NUI Galway

Adult Learning & Teaching

Who is this course for:
Qualified teachers working or intending to work in the Further Education and Training sector.

Course Profile
Aim
The Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Teaching is designed to afford teachers who have successfully completed the Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education) or an equivalent Level 8 qualification to progress their studies. Having achieved this qualification applicants will then be awarded a 30 credit exemption through the RPL process for advanced entry to the Masters.

Content
This course aims to develop the required skills, competencies and capabilities of educators intending to work in the lifelong learning environment. It prepares participants to: address management and leadership demands; effectively implement a learning environment; and engage with the online learning environment to become effective e-Learning professionals. The research element of the programme allows participants to: develop an evidence-based disposition that promotes systematic intellectual inquiry; and engenders responsibility for recognizing and acting on the ongoing requirements which underpin the professional standards within this sector.

Entry requirements

Special Entry Requirements
Candidates must have a:
• Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education) or
• An equivalent teaching qualification award (NFQ Level 8/60 ECTS)

Duration

1 year, part-time
Mode of study Blended Learning

Number of credits

ECTS: 90 (60 to complete + 30 Exempt)

Careers or further progression

What career or further study opportunities are there?
Successful students may continue their postgraduate studies. Career opportunities occur as training, learning and development and instructional specialists in a wide range of public and private organisations and businesses. These include: further education and training centres; voluntary and community-based training organisations; and human resources and staff development sectors.

Opportunities also exist within private training providers alongside corporate training and professional development sectors.

Further enquiries

Tara Prendeville
Phone: 091 494061
Email: tara.prendeville@nuigalway.ie

Subjects taught

Social Science Research (10 ECTS)
Social Science Research explores the principles and skills relating to planning and designing research, developing a literature review and preparing survey strategies. It examines in detail the nature of inquiry, qualitative and quantitative methods of research based on philosophical assumptions and applied to different research questions.

Management and Leadership in Training and Education (10 ECTS)
Management and Leadership in Training and Education explores key concepts of management and leadership to provide a foundation for implementing strategic objectives in training and educational contexts. Management and leadership competencies, innovation management, programme management and leadership perspectives are studied to underpin development of a successful learning environment.

Online Learning Design (10 ECTS)
Online Learning Design focuses on pedagogical concepts and instructional design models that are fundamental to designing and developing an online learning environment. It examines pedagogical, technical and practical issues that affect the development of effective online learning environments and the issues relating to managing and monitoring online learning activities, assessment and evaluation.

Dissertation (30 ECTS)
Participants completing the Master of Arts in Adult Learning and Teaching must complete a research based dissertation.

Assessment method

Assessment includes written assignments, group projects, online contributions and reflective learning journals.

Application date

APPLY ONLINE
www.nuigalway.ie/adultlearning/apply

The closing dates for each course varies, but are typically from mid-July to late August each academic year.

Once you apply online your application is assessed in accordance with the course selection criteria. Successful applicants are informed via email.

To accept your place, you will be required to:
1.Accept your course place using the online applications portal
2.Pay a deposit within the specified timeframe – this deposit is offset against the full fee payment

The process of assessing applications and offering places may take between three and four weeks and you are advised to regularly check the email address used for correspondence as all course communication will be sent to you at this email address.

Additional registration details and communication from the relevant department will be issued to all applicants approximately two weeks before the course commences, informing you of the registration date and lecture times for the course.