Masters Degrees in Special Needs Education, Ireland

Primary: Have satisfactorily completed their probationary period. Be qualified teachers who hold
A) position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or taking up such posts in September.
B) position as mainstream class teacher and has contact with children with special educational needs

Post Primary: Must be qualified teachers who hold
A) position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or taking up such posts in September
B) position as mainstream class teacher and has at least 10 hours of contact time with children with special educational needs

Special Schools: Special School teachers. Qualified teachers who hold a position in a sanctioned post in a Special School or are taking up such posts in September.

Other Educational Services: Qualified teachers employed by VECs as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach and who are assigned to Learning Support work (with individuals, groups or classes of not more than 15 pupils) for a minimum of 10 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than six students.

It is particularly important that, in their schools, teachers participating in the programme are given the type/level of duties and teaching responsibilities (as required by the programme providers) which will permit them to benefit fully from the training being offered.

Overview

This Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is a recognised postgraduate qualification for teachers working in the area of special educational needs and learning support in mainstream primary and post primary schools and for teachers in special classes/units, special schools and other relevant educational settings. The aim of the programme is to provide substantial theoretical and practical training for teachers working with pupils with special educational needs and pupils who require learning support.

See the website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/froebel-department-primary-and-early-childhood-education/our-courses/postgraduate-diploma-special-educational-needs

Course Structure

The programme runs from September until May and is delivered by a core team supported by a cohort of associate lecturers with a wide range of expertise. Issues pertaining to inclusive education and special needs will be explored and teachers are supported in implementing skills to support the learning and teaching of students with special educational needs. The programme also includes supervised work in the teachers’ own school and supported ongoing study throughout the year using a variety of modes of content delivery. In addition, it also involves online and distance learning and teachers will be required to attend lectures and workshops at Froebel Dept in Maynooth over the course of approximately 15 weekends (Friday 4pm-8pm and Saturday 9-4pm).

Career Options

Graduates of the course will be better equipped to address the ever changing challenges of the modern educational environment in mainstream or special schools. Graduates will be qualified to work as educators in the area of special education i.e. as special class teachers, learning support teachers or resource teachers.

How To Apply

Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity



As part of the application process you will be required to upload the following:

Transcripts

Evidence of Garda Clearance

Evidence of Teaching Council registration

Two references

Letter from your Principal confirming that you meet the minimum required contact hours with students with SEN (10 hours) and that you are on a fixed contract or in a permanent position.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/fees-funding-scholarships

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This programme, which is run by the Department of Special Education, admits 50 qualified teachers including Learning Support Teachers, and Resource Teachers in Primary and Post-Primary schools, teachers in Special Schools, and teachers employed by VECs as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach, Community Projects or in the Prison Service who meet the criteria in the annual Circular. The programme leads to the award of a Graduate Diploma in Special Education, accredited by the University of Limerick.

This programme provides a broad overview of special education and provision in the Irish context. It also offers an in-depth exploration of a Special Educational Needs area of choice (Autism, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Mild General Learning Disabilities, Emotional & Behavioural Disorders, Down syndrome, etc.) for each participant, and provides particular expertise in both ICT and the analysis of behaviour.

The course runs from September to May of the following year and involves block release from school for designated periods (a total of eight weeks), and four Saturdays.

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This specialism has been designed as either an introductory course for teachers commencing work in special education or as a refresher course for those who wish to update their knowledge, competencies and instructional approaches.

This course may be offered in regional Education Centres.

Components Include:

Introduction to Special Education for the Classroom Teacher
Special Needs and the Curriculum
Including Children with Disabilities into the Ordinary Classroom
Special Education Support for the Ordinary School

The course has a taught component and a dissertation. The duration will normally be two years part-time or three years part-time or one year full time.

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