Graduate Certificate in the Education of Pupils on the Autism Spectrum header
DC879

Graduate Certificate in Autism Education

Course Details

Course Code:
DC879
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level:
- Please see www.qqi.ie for further information
Delivery Mode:
Duration
1 year
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 9062

Autism, a neurodevelopmental condition, affects one in 100 people worldwide and those affected often need personalised educational support. This course, funded by the Department of Education, is designed to help teachers meet the learning and educational needs of autistic students.

Overview

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This part-time programme gives teachers across primary, post-primary and special education contexts the skills to recognise autistic students’ educational strengths and needs and help them thrive.

Gain in-depth skills to support autistic students ~
Modules are delivered in-person and online, and you’ll get the chance to visit a classroom setting to observe what you’ve learned put into practice. You’ll also get 15 days’ allowance to attend the course (with substitution covered) and all travel expenses are paid. 

Once you graduate, you will have a deeper understanding of autism and evidence-informed skills to help you tailor your planning and teaching to provide better educational opportunities to autistic children and young adults. You’ll also be a great candidate for the Master’s of Education in Autism if you choose to pursue further studies. 

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Entry Requirements

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Please review the Department of Education Circular for 2024 here in English and here in Irish.

This programme is for registered teachers who currently:

  • Hold a post funded by the Department of Education.
  • Work in recognised primary, post-primary, or special school settings.
  • Work with autistic students or will be working with autistic students for the duration of the programme.

The programme is designed to assist teachers to effectively support the holistic educational development of their autistic students. Therefore, applicants must hold a teaching role, supporting autistic students.

 

Programme Structure

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The aim of this programme is to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise of teachers, thus enhancing the provision of appropriate education for autistic children and young people. 

Understanding Autism: aims to provide a foundation in the history, concept and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder, causes and prevalence will also be considered. Students will explore the diversity across the spectrum and reflect in an informed manner on the implications of autism in an educational context.

Autism - Assessment, Profiling and Planning: addresses the principles underpinning inclusive assessment and focuses on the development of a holistic profile of the student’s strengths, interests and needs, leading to the development of learning programmes and individualised planning.

Autism - Planning,Teaching and Learning 1 & 2: focuses on the application of skills and knowledge presented across the programme to teaching and learning contexts.

Wellbeing Across the Continuum: Addresses current and evolving issues in relation to the education of autistic students including life span perspective, wellbeing of such students and proactive strategies to support them.

The programme will include three weeks block release from your school/centre during the year. Below are the indicative times of year when these weeks occur. Dates will be communicated upon offer of a place on the course.

Week 1: 9-13th September
Week 2: 11-15th November
Week 3: 10-14th February

Lectures take place Monday to Friday during these weeks from 9am - 4pm. 

In addition there are seven evening online sessions which occur on Tuesday evenings throughout the year ( 6-7.15). Further details will be made available upon starting the course.

Fees and Funding

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Fees

EU Status Fee Part-time
DES Funded

How To Apply

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Applications will open in Spring 2025.

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.  Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.

Applicants must submit:

  • Additional Questions Form - submitted within the Application Portal
  • An up-to-date Teaching Council Registration Certificate (card not accepted) - upload to portal
  • A Principal Declaration Form - completed by the Principal. This form must be signed by the Principal (not the Deputy Principal or any other school representative) - submitted within the Application Portal

Application Queries

Closing date: TBC

There is no Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) entry route for this programme.

For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email pgedapplications@dcu.ie. Please include the programme code (DC879) in the subject line of your email.

For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on the GCAE programme.

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FAQs

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