Overview
This programme gives you the skills and knowledge to critically investigate the system of inclusive education through an individual research project.
During this part-time, blended learning programme, you’ll learn about research methodologies such as questionnaires, interviews, single-case experimental design, observation and more. You’ll also take part in workshops on data analysis such as qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.
Enrol in a one-of-a-kind course to propel your career
The programme is open to qualified, experienced teachers working in primary and post-primary schools, special schools or recognised educational centres. To apply, you must have completed a recognised 60-credit postgraduate diploma programme for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education.
Once you graduate, you can pursue roles in inclusion and special education teaching or you may consider posts in government agencies and departments. You’ll also have the skills and expertise to take on leadership and professional development positions.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
The Master’s in Education in Special Educational Needs (MEdEN) is designed to meet the professional and personal needs of teachers seeking to acquire deep expertise in the area of inclusive and special education.
The programme offers participants the opportunity to develop deep understanding of and critique theories and practices relating to inclusive and special education in light of current research and professional experience.
Graduates will develop the skills and knowledge to contribute to and lead the development of a culture of critical analysis, research, and innovative practice in inclusive and special education and so have a formative impact on development within schools, workplaces and the broader education community.
The programme will be of interest to teachers who wish to take on a leadership role in relation to inclusive pedagogy within their schools and school areas.
Many graduates of the MEdEN have also moved into leadership and professional development roles within other relevant educational contexts.
Areas of opportunities include:
- Education
- Government agencies
- Government departments
- Post-primary education
- Post-primary schools
- Pre-school
- Primary schools
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
Entry Requirements
Open to qualified experienced teachers working in primary and post-primary schools, in special schools or classes or in other recognised educational centres. • Eligible applicants will have at least three years' teaching experience
There is no Year 1 entry for this programme
Applicants for entry to MEdEN Year Two must have completed the Department of Education funded 60 credit postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education at DCU.
There is no Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route for this programme.
Programme Structure
Students will have the opportunity to learn how to deal with a number of research methodologies including questionnaires, interviews, single-case experimental design, observation, and more. There will be workshops on data analysis including qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.
Applicants must have successfully completed a recognised 60 credit postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education.
Year Two Entry
Successful applicants who have completed the Department of Education-funded postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education at DCU will be required to complete an additional 30 credits for the award of MEdEN.
The 30 credits are normally completed within one academic year and comprise one 10 credit module and a 20 credit thesis.
The 10 credit module focuses on research methodologies and is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Students will also complete a 20 credit thesis on an approved topic relating to inclusive and special education. The year comprises two Saturdays on campus, online lectures and self-guided materials online.
Face-to-face lecture, dates TBC.
These normally take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between September and December. A small number of online sessions will be scheduled in semester 2.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Note: There will only be a Year 2 application.
Year 2 Entry
Applications will open on 31st March 2025 and will close on 5th May 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. Please note the course is only open for Year 2 applications.
There is no Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route for this programme
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU St Patrick's Campus
FAQs
What is the single most important thing a prospective student should know about this course?
Entry to the MEdEN year 2 is restricted to those who have completed a recognised 60 ECTS postgraduate diploma programme of continuing professional development for teachers involved in learning support, inclusive or special education. There is currently no year 1 entry to the MEdEN.
Why would a student choose to do this course instead of a different but similar one? In other words, what makes this course distinctive, exciting or novel?
This course offers students the opportunity to carry out their own research in the area of inclusive education, guided by a supervisor from the School of Inclusive and Special Education at DCU. It is the first such School in an Irish university and has a critical mass of expertise and is committed to supporting the rights of all children and young people to an appropriate education and to learning for all. It has a strong research focus with staff and students creating a vibrant community of inquiry.
What kind of people do you expect to be drawn to a course like this, and to thrive while a student on it?
The course is open to qualified, experienced teachers working in primary and post-primary schools, in special schools or classes or in other recognised educational centres. It will especially suit those who are keen to read, analyse and critique the research literature, carry out their own research on a topic of interest to them, reflect critically on their research findings, and write up their findings in a thesis.
What are the key knowledge areas and skills a student will gain by doing this course?
Students will complete two 15 credit modules and a 30 credit thesis. Module SI801 focuses on research methodologies and Module SI802 addresses curriculum and pedagogy and current issues in inclusive and special education. Students will also complete a 30 credit thesis on an approved topic relating to inclusive and special education.
What are the opportunities for: Work placement, Study abroad, Newer ways of learning
Over the course of the programme, students will have the opportunity to learn how to deal with a number of research methodologies including questionnaires, interviews, single-case experimental design, observation, and more. There will be workshops on data analysis including qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative data analysis using SPSS software.
Could you name three typical careers that a graduate from this course could pursue?
The programme will be of interest to teachers who wish to take on a leadership role in relation to inclusive pedagogy within their schools and school areas. Many graduates of the MEdEN have also moved into leadership and professional development roles within other relevant
What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
-
Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012
-
Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
-
Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
-
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
