M-Level Programme for Teachers
St Mary's University College has a long-established tradition in teacher education which includes an M-Level Programme. The M-Level Programme has been approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which commended it for its quality and excellence.
The programme consists of a range of accredited modules which may be taken on a stand-alone basis or which may contribute to one of the following awards:
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies
• Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies
• Master of Education.
Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies
The PG Certificate is awarded to those students who have accumulated 60 M-level credit points. The course may be completed over one academic year, or students may build up the required number of modules over a period of up to five years. Students can select modules from any option listed in this booklet.
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies
The PG Diploma is awarded to those students who have accumulated 120 M-level credit points. Students may build up the required number of modules for a period of up to five years. In order to obtain a named PG Diploma in a specialist option, students must take a minimum of two modules within the selected option.
Master of Education
The MEd is awarded to those students who have accumulated 180 M-level credit points which include a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation. The dissertation is equivalent to 60 M-level credit points. Students may build up the required number of taught modules and complete the dissertation over a period of up to five years.
In order to obtain a Masters degree in a specialist option, students must take a minimum of two modules within the option: an Educational Research Methods module and one other module of their choice, as well as complete an M-level dissertation worth 60 M-level credit points.
Programme Aims
St Mary's provides teachers and education-related professionals with a stimulating and supportive environment in which they have the opportunity to work alongside a strong community of like-minded professionals. The programme has the following aims:
• to make educational excellence and success accessible to all by providing a dynamic, flexible and wide-ranging programme of professional development,
• to ensure that teachers receive the targeted and supportive professional development training needed to drive standards and raise achievement in schools,
• to facilitate school improvement,
• to nurture the talent and ambition of teachers who are committed to their own professional development,
• to support career-long professional development,
• to embed a culture of self-evaluation by engaging in critical reflection,
• to facilitate professional collaboration and the sharing of good practice,
• to steer teachers and schools through educational change,
• to inspire creativity, passion and optimism in the teaching profession,
• to promote personal excellence, teamwork and leadership in educational professionals.
The specialist options are listed below:
• Curriculum Development and Primary Education
• Developing Physical Education, School Sport and Coaching Science
• Early Years Education
• Educational Management and School Organisation
• Effective Teaching (online)
• English and Literacy in the Curriculum
• Irish and Irish Medium Education
• Pastoral Issues
• Special Education.
Comment
Awards
A pass with commendation will be awarded to those graduating with a MEd, PG Diploma or PG Certificate who achieve an average mark of at least 60%.
A pass with distinction will be awarded to those graduating with a PG Diploma or PG Certificate who achieve an average mark of at least 70%.
A pass with distinction will be awarded to MEd candidates who achieve at least 70% in the dissertation, no less than an average of 65% in each of the other modules and an overall average of at least 70%.
Dissertation Students
Successful completion of the research methods module is a requirement before a student can proceed to dissertation study. Dissertation students must also have their dissertation proposal formally approved by the M-level Course Team in St Mary's.
Access to Research Resources for Teachers
GTCNI has established an online educational research repository known as ARRT Space. The aim of this repository is to give teachers "touch of a button" access to relevant educational research. It is also hoped that the repository will go some way to facilitating greater communication and understanding between the teaching profession and the educational research community in Northern Ireland.
Students whose work merits dissemination to the rest of the profession will be invited, via the College, to make an electronic version of their dissertation available to the College library.