Masters Program

Core Timetable for 1st & 2nd Year students 2012-2013 [PDF]

Course Handbook 2012/13 (PDF)

Writing Guidelines for Dissertation (PDF)

The Master in Education (M.Ed.) programme is now available as a modular programme, and prospective applicants may choose one of the following study modes.

• Option 1: Full-time (see note 1)
  4 modules and 20,000 word dissertation completed in one year
• Option 2: Part-time (see note 2)
  4 modules and 20,000 word dissertation completed over two years
  The taught component is completed in year 1, and the dissertation is completed in year 2.
• Option 3: Part-time (see note 3)
  4 modules and 20,000 word dissertation completed over three years
  2 modules are completed in year 1, 2 modules are completed in year 2, and the dissertation is completed in year 3.

Notes

1. Students intending to apply for the full time route (option 1) must submit a dissertation proposal when applying.
2. Students wishing to progress to the dissertation year must submit their completed coursework for the taught component of the programme (4 modules) by July 31st of the year following entry to the programme.
3. Students wishing to progress to the dissertation year must submit their completed coursework for the taught component of the programme (4 modules) by July 31st in their second year of the programme.

Aims of the programme

The degree is intended for persons who wish to gain a comprehensive and contemporary understanding in one of the specialisms offered or in a number of disciplines that inform educational theory and practice (the Foundation Studies track). It seeks to equip those who aspire to positions of leadership in fields such as teaching, teacher education, health sciences education, educational management, educational guidance and counselling, special education, arts education, school violence and aggression, and educational research, with an ability to participate effectively in the advancement of knowledge, the formation of policy, the promotion of innovation, and the improvement of practice.

Who is the programme for?

The course is open to teachers at all levels of the education system, as well as other suitably qualified professionals working in the area of education, training and educare. Graduates in fields such as history, philosophy, psychology, administration or health sciences, who do not have such experience, but who wish to relate their particular fields of competence to the practice of education, may also be considered on an individual basis.

Admission requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honors degree and have at least two years experience in the field of education.

Course structure

The M.Ed. programme is built around the following distinct specialisms. Please note, not all specialisms may run in a given academic year and are subject to minimum student numbers. Please see details below;

• Aggression Studies
• Co-operative Learning
• Drama in Education
• Educational Guidance and Counselling
• Foundation Studies
• Leadership and Management in Education
• Positive Behaviour Management
• Science Education
• Special Educational Needs
• Higher Education

Academic Credit

The total credit rating for the programme is 90 ECTS. These credits are distributed among the taught components and the dissertation. The taught component carries 60 ECTS and each track contains four themed modules (15 ECTS each). Students are also required to attend support sessions in Academic Writing and Critique.

The remaining 30 ECTS are allocated to the dissertation, and included within these credits, 5 are allocated to formal research methodology sessions.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The integration of theory and practice is stressed in the content of the modules and in the assessments as appropriate to each track. Active teaching and learning strategies are used in the presentation of modules. Each of the four modules is assessed, and a variety of methods including projects, case studies, portfolios, reports and essays are used.

Typically the teaching activities are organised outside of normal school hours, such as during the evenings and at weekends, and classes are held in Trinity College and where possible, in regional Education Centres. Details are available in the individual course descriptions below or by contacting the course administrators at: master.education@tcd.ie

Assessment

Typically, students will complete four written (or equivalent) assignments of between 4-5,000 words per module, which are graded, with 40% being the pass level. The size and type of assessment will vary according to the requirements of the modules and the specialism being pursued. The research methods module is compulsory and will form part of the student’s final dissertation work. The course in academic writing and critique is assessed on a pass/fail basis and attendance is compulsory.

Students wishing to progress to the masters dissertation must achieve an average of 50% or above in the taught component of the programme. The dissertation is 20,000 words in length. [Please note guidelines on writing a dissertation].

Students can be awarded the M.Ed. with Distinction if they achieve a mark of Distinction (70%+) on their dissertation together with a mark of Distinction (an average of 70%+) across the four modules.

Exit route: Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies

Those students who, for any reason, do not wish to continue to the dissertation on the M.Ed. programme may, after satisfactorily completing four modules, apply to exit with a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Studies. Any student, who is awarded the Postgraduate Diploma, automatically forfeits progression to the M.Ed. at any later stage.

Programme fees

The M.Ed. programme fees for 2012/2013 are as follows (see note 1).

Master in Education

Notes

1. Please note that all fees quoted above are for guidance only, fees can be confirmed with the Treasurer's Office. University levies also apply.

Admission

The closing date for applications for the academic year 2013/14 is the 31st May 2013. Applications for all specialisms for 2013/14 can be made through the web portal system at: http://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/faculty/subjects.php?sub=AHS-ED

Applicants to the 1-year full-time M.Ed. must submit a research proposal as part of the application process. For further details, and an outline of the format required, please contact master.education@tcd.ie

Please note that not all specialisms may run in a given academic year and are subject to minimum student numbers.

Further information

For content related enquiries, please contact the strand leader directly. Details are provided in the individual programme descriptions below.

For all other enquiries, please contact the programme administrators at: master.education@tcd.ie

Or telephone:

• Ms. Keara Eades on: 00-353-1-8963568
• Mr. Daniel Wearen on: 00-353-1-8961290

Postal enquiries to:
Master in Education, School of Education, Room 3133, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Programme descriptions

The M.Ed. provides for specialisation in one of the following areas (please click on link for more information):

• Aggression Studies (PDF)
• Co-operative Learning (PDF)
• Drama in Education (PDF)
• Educational Guidance and Counselling (PDF)
• Foundation Studies (PDF)
  In the case of the Foundation Studies route, the four modules are chosen from a range of courses to include: history of education, philosophy of education, sociology of education, psychology of educational, ICTs in education, Irish language, culture and education, international and comparative education, language education, curriculum, assessment and evaluation, and education and social policy.
• Leadership and Management in Education (PDF)
• Positive Behaviour Management (PDF)
• Science Education (PDF)
• Special Educational Needs (PDF)
• Higher Education (PDF)

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