Education - Further Education

Master in Education Studies in Further Education

This two-year, part-time level 9 course offers suitably qualified candidates the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of further education (FE) while developing and utilising research skills to investigate areas relevant to their professional and personal interests. This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required to conduct independent research within the FE sector, and is delivered fully online.



Who is the Course for?

The course is suitable for graduate students who have 3 years experience working in the Further Education sector, and has been designed to facilitate students with varying levels of experience and qualifications such as:

> Graduates of the Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education) (PDE-FE)

> Those working in the sector who do not hold a PDE-FE qualification

> Applicants with primary degrees in areas related to education who are interested in learning more about adult education

> Those who hold an initial teacher education qualification in post-primary education

> Staff working in non-teaching roles (such as resource and tutors) in Further /Adult Education.



What will I study?

In year 1 of the programme, students will study:

> Theoretical Perspectives on Further Education

> Teaching & Learning in Further Education

> Policy & Practice in FE

> Leadership & Management

> Innovation in Curriculum & Design

> Supporting Communities of Reflective Practice



In Year 2 of the programme, students will study: Research Methods & Dissertation: This provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the research methodologies most commonly employed by researchers in the field of education. Qualitative and quantitative approaches (based on descriptive statistics) particularly suitable to research and study in Further Education will be explored. The module aims to ensure that students have the research skills to conduct and write a quality research dissertation and any future independent research projects.

Year 1

Module 1 - Theoretical Perspectives on Further Education

› Conceptualisations of teaching and learning

› Equality, diversity and inclusion in FE

› Leading lifelong learning



Module 2 – Teaching & Learning in Further Education

› Theories of adult learning and teaching

› Special educational needs for adults

› UDL in Further Education



Module 3 - Policy & Practice in Further Education

› The Irish FE landscape

› Further Education policy and governance

› The structure & administration of FE in Ireland



Module 4 – Leadership and Management

› What is educational leadership?

› Developing educators

› Leading and managing educational change



Module 5 – Innovation in Curriculum Design

› What is curriculum design?

› Promoting equality in FE through the curriculum

› Curriculum assessment and evaluation



Module 6 – Supporting Communities of Reflective Practice

› Advanced understandings of reflective practice

› Understanding PLC’s and collaborative reflection

› Facilitating communities of reflective practice



Year 2

Dissertation Module

› Research methods in education

› Research design and ethics in education research

› Constructing a research proposal

› Independent research

Minimum entry requirements

› An honours degree (level 8) with second class honours or higher and at least three years’ teaching experience or equivalent professional experience.



› In exceptional cases students who meet the honours degree requirement but do not have the necessary experience, may be required to satisfy the course admission committee, through an interview process and a written academic assignment, that they have the ability to complete and benefit from the course and are resident in a time zone that is compatible with full participation on the course.



› English Language Requirement: please check www.mie.ie/englishlanguage

2 years part-time.

Delivery online (synchronous and asynchronous, on mid-week evenings GMT).

What are my career opportunities?

This programme enables graduates to embark on a rewarding teaching career within the diverse field of adult education and qualifies them for Route 3 (Further Education) registration with the Teaching Council. Our graduates teach and inspire adult learners in a wide variety of settings, including Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programmes, Colleges of Further Education, SOLAS training centres, Youthreach, and in community education settings.