Overview

Hibernia College’s Professional Diploma in Education (previously the H.Dip. in Arts in Post Primary Education*) was established to encourage a broader range of people to consider teaching as a profession by providing a more flexible route to becoming a fully qualified post primary school teacher.

The design of the programme, blending online and face-to-face tuition, is ideal for those who want to continue working while studying for their teaching qualification. The programme is also ideal for anyone who does not have easy access to one of the traditional education providers or who doesn’t have time to spend commuting to and from lectures daily.

The programme is accredited for the following 13 teaching subjects: Gaeilge, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography, CSPE, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business and Economics. The College is now accepting applications for the October 2013 cohort. The College reserves the right, based on applicant demand, to not offer every subject at every programme start date. Any application fees paid for programmes that are subsequently not offered will be refunded.

The programme results in a HETAC Level 8 award and is professionally accredited by the Teaching Council. To see a diagram explaining the National Framework of Qualifications, click here.

To register for one of our upcoming Information Events, please click here.

Key Information

• Next intake: October 2013
• Academic accreditation: QQI (Formerly HETAC) Level 8
• Professional accreditation: The Teaching Council
• Minimum duration: Two academic years
• Tuition fees: €9,950 (tax relief available)
  This is the total amount of tuition fees due and covers both years of the programme.
• Early bird application offer: Applications received no later than 5 pm 21st June 2013 will receive a reduced application fee of just €50. Applications received after this date will be subject to the standard fee of €80*
• Final application deadline: 30th August 2013*

*Please note: that you should be prepared to come for interview from approximately two weeks after receipt of application depending on the volume of applications at that time.  Applications received prior to the 21st of June 2013 will be prioritised when it comes to securing an interview and will avail of our early bird application fee offer. Interview times approaching the final closing date of the 30th August 2013 and following this are limited and we strongly recommend that you submit your application on the earliest possible date to guarantee an interview.

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* Notice regarding change of name
Please note that the H.Dip. in Arts in Post Primary Education has been renamed as the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE). This change is in line with the latest directive from the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), and the new award title will be used by all higher education providers of initial post-primary teaching qualifications in the state. It is important to note that the content, recognition and accreditation of the programme remain unchanged. For more information about this change, see the Teaching Council web site.

Entry Requirements

The programme is accredited for the following 13 teaching subjects: Gaeilge, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography, CSPE, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business and Economics.

The College reserves the right, based on applicant demand, to not offer every subject at every programme start date. Any application fees paid for programmes which subsequently are not offered will be refunded.

All applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Level 8 degree

2. Additional criteria for specific subjects

3. English qualification

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ascertain whether their specific qualifications are in accord with the Teaching Council requirements, satisfying the general and specific criteria and on their list of degree programmes recognised for post-primary registration purposes.

1. Level 8 degree

Applicants are required to have a Level 8 degree, which either:

• Satisfies the curricular subject criteria published by the Teaching Council and is included on the Teaching Council’s List of Degree/Teacher Education Programmes Recognised for Post-Primary Registration Purposes available on the Teaching Council web site. This list details the institution of study, awarding body/institution, title of the award and any specific requirements attached to it. It also confirms the subject this qualifies the degree holder to teach, subject to the general and specific criteria being satisfied. It is essential that all details of the degree match what is outlined on both the criteria document and the Teaching Council list. Any queries in relation to this should be directed to the Teaching Council.
• Has been previously assessed by the Registration Council of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) or the Teaching Council for the purpose of post-primary teaching. A copy of the letter confirming recognition will be required.

2. Additional criteria for specific subjects

Applicants who do not have a letter of recognition from the Teaching Council relating to their degree (as described above) must also refer to the subject-specific criteria (post-primary) on the Teaching Council web site to ensure that all general and specific criteria for their subject are met.

3. English qualification

In addition to the above, Hibernia College requires all applicants to possess:

• A minimum grade C (Ordinary Level) or grade D (Higher Level) in Leaving Certificate English

Or

• A minimum grade C in GCSE English or minimum grade C in GCSE English Literature

Or

• An equivalent qualification and standard in English

Notes

Note 1: Applicants who are unsure of the level of their primary degree should contact the conferring college or university or contact the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland at www.nqai.ie.

Note 2: Hibernia College is in no way responsible for the assessment of qualifications for the purpose of registration. While we will make every effort at the time of application to notify applicants if we believe there may be a concern with their qualification, the fact that they are accepted on to the Professional Diploma does not mean their degree will be recognised for entry on to the Register of Teachers by the Teaching Council. Hibernia College will not be held responsible if a graduate of the Professional Diploma is refused admission to the Register of Teachers on the basis of an erroneous declaration at the point of application and admission to the programme.

Note 3: There are no concessions for mature students. All applicants must meet the same minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission to the programme, and all applicants who meet those requirements will be called for interview.

Note 4: All students entering the programme will be subject to Garda vetting. Students successful in securing an offer of a place on the programme will be advised that all offers are subject to a satisfactory Garda vetting.

Structure

Hibernia College’s Professional Diploma in Education is a 60-credit programme taking place over two academic years.

The programme is delivered using a blend of online and on-site face-to-face tuition. Approximately 45% of the programme is delivered online. The following is a breakdown of the time requirements of each element of the course:

• On-demand online lectures and self-study: approximately 12 hours per week
• Online tutorials: approximately two hours per week
• Onsite lectures: fourteen on-site sessions at weekends over the two years of the course (Locations of the on-site sessions will depend on the geographic spread of students in each cohort; four of these on-site sessions cover teaching methodologies and will be held centrally.)
• School observation: one week full time
• Professional practice: fourteen weeks full time, broken into blocks of four, five and five weeks, recommended to be undertaken in a minimum of two schools

Assessment is performed through a combination of exams and continuous assessment as well as assessment of the school experience, which includes assessed observation of the student teacher.

Learning Outcomes

Syllabus

The Professional Diploma in Education consists of four core modules:

Foundations of education

This module covers the history of education, philosophy of education, sociology of education, psychology of education and psychology of adolescence.

Methodologies of teaching

Each student teacher will study two recognised post-primary subjects that were taken as a major component of their degree programme as per Teaching Council regulations.

The programme offers up to 13 teaching subjects: Gaeilge, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography, CSPE, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Business and Economics.

Any student who has only studied one subject at degree level or does not have a second subject recognised by the Teaching Council for the purpose of registration as a post-primary teacher will also be required to undertake a second curriculum methodology. In such cases, suitability to study the second subject methodology as part of the Professional Diploma will be assessed by the Programme Director during the admissions stage.

School experience and professional practice

This module is at the heart of the Professional Diploma in Education. It includes 1 week of full-time teacher and classroom observation and 14 weeks of full-time teaching practice (in blocks of 4 weeks, 5 weeks and 5 weeks). It is recommended that teaching practice be undertaken in at least two different schools. Note that students will be expected to secure their own school placements.

Developing the professional teacher

This module sets out to extend understanding of the school organisation beyond the traditional elements of teaching and learning to include new school programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), Junior Certificate Schools Programme (JCSP), Transition Year (TY) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, students will:

• Have developed the skills and competencies to educate the young people in their care in a social-emotional learning environment

• Have the professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills required to be a competent post-primary teacher in a constantly changing, turbulent and complex society

• Be equipped with the theoretical and conceptual tools necessary for developing creative and flexible approaches to teaching and enabling students to address the potentially complex and manifold educational needs of a diverse pupil population

• Develop multifarious skills in collegiality, teamwork and whole-school planning and development

• Possess an in-depth understanding of the ethical and legal obligations of the teacher

• Support the ethos of the school

• Exercise a duty of care and a pastoral role in their professional lives

• Predict and plan for curricular delivery in a second-level school

• Analyse how schools plan their work, and apply their own subject area to this work

• Evaluate and judge different school-based situations in relation to the law

• Facilitate new programmes and out-of-classroom activities

• Evaluate and support the learning needs of students with any learning difficulties

• Possess the confidence and competence to teach their subject in a range of different programmes and to a range of different levels

• Have a firm grasp of the concepts and theories of the foundation subjects of psychology, philosophy, sociology and history and the relevance of these to modern-day post-primary teaching

• Have familiarity with and confidence in using appropriate teaching strategies to incorporate information and communication technology (ICT) into their teaching and the skills to support learners in the use of ICT

• Acknowledge the complexity of adolescence and have particular cognisance of the adolescent in the post-primary school, paying special attention to equipping the teacher with a diverse suite of skills

• Have developed a high level of competence in lesson preparation, teaching skills, evaluation capabilities as well as furthering their professional command of curricula and their integrated delivery through the undertaking of a minimum of 15 weeks of mandatory school experience and professional practice

• Have a critical understanding of the importance of assessment and the current issues in this area (In addition, students will study the variety of assessment methods that are available to them and the merits and challenges of these for a diverse pupil population.)

• Have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the second-level system incorporating, among other things, school structures and planning, legal and ethical imperatives, and education for the marginalised

• Have an appreciation of the importance and the place of educational research and possess an initial set of skills to undertake such research

• Have an in-depth understanding that initial teacher education is but a starting point in professional and personal development and lifelong learning

• Learn in a dynamic technologically driven environment that will equip them to take this forward into the secondary school

• Learn to explore their own self-awareness, self-control and emotional intelligence

• Emerge as modern professionals with an understanding of the potential and ongoing issues in second-level education

Teaching Subjects

Teaching subjects offered

The programme is accredited for the following 13 teaching subjects:

1.    Gaeilge
2.    English
3.    Modern Languages*
4.    History
5.    Geography
6.    CSPE
7.    Mathematics
8.    Physics
9.    Chemistry
10.  Biology
11.  Accounting
12.  Business
13.  Economics

First teaching subjects

Each student teacher will study recognised post-primary subjects that were taken as a major component of their degree programme as per Teaching Council regulations (general and special requirements for teachers of recognised subjects in mainstream post-primary education).

Second teaching subject

In accordance with the Teaching Council regulations, students can be registered with the Teaching Council in one or more subjects based on the recognition of their undergraduate degree for the purpose of registration as a post-primary teacher. Students should choose their registerable subjects as the methodologies they will undertake.

Any student who has only studied one subject at degree level or does not have a second subject recognised by the Teaching Council for the purpose of registration as a post-primary teacher will also be required to undertake a second curriculum methodology. In such cases, suitability to study the second subject methodology as part of the programme will be assessed by the Programme Director during the admissions stage.

In some cases, substantial work experience and/or alternative study (for example, at Master’s degree level) in a second subject may enable the student to choose this subject as a second methodology. Note that evidence of experiential learning to demonstrate subject knowledge and competence may be required and that such claims will be assessed on an individual basis. Experiential evidence provided must be validated by the school principal or head of department as appropriate.

All students are required to study a second methodology. Students can only register with the Teaching Council as a teacher of this second subject if their degree satisfies the Teaching Council’s recognition requirements for this subject.

* Modern Languages

Please note the Modern Languages content is general methodologies. However, applicants will need to secure a teaching placement in the language class selected. Currently, we are offering Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese.

Calendar

Please note that the following dates for the Autumn 2013 cohort are provisional and subject to change:

Programme Director

Melanie Ní Dhuinn
Professional Diploma in Education Programme Director

Melanie is a graduate of the University of Limerick where she qualified as a post-primary teacher of Gaeilge and Physical Education. She taught Gaeilge and Physical Education for 12 years during which time she acted as an assistant written examiner and oral examiner in Gaeilge at Junior and Leaving Certificate level. She worked as a Junior Certificate Schools Programme Co-ordinator and as a School Completion Co-ordinator before being seconded into the role of Education Co-ordinator (DES) at Wexford Area Partnership and subsequently Wexford Local Development.

She has worked at local, national and international levels coordinating, designing, developing and evaluating education programmes in primary, post-primary, third-level and adult education and has extensive experience of working on programmes focusing on educational disadvantage. She has lectured at Wexford Campus, Carlow IT in Research Methods where she had responsibility for thesis supervision for undergraduate students.

Melanie holds a Master’s degree in Health Education Promotion from Waterford Institute of Technology, and she is currently completing her PhD in Education in Trinity College Dublin. Her doctoral research work is a sociological study focusing on the impact of family cultures on educational attainment in post-primary education.

Her research interests are in the areas of family and school cultural capital and life chances, learning styles and online educational provision. She has presented papers at national and international research conferences and has a number of publications in various education and physical activity journals.

• Application fee: €50/€80*
• Course tuition fees: €9,950.
• (This is the total amount of tuition fees due and covers both years of the programme and must be paid in full prior to the start of the programme. Hibernia College do not offer instalment plans for payment).
• Graduation: €60 (fee for 2012)
• Teaching subject 1 & 2 Gaeilge students only: Gaeltacht fee €325 for 2013 and is subject to change (fee for 1 week full-time residential, inclusive of tuition, accommodation and meals)
• Payment of course fees can be made by cheque, bank draft or postal order. The deposit and application fee can be paid by credit card (Visa/Mastercard) and must be made in full before start of the course.
• Fees are subject to change

*Early bird application fee €50 – application must be received by the College no later than 5pm 21st June 2013**

**Please note applicants should be prepared to come for interview from approximately two weeks after receipt of application

Tax relief

• Tax relief on the course tuition fees is available to students at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) for the relevant tax year. More details are available on the Irish Revenue website.

Programmatic Review 2013/2014

Based on directives from the Teaching Council to all colleges of education, Hibernia College has commenced a process of re-conceptualising and re-structuring of the PDE programme. Changes that are likely to be introduced include increasing ECTS credits from 60 to 120, a longer period of in-school experience (provisionally 24 weeks, increased from 15) and new subject knowledge enhancement modules. The alterations to the format will be introduced over time. Each of these changes will result in an increase in the cost of programme delivery. Accordingly, the programme fees will increase to €9950 from the Autumn 2013 intake.

The new programme is likely to be fully implemented from the Autumn 2014 intake.

Mentors

Schools Partnership

The Hibernia College Post Primary Schools Partnership Programme (PPSPP)

The PPSPP is a partnership between Irish post-primary schools and Hibernia College. It aims to create a positive, supportive and progressive learning and practice environment for graduate student teachers (GSTs) on teaching placements in schools. Hibernia College students must complete three blocks of school experience/professional practice of four, five and five weeks duration as part of their Professional Diploma in Education programme. This module is the cornerstone of the programme when students are afforded an opportunity to engage in Teaching Practice in two subject areas and acquire the teaching skills and competencies required to fully participate in all aspects of post-primary school life.

How does it work?

• Post-primary school partners host individual or multiple school experience/Teaching Practice placements in different subject areas during the academic year while promoting quality GST support and mentoring.
• Hibernia College supports school-based mentors (practising teachers from within the school) in their mentor role through tailored mentor training and regular contact with a Teaching Practice supervisor.
• Hibernia College manages and quality assures the blended learning teacher education programme while monitoring the overall programme compliance and consistency.
• Hibernia College provides a range of benefits to mentors and schools to support professional development.

Hibernia College’s offer to schools

Participation in the Post Primary School Partnership Programme will provide access to a range of benefits and professional development opportunities for schools, mentors and other school staff.

• Online mentor training package (available for all mentors who mentor GSTs)
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL) study vouchers for all mentors and principals – vouchers can be exchanged for online modules leading to postgraduate certificate and diploma awards
• Online library use for mentors studying online modules
• Tailored in-service training for all school staff on a range of topics (five or more GSTs per academic year)
• Tailored introductory workshop to research methods for school management and staff (five or more GSTs per academic year)
• Mentors’ network membership
• Principals’ network membership

If you have a question that isn’t answered on this website, you can

• email it to info@hiberniacollege.net, post it to our Facebook page on www.Facebook.com/HiberniaCollege
• Tweet us at @HiberniaCollege
• or submit it in the "Ask a Question" section at the end of this page.

Questions

• Can I hold down full-time employment while completing this course?
• Do I need previous teaching experience?
• When is the next intake?
• Are there concessions for mature students?
• I’ve sent in my application. How long will it be before I get called for interview?
• I have a primary degree but I don’t know if it’s "Level 8"
• Is recognition of prior learning possible?
• When do the live online tutorials take place?
• Is there an upper age limit for enrolling on the programme?
• Is there a limit to the number of times I can apply?
• What can I expect in the interview?
• I have a primary degree but I do not know if it qualifies for the Teaching Council requirements for a registration as a teacher.

Can I hold down full-time employment while completing this course?

This is a part-time course so, in theory, you can be in full-time employment. However, there is a sizeable time commitment including 14 weeks of full-time on-site professional practice.

Do I need previous teaching experience?

No. It is not a requirement to have prior teaching experience to be eligible to apply for this course.

When is the next intake?

There are two intakes per year, in the spring and autumn (usually March and October).

Are there concessions for mature students?

No. All applicants must meet the same minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission to the programme and all applicants who meet those requirements will be called for interview.

I’ve sent in my application. How long will it be before I get called for interview?

Currently, it takes 6 to 8 weeks from receipt of application to interview. Each applicant receives an e-mail to acknowledge receipt of their application and will then be contacted by phone to arrange their interview. All interviews take place at Hibernia College, 2 Clare Street, Dublin 2. The Admissions Office will endeavour to give applicants at least one week notice prior to their interview.

I have a primary degree but I don’t know if it’s "Level 8"

If you are unsure of the level of your primary degree, you should contact the conferring college or university, or contact the awarding body or the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland at www.nqai.ie.

Is recognition of prior learning possible?

No, not for application to this course. However, prior learning and experience may be taken into account when assessing suitability for the second subject methodology.

When do the live online tutorials take place?

The live online tutorials generally take place on weekdays from 6-8 pm

Is there an upper age limit for enrolling on the programme?

No. There is no upper age limit.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can apply?

No. However, if a candidate is unsuccessful on three occasions, the College will not accept further applications for a period of 12 months. Each subsequent unsuccessful application will also result in further applications not being accepted for a further period of 12 months.

What can I expect in the interview?

You will be expected to demonstrate your interest in the teaching field and your competence in your chosen subject area.

I have a primary degree but I do not know if it qualifies for the Teaching Council requirements for a registration as a teacher.

Applicants should refer to the Teaching Council’s curricular subject criteria and the list of degree/teacher education programmes recognised for post-primary registration purposes.

This list details the institution of study, awarding body/institution, title of the award and any specific requirements attached to it. It also confirms the subject this qualifies the degree holder to teach subject to the general and specific criteria being met. It is essential that all details of the degree match what is outlined on the curricular subject criteria document and the Teaching Council list. Any queries in relation to this should be directed to the Teaching Council.

Any applicant who either

•    has a degree which does not appear on this list or does not satisfy the general and specific criteria requirements
or
•    does not have a letter of recognition from the DES or the Teaching Council

may apply to have their degree assessed by the Teaching Council. To do this, applicants should refer to form PPQA-01 on the Teaching Council website.

Any queries in respect of qualification recognition or assessment should be directed to the Teaching Council. Applicants are advised not to apply for this programme until such a time as they can confirm their degree is recognised by the Teaching Council for the purpose of registering as a teacher. All applications failing to satisfy this requirement will be rejected.

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PDE Application Form Notes