The Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is a full-time programme running for 9 months from the date of first registration for the programme designed for primary and post-primary teachers. Teachers will be released from their schools for 8 weeks during the academic year to attend lectures and seminars in the University. In addition, teachers will be supervised in their schools during the portion of the academic year when they return to their teaching duties. Teachers will also be required to undertake action research and case study work in their schools, all of which will form an integral part of the programme.

Application forms containing further details and requirements will be available as a circular and will be posted on the Department of Education and Skills website www.education.ie in January of the year of entry to the programme.

This programme is for all serving teachers including those who provide Learning Support and Resource Teaching in recognised Primary schools, Post-Primary schools, and other recognised Educational Services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply.

Priority will be given to teachers who meet the criteria below and who have not already attended a similar post-graduate programme for Learning Support teachers or teachers of pupils with Special Educational Needs approved by the Department of Education and Skills.

Please note that teachers will not be eligible to take up a place or continue on the programme unless the necessary hours and facilities to enable full participation are provided in their own school setting.

(a) Primary

Please note that all teachers must be registered in accordance with Sections 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001. Please refer to the Teaching Council website (www.teachingcouncil.ie) for further information.

Applicants should have satisfactorily completed their probationary period in accordance with the Teaching Council document Procedures for Induction and Procedures and Criteria for Probation (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and hold a position in a sanctioned post in an area of special education or learning support, or be taking up such posts in September of the year of course commencement. For the purpose of this programme, teachers will be required to deliver programmes related to the teaching of pupils with special educational needs and/or those requiring learning support.

(b) Post Primary

Please note that all teachers must be registered in accordance with Sections 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001. Applicants from Post-Primary Schools should have successfully completed their Induction and Post Qualification Employment (PQE).

Learning Support Teachers
Applications are invited from qualified teachers who are assigned to Learning Support work for a minimum of 11 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than six pupils. Additional time should also be made available for consultation with parents/guardians or colleagues. Together with work in numeracy, assigned Learning Support hours must include at least 4 class periods per week of literacy work (emphasis on reading, writing, listening and speaking).

Resource Teachers
Applications are invited from recognised second-level schools/centres that have been allocated resource posts or resource hours or officially sanctioned special classes. The person nominated must be a teacher eligible to hold a permanent post in recognised second level schools. In order to be eligible for the programme, teachers must spend a minimum of 11 hours per week working with pupils who have special educational needs. For the purpose of this programme, teachers will need to deliver a range of programmes related to teaching of students with special educational needs.

(c) Special Schools

Please note that all teachers must be registered in accordance with Sections 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001.

Applications are invited from teachers in Special Schools. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed their probationary period in accordance with the Teaching Council document Procedures for Induction and Procedures and Criteria for Probation (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and hold a sanctioned post in a Special School or be taking up such posts in September of the year of commencement of the programme.

(d) Other Educational Services

Please note that all teachers must be registered in accordance with Section 31 of the Teaching Council Act, 2001.

Applicants must be recognised by the Teaching Council as being eligible for permanent appointment in a primary, post-primary or special school.

Applications are invited from qualified teachers employed by Education and Training Boards as literacy and/or numeracy tutors in Youthreach, Community Projects or in the Prison Service and who are assigned to Learning Support work for a minimum of 11 hours per week. At least four class periods should be allocated to teaching individuals or groups of not more than six pupils. Additional time should also be made available for consultation with parents/guardians or colleagues. Together with work in numeracy, assigned Learning Support hours must include at least 4 class periods per week of literacy work.

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.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

ED6201 Special Educational Needs - School Organisation and Practice (10 credits)
ED6202 Assessment for and of Individual Pupil Learning and Attainment (10 credits)
ED6203 Curriculum Provision and Teaching Methodologies for Pupils with Special Educational Needs (10 credits)
ED6204 Supporting Pupils with Additional Learning Needs (10 credits)
ED6205 Contemporary Issues in Special Educational Needs (10 credits)
ED6206 Developing Inclusive Practice and Provision (10 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 2018 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2017/2018.

Entry to the MEd
For candidates who satisfactorily meet the entry requirements of the MEd, and have achieved an honours grade in the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, an exemption of 60 credits of the taught element of the MEd programme will be granted. The remaining 60 credits of the MEd programme must include the compulsory dissertation of 30 credits.

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

• Return to school or centre, teach and coordinate a learning support/SEN provision;
• Apply course materials in either of above contexts;
• Function as a resource person for other teachers in advising on learning support/SEN issues;
• Monitor and appraise developments in the provision of test materials;
• Act as a liaison between school and other specialist outside agencies in relation to Learning Support/Special Educational Needs.