available at: https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/news-events/latest-news/curricular-subject-requirements.pdf

Applicants are strongly advised to check that the modules of their primary degree meet these requirements prior to making an application.

2 years full-time

The Professional Master of Education is the main qualification recognised by the Department of Education and Skills for teaching at second-level in Ireland. It is also recognised under the EU directives on mutual recognition of professional qualifications.