Professional Master of Education (Business)
Department of Education and Professional Studies (EPS),
Faculty of Education and Health Sciences (EHS),
University of Limerick (UL).
November 2014
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), V.1 Nine Pages.
For admission in the AY2015/2016
1
What kind of degree is required for purposes of eligibility of consideration
for entry onto the Professional Master of Education (Business)?
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a 2.2 degree (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland or
equivalent) in a relevant Business or Business related discipline.
In line with Teaching Council and HEA protocol, when applying for a place on the
Professional Master of Education programme, the PME Applicant is required to
make a formal declaration, using a Subject Declaration Form, that he/she:
a) Holds/will hold, by the date of commencement of the PME programme, a level 8
honours degree.
b) Has studied 60 ECTS credits in the relevant subject area(s) as part of their degree (see
the link in point (d) below).
c) Has studied higher level degree content related to the subject area(s) in year 3 or 4 of
their degree.
d) Has covered, as part of their degree, the mandatory topics/subjects as set out in the
Teaching Council subject requirements which can be found at:
http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/_fileupload/Registration/Subject%20Criteria%20from
%20January%202017.pdf
The Subject Declaration Form (which is available here) for each of the subjects you wish to
teach must be fully completed and attached with your application to this programme.
Please have the following documents ready to upload with your application:
•
Qualification transcripts and awards/certificates
•
English language qualification if English is not your first language
• Certified English translations of your transcripts/certificates where the originals are in a
language other than English
• Evidence that you have applied to the Teaching Council for recognition of your degree
for the purposes of teaching business and/or accounting and/or economics at second level.
•
Teaching Council recognition (if available).
•
A copy of your birth certificate (long document)
See link below for access to UL website PME Business course:
http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/professional-master-education-business
A primary level 8 degree which has at least one business subject (Accounting,
Business or Economics) taken throughout the duration of the degree and which is
recognised by the Teaching Council (TC) as acceptable for the teaching of any
designated business subject(s) i.e. Accounting, Business, Economics to leaving
certificate level and which subject study has a 60 ECTS credit or more weighting.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her primary degree meets the
requirements of the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of teaching a
business subject or business subjects (i.e. Accounting, Business and Economics
and Business Studies).
See the relevant section on the TC website www.teachingcouncil.ie Any
successful application to join the course is subject to the individual applicant
having established and declared for himself/herself that he/she has met this
requirement.
If there is uncertainty as to the eligibility of previously studied modules, you will
need to make inquiries with the Teaching Council or to make a formal individual
qualification assessment application for recognition, with full details of your
degree programme including transcript of results and details of subject content.
Once the Teaching Council has received full documentation, the assessment
process takes approximately up to two months. If you are in this situation, you
are advised to immediately clarify your degree standing with the Teaching
Council. This must be established at the point of application. If not established,
you will not be invited to interview. Details of this application process are on the
above Teaching Council website. An application fee is required to be submitted
with the relevant form. The amount in question was €200 per subject (Business or
Accounting or Economics) at one stage. The fee is subject to revision.
2
What suggestions would be helpful to an applicant candidate for the
PME Business course?
Any exposure to preliminary teaching/learning experiences (this doesn’t
necessarily mean teaching, it means shadowing or observation) or school
exposure experiences would be helpful to any candidate who wishes to dedicate
him/herself to a professional life as a teacher.
There is no requirement or
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expectation that an unqualified applicant would have undertaken direct teaching
duties of any kind. No points at application assessment or interview are awarded
for undertaking direct teaching duties in any school.
This can happen formally (by observation in primary school, second level school,
or in adult/community education) or informally (through pupil mentoring, helping
with homework, homework club, local youth club or social/sporting
organisations). The possession of it doesn’t guarantee an advantage. But it does
impact on the understanding of the nature of the role one is applying for. It does
provide an opportunity to ground discussion of teaching and learning issues and
helps provide the applicant with an informed understanding and discussion of the
issues at interview.
It is important that an applicant has the health and capacity to undertake and
complete the course. If there is a serious condition on the part of an applicant
which may preclude this, it is important that this is declared. The college is well
used to making appropriate accommodations for individuals with a manageable
condition or disability. These are not barriers to entry onto the course. Contact
with the university disability office in advance would be a good option to exercise
here.
Be aware that it is university policy to have a 2.2 honours result in your level 8
primary degree in order to be offered a place on the LM380 PME Business
course.
3
When do applications have to be submitted by? When do interviews
take place? Is a successful interview a guarantee of a place on the
course?
For admission application and details, contact the Postgraduate Admissions
Office. Foundation Building. University of Limerick. Plassey, Limerick.
Ireland. Tel. +353 61 234377 or 233729. Fax +353 61 233287. You might like
to view information on the web at www.graduateschool.ul.ie
You may wish to consult the UL website at www.ul.ie, go to www.ul.ie click
Future Students, click Postgraduate Courses, click Education and Health Sciences,
click PME (Business). You can then make an online application. There is a
small fee required in making any application submission.
The closing date for formal application is the 31st January in any given
calendar year. As all applications are online, there is a direct record of
application submission date and time. It is possible to maintain an online check
on your application progress as it goes through processing from its uploading,
shortlisting, interviewing and decision making following interview (offer of a
place, placement on waiting list or unsuccessful result arising from an interview).
At the time of application, applicants are advised to include a reliable postal
address to which correspondence can be sent and, additionally, to advise the Post
Graduate Admissions office of any change of postal address following initial
application
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Short-listing of applicants for interview may take place each year. Interviews are
conducted somewhere in the period between late February and mid March at the
latest. The interview process will be conducted by at least two experienced, EPS
appointed interviewers. For later applications, applicants will be directly
informed as to when an interview is proposed.
You are required to have personal attendance at the interview (unless
working abroad where it might be still possible to have an interview link-in). If
you apply by the deadline, you are advised to check when the interviews will take
place as ability to attend for interview is your responsibility. Successful
candidates at interview (i.e. successful in passing the first phase of the selection
process) are points rank listed. There are five criteria under which each applicant
is assessed at interview: (a) Qualifications – 50%; and (b) Motivation;
Communication; Interpersonal Skills and Experiences/Talents – 50%.
Places are later offered to the top points ranked candidates at interview. A
minimum of twenty places is offered, sometimes more, subject to annual review
by the university. If anyone declines a place, the next points ranked candidate is
offered a place. Successful completion of the Garda vetting application process is
required for all prospective students and is a condition of acceptance onto the
course.
There is no quota of places for mature students. All applications are assessed on
an individual basis. The onus is on the individual applicant to provide full and
comprehensive information as requested on the online application form.
Appropriate attachments may be included with your online application. The onus
is on the applicant to accurately complete the process and include all relevant
information. It is on the basis of information provided on the online application
that the shortlisting process, if required, is undertaken:
If you are not called for interview, you will be advised by letter and online status
notification.
If you are called for interview, you will be advised by letter as to the date, time
and location of interview. If you didn’t receive a letter, you can check with the
online notification system what your status is.
If having attended an interview and were successful, you will be advised of that
outcome and offered a place for the forthcoming academic year subject to the
normal conditions attached to the offer of a place. An application for the deferral
of an offer will be considered upon request. You may receive a letter indicating
that you have been placed on the waiting list for entry onto the course.
If having attended an interview and were unsuccessful, you will be advised of that
outcome by letter.
If having been invited to interview you fail to show up on the day in question,
your non-attendance will be deemed to have been a withdrawal of your
application. No letter will be sent to you in that instance.
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Remember you can check your status of application anytime on the online
application system and this will record receipt and status of application; whether
invited to interview or not; outcome of interview (offer of a place, placement on
waiting list or unsuccessful outcome of interview or withdrawal following failure
to attend interview).
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What are the academic fees for the year ?
For the academic year, 2014/2015, the fees level for an EU student was €4,000
and for a non-EU student, approximately double that.. The deposit to be paid
when offered a place is c.€250. The fees can be paid as one lump sum or in two
instalments. Should any difficulty be foreseen or arise here about payment
schedule, you are advised to consult the course director. The fees level is under
annual review. Please check with the Fees Office of the university. See
www.ul.ie/finance/fees.php
5
How long is the course ?
Commencing in AY 2014/2015, the course is a full time two year professional
masters level programme.
From AY 2014/2015 onwards, students are entering a two year full time
programme. This will apply across the board in all Irish third level teacher
education institutions. All such institutions will be offering the postgraduate
teacher qualification award at masters level, called the Professional Master of
Education. There is no longer a Higher Diploma in Education (H. Dip. Ed.)
award nor a Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) award. Postgraduate
teacher qualification awards in the University of Limerick prior to 2015, would
have been titled as ‘Professional Diploma of Education’, PDE.
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Are there any skills tests administered prior to entry onto the course.
No such tests are required. Some years ago, there were skills tests. These were
replaced on the course by a sophisticated range of ICT multi-media skills
appropriate to a modern portfolio of requirements for the business teacher.
All participants on the course are required to advance their ICT and keyboard
skills to a professional level.
7
How is School Placement organised ?
School Placement is a very significant component of the PME course. The School
Placement Office of the University of Limerick will arrange locations of available
schools for teaching practice. Every effort is made to secure a location close to
one’s home (this is the norm) or sometimes closer to the university. However,
some distance may be involved in travelling to school as not all schools
participate in making school placements available.
The School Placement Office of the University of Limerick initiates all contact on
behalf of students with a school in any given area. School Placement takes place
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in two phases. In year one, semester two, there will be an eight week placement
period preceded by an on-campus induction lead in of three weeks and an oncampus post placement review of one week.. In year 2, semester 1, there will be a
ten week period of school placement with appropriate on-campus induction and
post placement review.
Normally a professional diploma student doesn’t take up teaching practice in their
former second level school. With whatever school is assigned to the student, it is
envisaged that the professional master in education student will undertake school
placement in that same school over the two periods. In the event of some
justifiable reason requiring it, a change may be made for the second period of
teaching practice. This rarely happens.
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Is it possible to do this course on a part-time basis?
No, it is not possible to do this on a part-time basis. The course is very intensive
and requires full availability for school placement hours, lectures, tutorials,
seminars, laboratory and recording work as well as the normal study and reading
requirements, essay work, oral presentations, group work and other course
requirements. Students are required to make themselves available between
0900hrs and 1800hrs each college day in any semester. Additionally, flexibility is
required in undertaking some fluctuating teaching hours from week to week.
It is not advisable to be undertaking any parallel studies during this period nor is it
sustainable to be working part-time over appreciable hours.
There is approximately up to c.26 hours class contact in university over a five day
period in semester one of year one.
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Do all graduates of the course go into second level teaching positions?
Normally yes. The range of job opportunities is expanding. Graduates are
moving into a diverse portfolio of career positions including the further education
sector (PLCs, Colleges of Further Education, Post Leaving Certificate Courses,
and Adult Education), community education and other educational initiatives.
The PME Business qualification upon acceptance by the Teaching Council
confers upon the graduate the recognition to teach both in the second level
education sector as well as the further education sector. But it is true to say that
the sizeable majority of graduates take up positions in the second level teaching
sector and have done so consistently over the last thirty years.
10
Is there any material available that I can read up on with regard to
this course?
Please check the website of the University of Limerick at www.ul.ie
11
Is Garda clearance required for participation on this programme?
Please note that Garda Clearance will be required of applicants on this
professional master in education programme where placements involve working
with children and/or vulnerable adults. Applicants will be asked to complete an
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additional form that will be forwarded by the Postgraduate Admissions Office to
the Garda Central Vetting Unit for vetting. The Garda clearance process can take
approximately up to eight weeks to complete (and maybe more during the summer
months). In cases where any issues arise around Garda vetting, they will be
referred, in confidence, to the Designated Officer of the University who will make
contact with the applicant.
Candidates are advised that they must successfully complete the Garda vetting
application form in good time to enable all the conditions of entry onto the course
be met. A request to make a Garda Vetting application is not an offer of a place
on the course and is not to be so construed.
12
When does the course begin each year ?
Classes commence usually in the first week of September. You can check these
dates out on www.ul.ie/academiccalendar
Enrolment usually happens on a day preceding commencement of the semester,
usually a Friday. Additionally, induction days are held in the lead-in to enrolment
on preceding days at college, faculty and course level. You will be advised of
these arrangements in good time but it is advisable to set aside the preceding week
to the commencement of the semester for these purposes.
For the AY2015/2016, week 1, semester 1 will commence on Monday, 7th
September. You are advised to set aside the week beginning Monday, 31st August
2014 for induction and enrolment. This is the effective start date.
13 What are the modules covered over the course ?
Year 1, Semester 1 (30 Credits)
EN6151 Becoming a Teacher: Identity and Agency (6 credits)
EN6161 Understanding Learning (6 credits)
EN6171 Planning for School Placement (6 credits)
EN6181 Business Education 1 (6 credits)
EN6191 Business Pedagogy 1 (6 credits)
Year 1, Semester 2 (30 Credits)
EN6152 Understanding Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
EN6010 Research Methods (6 credits)
EN6172 Business Pedagogy 2 (3 credits)
EN6162 School Placement 1 (18 credits)
Year 2, Semester 1 (30 Credits)
EN6153 Understanding Schools (3 credits)
EN6210 Research Methods 2 (6 credits)
EN6173 Business Pedagogy 3 (3 credits)
EN6163 School Placement 2 (18 credits)
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Year 2, Semester 2 (30 Credits)
EN6054 Curriculum Policy and Reform (6 credits)
EN6064 History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education (6 credits)
EN6074 Research and Practice Portfolio (3 credits)
EN6084 Teacher as Professional Practitioner (6 credits)
EN6094 Reporting Educational Research (3 credits)
EN6104 Business Education 2 (6 credits)
The Professional Master in Education (PME) award is a 120 credits award.
14 What areas of competence will a student teacher attain as a result of
having successfully completed the Professional Master of Education
(Business) ?
The PME programme is a specialist teacher education programme for the teaching
of business across the second and FE sectors. This ‘specialist’ focus offers an
opportunity to tailor a unique business teacher profile where one is conversant and
up to date with developments and able to contribute a wide-ranging array of
contribution to the teaching of business in school life. The programme will
provide the framework for enabling a student teacher to become a recognised
teacher of designated subjects to leaving certificate level by the Teaching Council.
The range of subjects will be dependent on the extent of study in that
subject/those subjects which comprised their primary degree and comparable
recognised studies, e.g. ACCA and meeting the ECTS points requirements
specified.
Special attention is given to capacity to engage with all business related subject
areas across all programmes in the second level sector: the Leaving Certificate,
the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, the Leaving Certificate Applied
Programme, the Transition Year, and the Junior Certificate Programme. Special
attention is invested in the area of Entrepreneurship Education in leading and
developing significant capacity here. ICT skill capacity is developed over a range
of arenas that contribute to student, class and school life. Particular areas are
singled out for special attention with a view to enhancing teaching and learning in
them, e.g. the Stock Exchange, Stocks and Shares.
Additionally, as this teaching qualification also confers recognition to teach in the
area of Further Education (FE), coursework is undertaken with a view to
promoting curricular development and course generation capacity in this sector.
There is a good record of some past graduates who have invested their
professional careers in the FE sector where business and ICT courses feature very
strongly.
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15 If I have other questions surrounding the course who can I contact?
You are welcome to address your questions to:
Course Director by email at ger.slattery@ul.ie or by post to:
Gerard Slattery.
Course Director. Professional Master of Education (Business),
Department of Education and Professional Studies, SR 2006.
Schrodinger Building,
University of Limerick, Plassey, Limerick, Ireland.
It is preferable that you convey such questions, at least initially, either by email or
letter. Verbal clarifications over the phone are best done having gone through this
process.
Hope you found this helpful. If you would like to discuss matters further, you are
more than welcome to get in touch. All inquirers about the course are asked to
include their email address, mobile phone number and postal address.
Yours,
Ger Slattery
Gerard Slattery.
Course Director.
Professional Master of Education (Business)
Schrodinger Building,
Department of Education and Professional Studies,
University of Limerick,
Ireland.
Email: ger.slattery@ul.ie
Tel. 00 353 61 202813
The above information is issued purely as a guide and is not to be construed as part of
a legal contract of any kind. The information contained therein is subject to change.
The onus is on any prospective candidate for the course to inform him/herself on all
details pertaining to the course and the application deadline and interview dates. This
information is valid at time of writing 10th November 2014. E & O E. Version 1.
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