Overview

The overarching objective of the Specialist Diploma in Teaching Learning and Scholarship is to align with the professional activities of early career academics and doctoral candidates in order to provide an accredited programme for developing high level, evidence-based competence in teaching, learning, scholarship and innovation in higher education settings.  The aims of the programme are:

• To enhance key skills among doctoral candidates and new academics including, communication, presenting research, interacting effectively with novice learners, confidence and competence in academic writing and publishing, establishing rapport among students, peers and supervisors, exercising effective pedagogical and supervision skills, receiving and acting on feedback both in research and teaching settings, enhancing and developing academic competence and engaging actively in own career development.
• To provide a structured platform for the development and acceleration of complex academic skills at the early stages of an academic career.
• The creation of a supportive, challenging, high trust network of colleagues to provide longer term peer support beyond the duration of the programme

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this programme of study, students will be able to:

• Apply the theory of learning, pedagogy, scholarship and innovation directly to teaching, research and scholarly practice in higher education settings.
• Deliver high level teaching, communication, reflection, articulation and feedback skills to own research development and to the learning and development of students within a specific discipline
• Be competent in a teaching/research role within a specific discipline in any higher education setting, and have the capacity to adjust competencies to different kinds of higher education audiences from the newest students to advanced research practitioners within a specific field.
• Generate a continued commitment to professional development as a teacher and researcher in a higher education context. Identify areas where further learning and practice is needed. Generate an awareness of own learning preferences and those of students within particular setting.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For all queries, contact the course directors:
Dr Mary Fitzpatrick/Maura Murphy
Course Director, Specialist Diploma in Teaching Learning and Scholarship
Centre for Teaching and Learning
Millstream Courtyard
University of Limerick
Tel +353 61 234651/202034
Fax+353 61 338044
Email: Mary.Fitzpatrick@ul.ie
Email: Maura.Murphy@ul.ie

 
 

Graduate Profile

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Programme Content

This programme comprises 30 credits offered as a level 9 PG certificate (15 credits per semester). Single modules will also be offered to doctoral candidates, researchers and early academics who will have the option of 'building' their accreditation over a longer time frame.

The programme is structured to allow a level of flexibility but at the same time provides coherence for all participants to apply the learning to their work (for example - selecting and focusing on a key piece of writing for supported development and completion (Spring Semester ) or the application of new insights to a particular teaching context (Autumn Semester) .

Entry Requirements

Students must hold an undergraduate degree (and usually a masters degree) in any discipline and ideally be engaged in PhD level research or above.  This is an evidence and practice based programme, so ideally all students should have some teaching for the second semester within a higher education context.  All students should also be engaged in research within their own discipline and have specific research related targets to achieve within the year of the programme (either as a graduate student or as a new academic) and each should be prepared to apply up to 50 hours of their own ongoing research activity to analysis and development via this programme.
Note: Subject to the discretion of the course directors an interview may form part of this selection process.

What to include with your application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• English language qualification(s) if English is not your first language
• Certified English translation of your transcripts/certificates where the original transcripts are in a language other than English
• A copy of your birth certificate (long document)

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than  two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved

• Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
• TOEFL – 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based), 80 (internet based)
• IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5* for Business, Arts, Humanities or Education programmes. Minimum score of 6.0* for Science, Engineering, Informatics or Electronics programmes *with no less than 6 in any one component.
• English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
• GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
• University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
• GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.