Education - Teaching & Learning

Overview

This course aims to enhance adult, community and further education practitioners skills and knowledge of teaching and learning. Through a variety of participatory, creative and reflective methods, course participants will be encouraged to draw on their own experiences as learners and/or practitioners to deepen and grow their own practice. Through exploring and implementing a range of engaged practices, participants will enhance, not just their students' learning experiences, but their own professional knowledge, confidence and capacity in working with the rich diversity of adult learner groups across community and further education.



The PG Certificate in Teaching and Learning is a part-time Level 9 programme designed for practitioners in adult, community, and further education.



It is a flexible, blended programme that will enhance your teaching and facilitation skills through participatory, creative, and reflective methods.



Applicants must be working with adult learning groups in adult, community or further education settings. You must also hold a recognised primary degree equivalent to NFQ Level 8 or be able to demonstrate an equivalent through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).



There are four modules:



Group Work in Adult and Community Education (5 credits)

Teaching and Learning in Adult and Community Education (5 credits)

Theory and Practice of Assessment in Adult, Community, and Further Education (5 credits)

The Reflective Practitioner (5 credits)

The programmes consist of four modules:

1. Group Work in Adult and Community Education (AD506) 5 Credits

2. Teaching and Learning in Adult and Community Education (AD511) 5 Credits

3. Community Drama (AD512) 5 Credits

4. The Reflective Practitioner (AD513) 5 Credits



As with many of our programmes, we take an integrated and holistic approach to course design and delivery and, as such, much of the teaching, learning and assessment will occur across the modules thematically.



Approaches to assessment will match the participatory, reflective and creative focus of the course.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor honours degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) in any discipline.



Applicants who do not hold a primary degree but have at least 3-5 years of relevant experience in Adult and Community Education settings or an associated discipline (for example, Social Sciences) may apply via Maynooth University's RPL process for Non-Standard Entrants. Please click here for further information.



Applicants should demonstrate an interest and commitment to working in an Adult and Community Education setting. Work experience in the sector is desirable but not essential.

Closing Date : 30 June 2026

1 year part-time.



These are delivered, part-time over two semesters through a combination of 8 face-to-face and 7 online sessions:



Six in-person days will be Fridays 10am – 4pm and two will be Saturdays

Online session TBD

Career Options

The PG Certificate in Teaching and Learning is an ideal professional development course for practitioners at any stage of their career in adult, community or further education. As a 20-credit Level 9 award graduates who are keen to continue their study are encouraged to use the award as evidence for Recognition of Prior Learning.