Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
269. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person who already has an MA in education following a BA in arts can be offered some credits for this period of study when they undertake a pivot in their career and now want to study a MA in primary education. [37464/20]
View answerVia the process of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a person may gain admission to a programme of study or may gain exemptions/credits from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning. This demonstrated learning may have been achieved through another programme of study, through work or through other learning experiences.
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 provides the statutory basis for RPL which is further detailed in policies and criteria set out by Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI). On this basis, Higher Education Institutions must establish and implement specific policies for access, transfer and progression (ATP) addressing credit accumulation, credit transfer and identification, alongside the formal assessment of the knowledge, skill and competence previously acquired by learners i.e. RPL. To avail of RPL, an individual must apply directly to the relevant institution/provider who will assess their prior learning in line the established policies and procedures of that institution/provider.
Further to the above, I am informed that the Department of Education will publish the entry requirements for the Primary Professional Master of Education (PME) programme of initial teacher education in the coming weeks. For entry to the PME programme, in addition to meeting the Minimum Entry Requirements in Irish, English and Mathematics, applicants must have a minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Major Award at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits.
