Professional Diploma In Education
Introduction
The Professional Diploma in Education (Secondary Teaching) is a one year, full time, postgraduate course. Students attend College for all or some of the days in the week and are otherwise in schools undertaking teaching practice (TP). This combination allows an integration of theory and practice. Applicants must be university graduates and may have to confirm that their qualifications will be recognised (see note under Admission below). The course is best suited to those seeking to work as secondary teachers in the Republic of Ireland but former students have gone on to work in the UK and elsewhere.
Application and Selection Process
Closing Date: Applications for the 2012-13 intake for entry in September 2012 is Now Closed.
Application: Applications for this course should be made online through PAC.
Please note: All supporting documentation must be received by PAC no later than 20th December 2011.
Selected applicants will be called to interview in Spring as part of the selection process.
The intake of the Professional Diploma in Education at TCD is approximately 135 students. We apply a quota for each of the 10 pedagogy subjects offered on the course (see list below). Please be aware that you must apply for a specific teaching subject (as listed below) and your application will be assessed with others for that teaching subject.
Please note applications for the Trinity College Dublin Professional Diploma in Education are entirely separate from the NUI PGDE application and selection system.
- TRD01 – Professional Diploma in Education (Accounting)
- TRD02 – Professional Diploma in Education (Applied Mathematics)
- TRD03 – Professional Diploma in Education (Biology)
- TRD04 – Professional Diploma in Education (Business)
- TRD05 – Professional Diploma in Education (Chemistry)
- TRD07 – Professional Diploma in Education (Economics)
- TRD08 – Professional Diploma in Education (English)
- TRD09 – Professional Diploma in Education (French)
- TRD10 – Professional Diploma in Education (Geography)
- TRD11 – Professional Diploma in Education (German)
- TRD12 – Professional Diploma in Education (History)
- TRD13 – Professional Diploma in Education (Irish)
- TRD14 – Professional Diploma in Education (Italian)
- TRD15 – Professional Diploma in Education (Mathematics)
- TRD16 – Professional Diploma in Education (Music)
- TRD17 – Professional Diploma in Education (Physics)
- TRD18 – Professional Diploma in Education (Religious Education)
- TRD19 – Professional Diploma in Education (Spanish)
- TRD20 – Professional Diploma in Education (Other Languages)
Before applying please read the following:
The Teaching Council (TC) is the body that registers teachers for second-level schools in the Republic of Ireland. For registration, the TC requires that the following are held: [1] a primary degree that includes, as a substantial component, at least one subject from the list of those taught at Leaving Certificate level and [2] the Professional Diploma in Education. In certain instances individual application must be made to the TC in order to confirm that a degree is recognised for these purposes. This is especially the case for all degrees awarded by universities outside the Republic of Ireland. It is also the case for some degrees awarded within the RoI. While we will make every effort to let you know at the time of your application if we think there may be a problem with your qualification(s) the fact that you have been accepted onto the Professional Diploma in Education course does NOT mean your degree will be recognised for teaching purposes by the TC. You should also be aware of the fact that the process of seeking recognition from the TC can take some time and may be complicated.
To contact the TC please use the contact information provided at http://www.teachingcouncil.ie
Remember, it is your responsibility to seek advice should you have any doubt about this matter, and to make an individual application if necessary.
Course Overview
We seek to develop in our students – [a] knowledge and appreciation of the discipline of education; [b] a sense of the broad context of Irish education as part of society as a whole; [c] an appreciation of the complicated nature of the teacher’s role and of the function[s] of schools in society; [d] knowledge of a range of models of instruction, with the ability to choose between them and to apply them in classrooms, laboratories and elsewhere; [e] the ability and willingness to act as reflective practitioners, adopting critical insights into practice as appropriate. For more information see the 
2011/12 Course Handbook (PDF).
The course is staffed by a combination of full-time and part-time lecturers and tutors, the former being Trinity lecturers who have wide research interests and experience in teaching in schools and higher education, the latter typically being current or recently retired teachers who bring extensive classroom experience.
Course Name and Level
Nationally all PDE courses were designated at level 8 and renamed as Professional Diploma in Education starting in the academic year 2011/2012. Please see here for press release [PDF].
Course Structure and Content
- Induction course – held over one week in September. Its aim is to provide a general overview of the programme and to equip students for their introduction to teaching in the classroom. There is an emphasis on classroom teaching methods and ‘survival skills’. Specific pedagogy courses begin during the induction course when students will be able to meet their pedagogy coordinators and some of the TP supervisors.
- College-based course – consisting of: [a] lecture courses on the disciplines of education; [b] courses in specific methods/pedagogies.
- Lecture courses are given in all the disciplines relevant to the study of education. The Department currently offers courses in the following areas:
- Educational Philosophy and Theory;
- Applied Psychology in Education;
- History of Education;
- Special Education;
- Sociologies of Education;
- Introduction to Assessment & Examinations in Post-Primary Education.
A course in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and elective courses in some or all of the following will also be available:
- Civic, Social and Political Education;
- Drama in Education;
- Development Education;
- Depth psychology for teachers
- The authentic classroom and the hidden curriculum.
Courses in pedagogy of teaching subjects are offered in the following school subjects:
- Business Studies (including Accounting and Economics);
- English;
- Geography;
- History;
- Irish;
- Mathematics (including Applied Mathematics);
- Modern Languages (including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Other Languages);
- Music;
- Religious Education;
- Science (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics).
The purpose of the courses in pedagogy is to introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching as a subject. Teaching in each subject is shared by a team of full-time members of the School and part-time staff, some of whom are also practising teachers, and one of whom will coordinate each subject.
Each pedagogy team aims, in its own way, to develop in students:
- [a] the ability to reflect on and evaluate their own practice;
- [b] a working knowledge of relevant research into pupils’ learning and an appreciation of the importance of pupils being actively engaged in their own learning;
- [c] an appreciation of the importance of developing positive relationships with pupils, based on principles of equity and inclusiveness;
- [d] a rigorous approach to planning, combined with the ability to make considered choices from a range of teaching methods and resources;
- [e] a knowledge of the content of their subject[s] as required for the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate examination syllabi.
Students must choose two pedagogy subjects. The first or major subject should be whatever was indicated on your application form: the subject that you intend to teach full-time when your studies are complete. You will have been interviewed by the panel for this subject. The second (minor) subject should be chosen from a range of possible subjects that do not clash with your major on the timetable. The minor pedagogy course will not be assessed and you will not be supervised if you teach that subject. Science and Modern Languages count as double pedagogy subjects. Majors in these subjects do not have to choose a minor pedagogy programme. However, students taking either of these subjects as MINOR must also have a major.
Module outlines for all of the courses are provided in the course handbook (PDF).
Teaching Practice – carried out in schools.
Teaching Practice (TP) is a major element of the year and it is required that those accepted for the course organise their own TP, usually in the greater Dublin area. In certain circumstances staff in the School of Education can offer help and advice in organising TP but this is not normally the case. Students are required to be present in their Teaching Practice School on Monday mornings, and on Thursdays and Fridays. Students must teach a minimum number of classes in their major subject during these times.
Contact Details
Ms E Fleeton
School of Education
3128 Arts Building
Trinity College
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 896 1488
Email: pde.info@tcd.ie