Program Overview

MA in Education, Learning and Development

Overview

The MA in Education, Learning and Development is a postgraduate program designed to meet the needs of educators and practitioners who support adult learners. The program aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate effective learning programs, including accredited and non-accredited programs.

Course Details

The program includes two embedded programs, the Certificate (20 ECTS) and the Postgraduate Diploma (60 ECTS). The Postgraduate Diploma incorporates the modules of the Certificate (20 ECTS) and a combination of mandatory and elective modules totaling an additional 40 ECTS. The MA incorporates the Certificate modules, Postgraduate Diploma modules, and electives, and a Dissertation (30 ECTS).

Semester One (Certificate 20 ECTS)

Professional Practice

Participants explore and evaluate contemporary learning theories and implement practical strategies to motivate and engage learners.

Learning Designs: Contexts and Considerations

Professionals working in the fields of education, learning, and development work in a dynamic and demanding environment. This module enables participants to engage with the different forms of learning used in education and in organizational settings, such as accredited and non-accredited learning.

Semesters Two and Three (Postgraduate Diploma 40 ECTS)

Strategic Learning and Development

This module engages participants in the key concepts and critical thinking to allow them to evaluate the influence and impact of learning and development on corporate and higher education strategies.

Psychology of Learning

Participants are able to design effective classes for their learners informed by the main theories of learning and understanding different approaches to learner motivation.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

This module provides participants with opportunities to explore the concepts and theories associated with equality, diversity, and inclusion within the context of education, learning, and development.

Research Methods

This module aims to fine-tune participants' ability to evaluate existing research while also developing their skills to carry out research in their own fields of interest.

Personal and Professional Development

This module evaluates and develops the personal competencies and professional requirements for the learning and development professional to advance their practice.

Elective Modules (choose two)

Emergent Learning Technologies

This module builds on a broad knowledge of learning technologies with the aim of developing confidence, skills, and judgment within the participant's own professional context.

Innovation for Learning

As the importance of human capital rises, the need for Learning and Development to deploy innovative solutions also increases.

Supervision of Research Projects

This module is designed for potential and existing supervisors of research projects to develop in their roles supporting learners at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Workplace Learning

The aim of this module is to provide those involved in creating and maintaining a workplace learning environment and in the roles of mentoring and assessing learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to support and facilitate a learner's work-based learning.

Learning Analytics

This module explores Data Analytics (the use of data to enable decision-making) in an industry and education context, where information can be mined, stored, and tracked to enhance learning.

Semester Four

Dissertation 30 ECTS

This module enables participants to become more effective practitioners by further enhancing their investigative and critical thinking skills while developing their expertise by completing a major project or piece of research.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will need a Level 8 Primary degree in their area of expertise. Applicants are also required to have lecturing or training experience with adult learners. The minimum experience requirement for the Masters is 50 hours.

Tuition Fees

• Irish/EU citizens living in Ireland: EUR 7,000.00
• An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term.
• A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

Progression

On completion of the program, the learner can go on to pursue a Ph.D. in the area. Through the MA in Education, Learning and Development, you will have gained specialist skills to support and inform your role as an educator and practitioner. On completion, you will be a confident, agile professional who can demonstrate your expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and engaging learning programs for your learners, participants, or clients.