DCU Institute of Education Introduces the First Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)

22/11/2022

DCU Institute of Education are delighted to offer the Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) & Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE). The GDip SPHE/RSE is the first specialist teacher professional development programme of its kind at post-primary level in Ireland. It provides for the upskilling of teachers to teach the subject at junior and senior cycles, and will equip them for the introduction of the new junior cycle SPHE curriculum scheduled to be implemented in schools from September 2023.

This programme is funded by the Department of Education (DoE) under an initiative that is seeking to address the gap in teacher education provision in SPHE/RSE. This reflects the intention to provide pathways for progression for post-primary teachers interested in developing their skills in SPHE/RSE and provides the opportunity to create leadership within the teaching profession in this area.

Commenting on the introduction of the course, Dr. Catherine Maunsell, Programme Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology and Education, DCU Institute of Education said; ‘We are delighted to have worked with and have been supported by the Department of Education on the development of the GDip SPHE/RSE. This professional development programme marks a significant milestone in becoming a specialist teacher at post-primary level in this area. We look forward to welcoming the first group of teachers in January 2023.’

The course is a one-year, level 9, part-time Graduate Diploma in SPHE/RSE. For further information on the course you can visit the DCU Institute of Education online prospectus here. The closing date for application to the programme is 7 December 2022 at 5pm.