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Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Sonraí an Chúrsa
| Course Code | SG_GPROF_O09 |
|---|---|
| Céim | 9 |
| Fad ama | 2 years |
| Creidmheasanna | 60 |
| Modh Seachadta | Online |
| Suímh campais | St Angelas |
| Modh Seachadta | Páirtaimseartha |
Forbhreathnú Cúrsa
An inclusive education system includes, welcomes, and supports all learners to learn and teachers must be professionally competent and confident in teaching and breaking down barriers to ensure every child and young person can achieve their full potential.
This online learning programme enables teachers and educational professionals to acquire a thorough professional knowledge and understanding of inclusive education to support them to create inclusive classrooms.
The programme will equip teachers and other educational professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to be effective in supporting the education of learners in an inclusive context, including those with special educational needs.
The programme is underpinned by constructivist, student-centred, active and participative methodologies offered within a collaborative online learning community, cognisant of best practice in a professional context and excellence in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches. This Postgraduate Diploma is aimed at teachers and educational professionals, with the flexibility to fit their studies around their current work commitments.
Programme Outline
The programme is structured to provide students with a range of elective modules so that their learning journey can be personalised and shaped to their interests and professional needs.
Elective modules include Inclusive Instructional Strategies, Introduction to Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Literacy and Dyslexia, Numeracy and Dyscalculia (January 2026 intake), Supporting Students with Autism (January 2026 intake), Supporting Students with General Learning Disabilities.
Students successfully completing 60 ECTS of modules (i.e. 4 modules) exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education (60 ECTS).
Should students wish to complete the Master of Arts in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education at a future stage in their studies, they can opt to complete the Advanced Research module (listed at stage 2) as the 4th module for the Diploma instead of choosing one of the optional modules listed above.
Alternatively, students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate on successfully completing 30 ECTS (2 modules)
Course Details
Please note: Numeracy and Dyscalculia and Supporting Students with Autism are the only modules open for January 2026 intake.
Uaireanta Staidéir Molta in aghaidh na seachtaine
Each 15 credit module holds a total participant effort of 300 hours. This usually encompasses contact hours, directed study and independent study.
Scrúdú agus Measúnú
Modules will normally be assessed by continuous assessment/written/project coursework (up to a maximum of 5,000 words per module) based on a variety of assessment methods (e.g. written assignment, e-tivities, presentation, poster) where appropriate. Regular coursework assignments will make an important contribution to the learning process by encouraging students to internalise knowledge, use learning resources of their own and develop practice skills, skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and reflection.
Riachtanas Tinrimh ar an gCampas
Stage 1 modules: Modules in stage 1 are online.
Stage 2 modules: The Advanced Research module is delivered exclusively online in semester 1, with the exception of one half-day on-campus workshop. This is held in late January, usually on a Saturday.
Stage 2 modules: The Advanced Research module is delivered exclusively online in semester 1, with the exception of one half-day on-campus workshop. This is held in late January, usually on a Saturday.
Download a prospectus
Riachtanais Iontrála
This programme is aimed at a wide range of graduates working in educational settings (e.g. primary, post-primary, higher education, adult and further education). Applicants will normally possess a Level 8 Undergraduate Degree (H2.2 or above) in Education or equivalent.
Gairmeacha
This programme is suitable for candidates who wish to progress further in their professional sector (education) including those who are already in employment. It aims to enhance professional knowledge, and it is designed to provide a student-centred, accessible, flexible, coherent framework for the personal, professional and academic development of participants.
Further Information
Cé Ba Chóir Iarratas a Dhéanamh?
This programme is aimed at a wide range of graduates working in educational settings (e.g. primary, post-primary, higher education, adult and further education).
Eolas Teagmhála
Department
Education
