This programme has been revised in line with Teaching Council requirements. Students who entered First Education in 2013/14 follow the revised curriculum detailed on this page.

The BEd (Hons) (Sports Studies and Physical Education) is a four-year full-time programme leading to the BEd (Hons) Degree (Sports Studies and Physical Education).

During this four-year degree programme, students will study the following:

• The theory and practice of Physical Education, Sport and Physical Activity;
• The theory and practice of Second Level Education;
• A specialist subject from a designated range of subjects in Arts.

On successful completion of the four-year course, BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education graduates will be qualified to teach Physical Education and the Arts subject which they have selected from the list of approved subjects. This degree will give graduates a qualification to:

• Teach Physical Education at secondary school level within Ireland;
• Teach their specialist subject at secondary school level within Ireland;
• Coach at primary or secondary school level;
• Act as a sports coach in a club. In this context, students undertaking this degree will also be advised to take specific coaching courses offered by Coaching Ireland in order to gain accreditation within the National Coaching Development Programme.

Note: The BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education Degree has been fully ratified by the Teaching Council of Ireland (TCI) as providing appropriate qualifications for teaching of Physical Education and one of the following subjects: English, Irish, French, Mathematics (Mathematical Studies) and History.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

WORK PLACEMENT/STUDY PLACEMENT

Each year will include placement in a school and/or a club.

Attendance

Regarding attendance requirements, please see the general regulations here.

Programme Aims

All modules in the programme draw from the following core principles i.e. we seek to produce teachers/coaches who:

• Care about pupil/athlete welfare;
• Have strong pedagogical content knowledge in PE and their arts subject;
• Take responsibility for the management and assessment of pupil/athlete learning;
• Are reflective practitioners (at a critical level);
• Are members of professional learning communities.

Specifically, the SSPE programme team aims to prepare PE teachers/Specialist Subject teachers and Coaches who:

1. Adhere to the Professional Code of Conduct for Teachers (2012) across the Continuum of Teacher Education.
2. Understand PE content, specialist arts subject content disciplinary concepts, and tools of inquiry related to the development of a physically educated person.
3. Understand how individuals learn and develop and who can provide opportunities that support the development of the whole person.
4. Understand how culturally diverse individuals differ in their approaches to learning and how they can create learning experiences to meet their needs.
5. Understand individual and group motivation behaviour and can accordingly create a safe learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
6. Use effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication to promote inquiry, collaboration and engagement in physical activity settings and their specialist arts subject.
7. Can effectively utilise appropriate instructional strategies to develop educated individuals and physically educated individuals.
8. Understand and utilise formal and informal assessment strategies to promote development of the whole person through physical activity and their specialist arts subject.
9. Utilise reflective self-evaluation in their dealings with STs, parents, administrators, colleagues, and members of the community to grow professionally.
10. Use information technology to enhance learning and personal professional productivity.
11. Value ‘sport pedagogy’ and foster collaborative interdisciplinary relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and community agencies to support the development of a physically educated person.
12. Demonstrate an acceptable level of literacy and numeracy competences (in line with the Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life Policy 2011-2020).
13. Prepare PE teachers/coaches/specialist arts subject teachers who are lifelong learners and take professional responsibility to engage fully in the continuum of teacher education throughout their professional lives.
14. Uphold the Teaching Council Professional Code of Conduct for Teachers (2012).

In First Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.

Note: Students taking Irish or French must also complete ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) (5 credits).  Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. All students will register for this module in Fourth Year, irrespective of when they actually undertake it.

Programme Requirements

Students take 60 credits as follows:

AN1063, ED1308, ED1309, ED1310, ED1313, ED1314, ED1316, ED1322, ED1323 (5 credits per module)
plus one Arts subject (15 credits) from the following:
English (5 places only)
French - a student will not normally be allowed to select French unless (s)he has attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent)
Gaeilge/Irish
History
Mathematical Studies

Programme Requirements for Arts subjects begin here.

Change of Subject (First Year only)

Changes to First Year subjects will be allowed, provided subject prerequisites are met, up to four weeks after the start of Semester 1, i.e. until Friday, 7th October 2016. The on-line facility for making changes to subjects will only be open for the first two weeks of Semester 1, i.e. until Friday, 23rd September 2016. Subsequent changes up until Friday, 7th October 2016 must be processed manually through the Student Records and Examinations Office, West Wing, UCC.  Changes for FETAC and Mature students and any other student not presenting with a Leaving Certificate must be processed manually through the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Office, G31, O'Rahilly Building. Change of Subject Forms are available here.

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

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the First University Examination in Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) within three academic years from the date of first registration for First Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

No student may register for Second Sports Studies and Physical Education until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Sports Studies and Physical Education. Students who have been admitted to Second Sports Studies and Physical Education must satisfactorily attend the prescribed modules to the value of 70 credits.

Note: Students taking Irish or French must also complete ED2319 Residency module (5 credits).  Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. All students will register for this module in Fourth Year, irrespective of when they actually undertake it.

Programme Requirements

Students take 70 credits as follows:

ED2305, ED2306, ED2308, ED2314, (5 credits per module), ED2317, ED2318 (10 credits per module), ED2323 (5 credits)
plus 25 credits from their chosen Arts subject continued from First Year.

Programme Requirements for Arts subjects are as follows:

English
Students take 25 credits as follows:
EN2006 or EN2007 or EN2008 (10 credits)
plus 5 credits from Semester 1 and 10 credits from Semester 2.

Semester 1
EN2012; EN2043; EN2046; EN2066; EN2073; EN2078 (5 credits per module).

Semester 2
EN2011; EN2021; EN2023; EN2036; EN2071; EN2077 (5 credits per module).

Note:

• Students must include in their selection at least one lecture or seminar module from the range of Old English, Middle English and Renaissance modules. (These will be designated with the letters OMR on departmental course lists).
• Students may substitute one module from Semester 1 with one module from LL2001, LL2003, GR2019, HS2046.
• Students may not take EN2036 with LL2001.
• Students cannot take modules that are cross-scheduled.

French
Students take 25 credits as follows:
FR2101 (10 credits), FR2202, FR2204 (5 credits per module)
plus 5 credits from the following:
FR2305, FR2306, FR2404, FR2602, FR2702 (5 credits per module)

Note: In addition to the general regulations for passing the year, students must pass FR2101.

Gaeilge
Ní foláir 25 chreidiúint a thógaint mar leanas:
GA2001 (10 creidiúint)
agus dhá mhodúl as:
GA2003, GA2012, GA2013, GA2014, GA2016, GA2019, GA2023, GA2024, GA2026, GA2027 (5 chreidiúint an modúl)
agus modúl amháin as
GA2031 nó GA2032 (5 chreidiúint an modúl)

History
Students take 25 credits as follows:
HI2109 (5 credits per module)
plus either HI2103 or HI2108
plus 15 credits from:
HI2003, HI2014, HI2017, HI2022, HI2025, HI2031, HI2036, HI2038, HI2041, HI2042, HI2043, HI2044, HI2045, HI2046, HI2047, HI2103, HI2108 (5 credits per module).

Mathematical Studies
Students take 25 credits as follows:
MS2005, MS2013, MS2016, MS2015 (5 credits per module)
plus 5 credits from:
MS2014, MS2017, MS2018, MS2019, MS2020 (5 credits per module).

Change of Module
Students wishing to register a change of module must do so via the Student Portal or at the Student Records and Examinations Office no later than two weeks after the start of each Semester, i.e. by Friday, 23 September 2016 (Semester 1) or Friday, 27 January 2017 (Semester 2). Semester 1 modules cannot be changed in Semester 2. No changes in registration will be allowed after these deadlines.

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

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second University Examination in Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

Only students who have passed the Second University Examination in Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Third Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 70 credits.

Note: Students taking Irish or French must also complete ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) (5 credits).  Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. All students will register for this module in Fourth Year, irrespective of when they actually undertake it.

Programme Requirements

Students take 70 credits as follows:

Students select 50 credits from the following:
ED3304, ED3313, ED3315 (5 credits per module), ED3317 (10 credits), ED3319, ED3324, ED3325 (5 credits per module)
plus either
ED3306 and ED3307 (5 credits per module),
or
ED3308 and ED3309 (5 credits per module)

plus 20 credits from the chosen Arts subject continued from Second Year. Programme Requirements for Arts subjects begin here.

Change of Module
Students wishing to register a change of module must do so via the Student Portal or at the Student Records and Examinations Office no later than two weeks after the start of each Semester, i.e. by Friday, 23 September 2016 (Semester 1) or Friday, 27 January 2017 (Semester 2). Semester 1 modules cannot be changed in Semester 2. No changes in registration will be allowed after these deadlines.

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

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Third University Examination in Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) within three academic years from the date of first registration for Third Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

Alternative Pathway for students not proceeding to Fourth Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education)
The Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) (BSpSt) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module (ED3317 (10 credits)) in Year 3 of the BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education programme, or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons). These students would then progress to fourth year Bachelor of Sport Studies (Hons) where, on successful completion, they would qualify with a Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons).

Note: Students who opt for this Pathway are not eligible for a professional teaching qualification.

Third Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies - for students who decide after second year to change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies

Students take 60 credits as follows:

Students select 40 credits from the following:
ED3304, ED3315, ED3319, ED3323, ED3324, ED3325 (5 credits per module)
plus either
ED3306 and ED3307 (5 credits per module),
or
ED3308 and ED3309 (5 credits per module),

plus 20 credits from the chosen Arts subject continued from Second Year.

Third Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies - for students who fail ED3317 and change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies, or who decide during their Third Year not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education programme and instead to change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

Students select 40 credits from the following:
ED3304, ED3313, ED3315, ED3319, ED3324, ED3325 (5 credits per module)
plus either
ED3306 and ED3307 (5 credits per module),
or
ED3308 and ED3309 (5 credits per module),
plus 20 credits from the chosen Arts subject continued from Second Year.

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

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Third University Examination in BSpSt within three academic years from the date of first registration for Third Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

From 2016/17 onwards.

Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Fourth Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 70 credits.

Students taking Irish or French must also register for and complete ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) (5 credits) and will, therefore, register for 75 credits in total in Fourth Year.

Programme Requirements from 2016/17 onwards

Students take 70 or 75 (Gaeilge & French) credits as follows:

ED4311, ED4312, ED4313 (5 credits per module), ED4315, ED4316 (10 credits per module), ED4317 (5 credits), ED4320 (20 credits)
plus 5 credits from the following:
ED4309, ED4310 (5 credits per module)
plus 5 credits from the following:
ED4319, ED4328, ED4329, ED4331, ED4334 (5 credits per module)

Students taking Irish or French must also register for and complete ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) (5 credits) and will, therefore, register for 75 credits in total in Fourth Year.

Change of Module
Students wishing to register a change of module must do so via the Student Portal or at the Student Records and Examinations Office no later than two weeks after the start of each Semester, i.e. by Friday, 23 September 2016(Semester 1) or Friday, 27 January 2017 (Semester 2). Semester 1 modules cannot be changed in Semester 2. No changes in registration will be allowed after these deadlines.

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

Examinations

Full details of 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.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the BEd (Sports Studies and Physical Education) examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

Alternative Pathway for students not completing Fourth Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education)
The Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) (BSpSt) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module ED4320, or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) (BSpSt), and to complete ED4314 (20 credits) within the restrictions of the three year rule. After successfully completing this module these students will then qualify with a Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons).

Note: Students who opt for this pathway are not eligible for a professional teaching qualification.

Fourth Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies (for students progressing from Third Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies) from 2016/17 onwards

Students take 60 credits as follows:
ED4314 (20 credits), ED4315 (10 credits), ED4317, SS3009, SS3011 (5 credits per module), SS3104 (10 credits)
plus 5 credits from the following:
ED4309, ED4310 (5 credits per module)

Fourth Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies - for students who fail ED4320 and/or ED4316 in the Summer or the supplemental examination in Fourth Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education), or who decide during their Fourth Year not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Sports Studies and Physical Education programme and instead to change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies, from 2016/17 onwards

Students take 60 credits as follows:

ED4311, ED4312, ED4313 (5 credits per module), ED4314 (20 credits), ED4315 (10 credits), ED4317 (5 credits)
plus 5 credits from the following:
ED4309, ED4310 (5 credits per module)
plus 5 credits from the following:
ED4319, ED4328, ED4329, ED4331, ED4334 (5 credits per module)

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

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Fourth University Examination in Sport Studies within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule means that the student will be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BEd (Hons) (Sports Studies and Physical Education) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

Thinking and Knowledge

• Know, understand and critically evaluate evidence relating to relevant issues in education, the arts, physical activity, sport and coaching;
• Know and understand and utilise research methodology, current research and current policy and practice;
• Know, understand and practice innovative curriculum approaches, assessment tools and pedagogies to produce an effective learning environment.

Doing and Skills

• Value continued professional development as life-long learners to inform a critical analysis of individual needs and advance personal practice;
• Critically analyse curriculum policy, practice and contemporary debates in education and physical education to promote lifelong learning goals;
• Recognise and effectively utilise best practice to deliver teaching objectives and learning outcomes and create a stimulating learning environment.

Feelings and Attitudes

• Develop effective skills to embrace the future, problem solve and instigate change in a complex global environment;
• Advocate for the teaching and coaching profession from a critically informed perspective.

Transferable and Key Skills

• Integrate the use of ICT and successful communication skills efficiently and effectively in teaching and learning;
• Demonstrate a clear competency in numeracy and literacy skills in class and within assignments.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSpSt (Hons) (Bachelor of Sports Studies) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate discipline knowledge in physical activity and sport that enables graduates to work effectively in diverse contexts;
• Evaluate with critical awareness the role physical activity and sport plays in society and in life-long activity patterns;
• Demonstrate and apply curriculum knowledge and processes as appropriate for sports development;
• Critically engage in contemporary debates on issues relating to physical activity and sport;
• Apply intellectual leadership to progress the area of sport, physical activity and health;
• Engage and participate professionally in their community and take responsibility for their own life-long professional learning;
• Demonstrate a clear competency in numeracy and literacy skills in class and within assignments.