Applicants for the MEd (Modular) must hold a teaching qualification as follows:

• a primary degree and the Professional Diploma in Education (formerly the Postgraduate/Higher Diploma in Education) (or its equivalent) with at least Second Class Honours in one, or
• a BEd (Hons) Degree (or its equivalent) with at least Second Class Honours, or
• a BSc (Hons) (Science Education) (Education in Physical Sciences) (or its equivalent) with at least Second Class Honours,
• the BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies (or its equivalent) with at least Second Class Honours Grade 1 (2H1).

Teaching experience equivalent to five full years (excluding pre-service) will be considered as an Honours equivalent.

In addition applicants must have a minimum of one year's post teacher education professional teaching experience (or certified equivalent e.g. research in schools, voluntary work with schools, working with school teams).

In addition to the above requirements, applicants who have achieved at least a second class honours grade in one of the following postgraduate diplomas (or approved equivalent) will be exempt attendance at 60 credits of the taught element of the MEd (Modular) Programme and must undertake two modules (30 credits) and the dissertation (30 credits): Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration, Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Religious Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support/Compensatory and Remedial Education, Postgraduate Diploma in Curriculum Studies (Civic, Social and Political Education), Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, Postgraduate Diploma in Spanish/Italian for Post-Primary Teachers, Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School, An tArd-Teastas i dTeagasc agus i Litríocht na Gaeilge, Postgraduate Diploma in English and the Teaching of English.

The MEd is a modular programme which can be studied in a flexible timescale within a five year period. Students can design their own programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests.

• A total of 120 credits (or 60 credits in the case of a holder of one of the approved postgraduate diplomas) must be accumulated before a candidate is eligible for the award of the degree of MEd;
• Applicants are limited to studying a maximum of 30 credits in any one Semester (i.e. a maximum of 60 credits in any one year);
• In the Semester that the student is registered for the compulsory Dissertation module (ED6035) no other taught modules can be selected;
• All taught modules are normally completed in advance of completing the Dissertation module (ED6035). The topic of the dissertation must be related to an area of specialisation and/or a module area previously studied;
• If a student takes a break from studies (having completed at least one module) and wishes to re-enter the course, he/she will be required to contact the Department of Education in writing by 1 April prior to returning to study. Any student who registers and withdraws from the programme (without paying fees or completing at least one module) must re-apply for the programme.

ED6035 Dissertation in Education (30 credits)
All students must attend the required 12 hours of research seminars, develop a detailed research proposal of 2,500 words and write a dissertation of 15,000 words. Every effort will be made to accommodate student's choice in their dissertation topic within the resources and expertise of the school. The dissertation must be submitted by mid-June of the academic year in which it is to be examined.

Elective Modules
Note: The MEd is currently being revised in a way that will limit the choice and range of modules on offer. The School of Education reserves the right to change modules and to limit the number of modules on offer. It is anticipated that the following 15 credit modules will be available in 2015/16:
ED6012  Perspectives on Literacy Development (15 credits)
ED6018  Models of Childhood in Postmodern Culture (15 credits)
ED6020  Second Language Learning (15 credits)
ED6040  Topics in Mathematics Education (15 credits)
ED6042  Learning as Identity: Teaching Implications (15 credits)
ED6050  Sport Pedagogy in Physical Education and Youth Sport (15 credits)
ED6051  The Education of Pupils with Selected Categories of Special Educational Needs (15 credits)
ED6054  Perspectives on Play and Experiential Learning in Early Childhood (15 credits)   

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies
Candidates on the 120 credit route who pass at least 60 credits of taught modules may elect to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies
Candidates who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MEd (Modular) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Specify how the variety of modules studied contributed to their continuing professional development;
• Discuss key issues pertaining to teaching, learning and schooling in the 21st century;
• Reflect critically on the role of the teacher in the contemporary classroom;
• Display understanding of some core relevant educational theories and perspectives;
• Source, read, understand and critically discuss relevant professional literature;
• Relate relevant professional literature, policy and research to their classroom or appropriate professional practice site;
• Design, conduct and write up a research study pertaining to some element of their professional practice;
• Discuss the complexity of the research process.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• To provide continuing professional development for educators at all levels.
• To enable educators to attain a post-graduate diploma within areas of professional and personal interest.
• To stimulate critical reflection on educational theory and classroom practice.
• To develop educators’ understanding in the broad field of educational studies and introduce them to various modes of research within that field.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• To provide continuing professional development for educators at all levels.
• To enable educators to attain a post-graduate certificate within areas of professional and personal interest.
• To stimulate critical reflection on educational theory and classroom practice.