Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Online) PG Dip
Program Overview
The Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (for third-level teachers) is an online program from UCC's Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL). It equips teachers with the skills to research their teaching, evaluate student learning, and practice evidence-based pedagogies. The program consists of two core modules and one elective, and assessments include a portfolio of professional teaching practice, a reflective course portfolio, and an essay exploring signature pedagogy.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (for third-level teachers) is an online program offered by the Centre for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) at UCC. It provides teachers in higher education with an opportunity to learn how to research their teaching and evaluate evidence of student learning. This program emphasizes pedagogical leadership, drawing on evidence-based practices, and is considered an important step in a lecturer's career trajectory, opening up opportunities for collaboration, development, and promotion. The program aims to equip staff of universities and other third-level institutions with the skills to develop a research approach to their teaching and student learning. It provides them with pedagogical tools to document and harness student learning for curriculum design. The program is grounded in the principles of a scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) approach that advocates evidence-based decision-making.
Outline:
The 30-credit Postgraduate Diploma comprises three modules in total. Two core modules to the value of 25 credits are taken sequentially, typically in one academic year.
- TL6005 Disciplinary Approaches to Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (15 credits) - Semester 1: This module focuses on disciplinary approaches to teaching and learning in higher education.
- TL6018 Diversity in Student Learning (10 credits) - Semester 2: This module explores diversity in student learning and its implications for teaching practices. Students also choose one 5-credit module from the following electives to be taken in Semester 2:
- TL6009 Digital Education for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (5 credits) - Semester 2: This module examines the role of digital technologies in teaching and learning.
- TL6010 Inclusive Academic Practice for Research Supervision (5 credits) - Semester 2: This module focuses on inclusive practices for research supervision. On successful completion of 30 credits from the Postgraduate Diploma, there is an opportunity to progress to the MA Teaching & Learning in Higher Education.
Assessment:
- Semester 1: TL6005 Disciplinary Approaches to Teaching & Learning in Higher Education (15 credits):
- Students prepare a written portfolio of professional teaching practice throughout a single academic year.
- Assignments are undertaken on a pass/fail basis.
- Students peer-review their teaching through online sharing of videos of teaching practice and written assignments (approx. 3,000 words).
- Participants write an essay exploring the concept of a 'signature pedagogy' (approx 2,000 words) and include an annotated bibliography (approx 1,500 words).
- Semester 2: TL6018 Diversity in Student Learning (10 credits) with elective (5 credits):
- Students create a reflective course portfolio (approx 9,000 words) including their elective reflective assessment (approx. 2,000 words).
Teaching:
- The program is delivered fully online.
- Students access the program through Canvas, UCC's Learning Management System.
- There are opportunities to engage with peers in webinars as part of a community-of-practice approach to learning enhancement.
- CIRTL engages itself in promoting excellence in teaching through its courses at UCC and its alliance with bodies such as the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education.
- For applicants from non-native English-speaking backgrounds, proof of English language certification is not required if currently employed in the third-level education sector where the main language of instruction is English.
- Applicants who fall into this category are required to show proof of employment, e.g., a letter from their director of Human Resources, which is evidence of working in a third-level educational setting where the main language of instruction is English.
- The program is open to all staff who teach in the third-level education sector who have an active teaching timetable. This could include supervision, placement work, lab-based work, in the field, or in an online context.
- A minimum of 12 hours of teaching in both semesters is required to fulfill the learning outcomes of the program, i.e., a total of 24 teaching hours over the academic year.
- In exceptional circumstances, and subject to review by the program team, applicants with a primary ordinary degree (NFQ, Level 7) may also be considered subject to meeting the teaching requirements.
. Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025 Deposits If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January. Fee payment Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January. page. Any questions?
Entry Requirements:
- Minimum Academic Entry Requirement: A primary undergraduate degree (NFQ, Level 8) and the successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education.
- Open to: All staff who teach in the third-level education sector who have an active teaching timetable. This includes supervision, placement work, lab-based work, in the field or in an online context.
- Teaching Requirement: A minimum of 12 hours of teaching in both semesters is required (total of 24 teaching hours over the academic year).
- Exceptional Circumstances: Applicants with a primary ordinary degree (NFQ, Level 7) may be considered subject to meeting the teaching requirements and review by the program team.
- For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland: Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- For applicants from non-native English-speaking backgrounds: Proof of English language certification is not required if currently employed in the third-level education sector where the main language of instruction is English. Applicants in this category must provide proof of employment (e.g., a letter from their director of Human Resources) demonstrating work in a third-level educational setting where the main language of instruction is English.
- Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language: Must meet the university-approved English language requirements.
