Critical Perspectives on Education - School of Education

The Critical Perspectives on Education (Open Pathways) programme aims to provide students with the opportunity to engage with a number of disciplines that inform educational theory and practice. In addition it aims to equip students with the knowledge and capacity to undertake empirical and/or non-empirical forms of research related to their chosen domain. The course is comprised of a range of modules that reflect the current research and teaching interests within the School of Education.

Who is this course for?

The programme is intended for persons who wish to gain a comprehensive and contemporary understanding in a number of disciplines that inform educational theory and practice. It is appropriate for practitioners working at all levels in education (primary, post-primary and tertiary) as well as those who have a professional interest in education.

Course Details

The newly designed M.Ed. Critical Perspectives (Open Pathways) offers an exciting opportunity to take full control of your learning journey. With extensive flexibility, you can design a bespoke programme by selecting from 27 cutting-edge modules that align with your career aspirations and interests.

At the heart of the new M.Ed. Critical Perspectives (Open Pathways) is a strong focus on flexibility and research. You will complete six modules, each worth 10 ECTS, in a highly personalised, blended format. You will engage in two core research modules, gaining deep insights on educational research, as well as four modules, tailored to your areas of interest within the educational landscape.

Whether you aim to engage with educational policy, language, the arts, psychology, early intervention, diversity and inclusion, science or mathematics in education, you will have the tools to make a meaningful impact. Tailor your experience to suit your interests, choosing either in-person or online options, and create a learning experience that works best for you. This is your chance to diversify your expertise and shape your educational future.

Apply today for a September 2025 start! The closing date for applications for the 2025-26 academic year is 30th June 2025 . Applications for all strands for 2025-26 should be made through the web portal system.

If you choose the M.Ed. Critical Perspectives (Open Pathways), you will complete:

Two core research modules, ‘Academic Literacy’ and ‘Research Methods’.
Two core subject modules (one per semester), choosing from 10 key pathways: Arts Education, Diversity and Inclusion, Early Intervention, Higher Education, Language Education, Leadership and Policy, Mathematics Education, Psychology of Education, Science Education and Critical Perspectives.
Two choice modules (one per semester), selecting from 27 unique modules within the key pathways above, to tailor your learning to your interests.

Amounting to 60 ECTS (six 10-ECTS modules), plus:

The Dissertation, focused on a research area of your choice, aligned with your core academic interests (30 ECTS).

The M.Ed. Critical Perspectives (Open Pathways) option is designed for individuals interested in an interdisciplinary approach, exploring multiple subject areas in the field of education, focusing on a combination from the 10 key pathways.

Apply today for a September 2025 start! Applications for The Critical Perspectives M.Ed. (Open Pathways) close on June 30, 2025.

Course Modules for Critical Perspectives (Open Pathways)

Pick two subject specific modules as your Core modules (One from Semester one and one from Semester two) and you can pick an additional two as your Choice modules.

Music in Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7240	Philosophies of Arts and Music Education	Sem One
ET7243	Performance Pedagogy: Practical Musicianship and The Pedagogy of Performance	Sem Two

Arts Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
TBA	Arts-based Research	Sem One
ET7251	Embodying Language	Sem Two

Diversity and Inclusion

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
EDPT7079	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion	Sem One
EDPT7080	Inclusive Practice through a UDL Lens	Sem Two

Early Intervention

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7234	Designing & Implementing Interventions	Sem One
ET7235	Developing Teamwork to Include Family Centered Approaches	Sem Two

Higher Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7071	Traditions, Powers & Contexts	Sem One
ET7134	Curriculum, Assessment & Supervision	Sem Two

Language Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7248	Integrating Language	Sem One
EDPT7257	Bilingualism & Multilingualism	Sem Two

Leadership & Policy

Module Code

Module Name

Semester

EDPT7063

Key constructs and issues in educational leadership and management 

Sem One

EDPT7064

Leading student and professional learning   

Sem Two

Mathematics Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
EDPT7237	Theories for Inclusive Education in Mathematics and Science	Sem One
ET7247	Best Practices in Mathematics Education	Sem Two

Psychology of Education

Module Code

Module Name

Semester

ET7255

The Individual in the Family

Sem One

ET7257

The Individual in Broader Societal and Temporal Contexts

Sem Two

Science Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7236	Citizen Science	Sem One
ET7238	Science Communication	Sem Two

Philosophy and Social Policy in Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7092	Thinking Education	Sem One
ET7100	Educational and Social Policy	Sem Two

Assessment and ICTs in Education

Module Code

Module Name

Semester

ET7093

Assessment and Evaluation in Education: Issues and Applications

Sem One

ET7129

ICTs in Education

Sem Two

History and Historiography of Education

Module Code	Module Name	Semester
ET7091	History and Historiography of Education	Sem Two

Teaching and learning strategies

A variety of teaching and learning strategies may be used throughout the programme, including group discussion, presentations, e-learning and online resources, case-studies, lectures and individual reading and research.

Further information

For enquiries about course content please email mastered@tcd.ie Tel: 01 896 3589

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