Program Overview

Master in Access to Education in Culturally Responsive Education

The Master in Access to Education in Culturally Responsive Education (MAE(CRE)) is a postgraduate program designed to prepare teachers and other support professionals for taking a leading role in schools and other educational institutions. The program aims to promote 'training and support in the use of pedagogies that are inclusive in nature and cater for diversity.'

Program Overview

The MAE(CRE) program is a part-time evening course that spans six semesters, totaling 90 ECTS credits. The program is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021, and the Bye-Laws for the award of Master in Access to Education under the auspices of the Faculty of Education.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• A first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours) in one of the following areas: Psychology, Education, Communication Therapy, Social Work, Youth and Community Studies, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, or any other area deemed relevant by the Faculty Board.
• A first cycle degree classified with at least Second Class (Honours) in any other area, together with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in any area.
• A teacher's certificate with at least three years' teaching experience and other suitable qualifications obtained following their first cycle degree or the teacher's certificate.
• Any first cycle degree followed by a recognized teaching qualification, together with one year's experience in an education setting.

Program Structure

The program is divided into three years, with compulsory and elective units.

Year 1

• Semester 1:
  • EDU5915: Communities, Otherness and Inclusion (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5922: Risks of Discrimination against Minority Groups (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5970: Fundamentals of Educational Research (5 ECTS)
• Semester 2:
  • EDU5916: Impact of Culture on Learning (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5958: Culturally Responsive Education Programmes and Settings (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5971: Applied Educational Research Methods (5 ECTS)

Year 2

• Semester 1:
  • EDU5917: Impact of Bilingualism and Multilingualism on Learning (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5925: Transdisciplinary Teamwork (5 ECTS)
  • EDU5959: Differentiated Culturally Responsive Instruction and Interaction (5 ECTS)
• Semester 2:
  • EDU5932: Intercultural Education and Global Citizenship (5 ECTS)
  • Elective units (5 ECTS):
    • EDU5928: Understanding and Supporting Individuals with Behavioural Challenges
    • EDU5960: Educating Gifted and Talented Children
    • EDU5972: Inclusion, Education and Neurodiversity

Year 3

• EDU5936: Dissertation (30 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, students should be able to:

• Contribute to contemporary international and national debate in the field of inclusive education
• Produce and communicate evidence-informed, reasoned argument in writing and orally
• Demonstrate how concepts, theories, and evidence can inform an understanding of issues and practice
• Carry out a focused inclusive education inquiry into educational practice
• Enhance professional practice through greater knowledge, skills, understanding, and awareness

Tuition Fees

For non-EU applicants, the total tuition fees are Eur 10,800, paid as follows:

• Year 1: Eur 5,400
• Year 2: Eur 5,400
• Year 3: NIL

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MAE(CRE) program will have opportunities in areas that require knowledge of inclusion and inclusive practices in educational settings, both in compulsory schooling and other educational settings in industry and other services.