Education - Special Education

Programme Overview
This one-year, part-time postgraduate diploma programme, formerly know as the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education (PGDSE), aims to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers working with students deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.

It is delivered in a blended format. The opportunity to experience different ways of engaging aligns the programme with the principles of Universal Design for Learning, allowing choice and flexibility across the programme. Engagement involves attending lectures, seminars and workshops during eight weeks of block-release that is spread out over the course of one academic year. It also includes on-line learning, self-study and reflection and supervised work in teachers' own schools/centres. Learning also occurs during visits by course supervisors to schools, in dedicated on-line sessions and through engagement with resources through MICs virtual learning platform, Moodle. In order to participate in the programme, teachers will need access to a computer and broadband internet access.

Key Features
Eligibility
The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position (or shared position) that is funded by the Department of Education and who provide Special Education Teaching in recognised primary schools, post-primary schools, and in other recognised educational services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply. Teachers must teach a minimum of 11 hours in special education each week.

The programme provides a Level 9 qualification that is recognised by the Department of Education for teachers working in the areas of inclusive education, special education and learning support who work in the following roles: Special Education Teacher, Teacher in a Special School, Teacher in a Special Class.

For queries relating to eligibility or PGDSE programme structure, please contact Elaine.Gleeson@mic.ul.ie

Programme Structure
Participating teachers will engage with four modules across the academic year. Two modules will be covered in Autumn, and two in Spring.

1. The Theory and Practice of Collaborative Leadership (Autumn semester)

2. Assessment, Teaching and Learning in Language, Literacy and Mathematics (Autumn semester)

3. Critical Influences on Child Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (Spring semester)

4. Collaborative Practice for Assessment, Teaching and Learning (Spring semester)

Programme Content
The aim of the PGDISE to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers working with students deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.

Indicative modules:
1. The Theory and Practice of Collaborative Leadership (15 ECTs)

2. Assessment, Teaching and Learning in Language, Literacy and Mathematics (15 ECTs)

3. Critical Influences on Child Cognitive, Social, Emotional and Behavioural Development (15 ECTs)

4. Collaborative Practice for Assessment, Teaching and Learning (15 ECTs)

Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education (PGDSE)

The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position (or shared position) that is funded by the Department of Education and who provide Special Education Teaching in recognised primary schools, post-primary schools, and in other recognised educational services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply. Teachers must teach a minimum of 11 hours in special education each week.

Please review the relevant DES circular at the link below inviting applications for the course.

Not yet open

* Note applications for MIC is via the process outlined in 'How to Apply', not the hard copy from the above circular.

For queries relating to eligibility or PGDSE programme structure, please contact Elaine.Gleeson@mic.ul.ie

MEd Inclusive Special Education

The M Ed ISE is only open to eligible graduates of the MIC PGDISE. Participants who successfully complete the course, and who meet the relevant entry requirements, will be eligible to seek admission to Year 2 of Master's in Inclusive Special Education (MEd ISE) programme offered in the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Department of Educational psychology, Inclusive and Special Education. Credit for completion of the postgraduate diploma will be given to those who progress to the MEd ISE programme.

For queries relating to eligibility or MEd ISE programme structure, please contact Caroline.Coyne@mic.ul.ie

How to Apply

Please Note: This programme is not open to applications from non-EU countries. Application fees are non-refundable due to applicant ineligibility. See International programme listing.

Information for Irish and EU applicants below.

Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education
Applications for the Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Special Education (PGDISE) will soon be accepted for 2023-2024. The forthcoming DE Circular (expected in Mid-February) will be available on this webpage and will outline eligibility requirements and application details for the next academic year.

In 2023-2024, the course will be offered in a blended approach, with a mix of online and on-campus days in MIC, Limerick Campus totalling eight weeks of block release from the school/ educational setting. Full substitution is provided by the DE.

In order to apply please submit:
Online Application Form
Teaching Council Certificate
Principal's Form
Online Application Form
Teaching Council Certificate
Principal's Form
Documentation should be completed in Word or PDF format and submitted via email only to Elaine.Gleeson@mic.ul.ie. No hard copy posted applications will be accepted.

Fees: The PGDISE is funded by Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education.

Please direct any queries to Elaine.Gleeson@mic.ul.ie

M Ed in Inclusive Special Education
The M Ed ISE is only open to eligible graduates of the MIC PGDISE. Eligible graduates of the PGDISE must have a minimum 2H1 Award on the PGDISE, and a minimum grade award of B1 on the assignment for module Critical Influences on Child Cognitive Social and Emotional Behavioural Development.

Applications for September 2023 MEd in ISE will open in June 2023.

Eligible PGDISE graduates should contact Elaine.Gleeson@mic.ul.ie to indicate their intent to apply for the programme.

When applications open for 2023 entry, applicants should use the Master of Education (M Ed) application form clearly stating that it is the M Ed ISE programme you wish to apply to.

For queries relating to eligibility or MEd ISE programme structure, please contact Caroline.Coyne@mic.ul.ie

Six modules focus on both theory and application with a view to change the planning and practice of teachers working with children with additional needs in primary, post-primary and special schools. Assessment modes used include inclusive and special education provision mapping, case study, reflective essay, documentation of planning and teaching, and practise in schools. Supervised placement in the teacher's own educational setting is an integral part of the programme. Continuous assessment applies throughout the academic year.

1 year full-time. Blended Approach.

Delivery Mode:
Blended approach, with a mix of online and on campus days in MIC Limerick campus, totalling eight weeks of block release from school and four Saturdays. Full substitution is provided by the DE.

The course commences with a full day on campus in MIC Limerick on Saturday 16th September 2023.

Thereafter participants are required to attend blocks of lectures across both semesters amounting to eight weeks in total. The dates for block release will be communicated to participating teachers in June 2023. DE-funded substitution is available to the schools/centres of all those who are offered a place on the programme to allow this to occur.

Lectures are normally held continuously from 9.30am-3.30pm for face-to-face learning in the MIC Limerick Campus. On campus days usually occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays of block release weeks. Mondays and Fridays are usually scheduled for synchronous and synchronous online lectures and activities. There will also be some on-line sessions scheduled in the evening time (usually on Wednesday evenings) during the year. Access to reliable broadband is an essential prerequisite for satisfactory engagement with the PGDISE programme.

Fees: Programme funded by Teacher Education Section of Department of Education & Skills.

How To Apply
To apply, download DES Circular and application form (link below)

Please send by post to: Elaine Gleeson, EPISE Department, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular road, Limerick V94VN26.

Progression Opportunities
Participants who successfully complete the course, and who meet the relevant entry requirements, will be eligible to seek admission to Year 2 of Master's in Inclusive Special Education (MEd ISE) programme offered in the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Department of Educational psychology, Inclusive and Special Education. Credit for completion of the postgraduate diploma will be given to those who progress to the MEd ISE programme.

For queries relating to eligibility or MEd ISE programme structure, please contact Caroline.Coyne@mic.ul.ie