Online Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia College?

Pixie4

Hi all,

I came across this course last month on the Hibernia website and while I am interested in doing a Masters in some area of education, I am a little wary of this because it is conducted online. I researched as much as I could on it but since it is the first year that Hibernia are offering it, I haven't received any personal feedback honestly. It costs approximately e8,000 over two years with tax relief possible. I suppose I was just wondering if anybody else had any views on it? Or can anybody recommend a good college to do a similar masters in?

Thanks
Pixie

An Bradán Feasa

I attended an information session on it. Yeah it is all online, but you have to do the research for the thesis just like any other Masters degree. If you're in the teaching profession and want to do a Masters that will benefit your career, I'd recommend an M. Ed. over this. But if you want a Masters just for the sake of having one, then do this course.

Bear in mind, this is far more expensive than any other similar Masters degree.

hayser

I'm hoping to do my Masters in Education with the Open University soon. It's recognised in Ireland, you can stretch it over a few years if you want to and you get 20% back through tax credits:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/education/index.htm

Pixie4

Thanks for the replies.

An Bradan Feasa: I definitely do not want to do a Masters for the sake of doing one so I am veering towards the Masters in Education. I am just wondering if you have one done yourself and if so where did you do it if you don't mind me asking?

hayser: Thanks a million for the info and link on Open University-I am definitely going to check it out. Cheers

An Bradán Feasa

Pixie4, I haven't done a Masters yet, but I did consider Hibernia's one. After attending the information session, I decided that the MA in Teaching and Learning would not be of any real use to me.

I've decided that if and when I do a Masters, it'll be an M.Ed., as this would be more focused and professional.

gogsy

An Bradán Feasa wrote: »

I attended an information session on it. Yeah it is all online, but you have to do the research for the thesis just like any other Masters degree. If you're in the teaching profession and want to do a Masters that will benefit your career, I'd recommend an M. Ed. over this. But if you want a Masters just for the sake of having one, then do this course.

Bear in mind, this is far more expensive than any other similar Masters degree.

How can u recommend an M.Ed over Hibernia's MATL if you haven't done both.
That is a ridiculous statement.

Isn't Hibernia College a private college? If so, the fees would have to be higher for obvious reasons.
I read an article recently stating how the graduates of Hibernia College were in fact regarded higher than that of the other teaching institutions. When I can source it, I will post it up to educate you with "real" facts.
Also, the Open University offer a range of exciting, innovative courses which the main poster should regard.

Consider what type of learner you are, that should be a good indication of whether an online or face-to-face course would suit you.

Good luck with the hunt. Make sure that you do plenty of reading around your courses of choice and contact people at the various institutions to help you with your decisions- they'd be the best informed

ulysses32

I wouldn't agree that Hibernia graduates are any better or worse than those of other institutions. Many masters curricula are similar in content. a research masters might allow one to specialise in a particular area much quicker than through a taught programme.

I did the modular M.Ed in UCC which was a great course with a wide variety of modules. I completed it in one year thanks to them giving recognition of SEN course and granting extra credit of same. Explore this option if you have other qualifications that may be recognised.

gogsy

I'm not about better or worse either, I am aware that it was a study conducted. My father is pretty high up in HETAC and shows us documents relevant to our area of work- we're all in ed bar an accountant!! Teaching and lecturing runs in the family.

It just annoys me when I see someone saying if u wanna have a masters just coz do Hibernia....

When I look at attitudes in Ireland to anything new, it sickens me how slow people are to adapt. Opinions form before any basic knowledge of something is assumed

Pixie4

Thanks again to all for your replies...I am still exploring my options and will take all your advice on board. As it happens I am currently working my way through the Open University prospectus.

ulysses32 can I just ask about the recognition you received for your SEN course from UCC. In a previous life I was a fully qualified Special Needs Assistant before I retrained as a teacher. Do you think that this training would be recognised?

Gibbs

DIT have an MA in Higher Education, if that's your interest. http://dit.ie/lttc/programmes/mainhighereducation/

Regarding the Hibernia MA, I thought (perhaps incorrectly) that it was for current teachers.

smcgiff

gogsy wrote: »

I read an article recently stating how the graduates of Hibernia College were in fact regarded higher than that of the other teaching institutions. When I can source it, I will post it up to educate you with "real" facts.

Any luck?

Ceilteach

Doubt it. Whether it's fair or not I don't know one single principal who would look on an interview candidate from Hibernia as superior to a candidate from anywhere else. Not saying they would disregard them but to say that they'd look more favourably on them is nonsense. Interviewees are interviewed for a reason. if you can't interview and don't show a knowledge / aptitude / ability for the job then it doesn't matter where you went.

smcgiff

Ceilteach wrote: »

Doubt it.

Agree, that the Hibernian qualification is a pass degree would seem to mitigate against it if anything.

Annoyoboy

smcgiff wrote: »

Agree, that the Hibernian qualification is a pass degree would seem to mitigate against it if anything.

The Hibernia "Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education" is a Level 8 award, the same as the all the other teaching qualifications.

Annoyoboy

An Bradán Feasa wrote: »

Bear in mind, this is far more expensive than any other similar Masters degree.

Not really. DCU's part-time MSc in Education & Training costs €9,600+ which is actually more expensive. I think most Masters degrees are around the €8/9k mark.

toby2111

Hi,
Saw a flyer for that MA in Teaching and Learning online from Hibernia and am interested in enrolling.Has anyone done it,or are doing it?Is it interesting,tough etc?I like the fact thats its online so is there any cheaper alternative Masters in Education?
Pixie4-have you started it?Any feedback?
Hayser-have you started the Open University one you mentioned above?Would you recommend it?

hayser

Hi Toby.

Unfortunately I couldn't start this year due to my work hours being reduced so I'm hoping to start it next year instead. I noticed that the OU has brought out some new choices of courses for the MA in Education but a cut a few I was hoping to do. Which MA are you thinking of doing?

toby2111

Hi hayser,
Just saw an ad in the INTO magazine about the MA in teaching and learning from Hibernia and thought it looked fairly interesting.I haven't looked into the OU route yet,dont really understand how it works actually!Do I pick 3 different modules to total 180 credit points??The course content of the Hibernia masters looks decent-managing behaviour,i learning etc so would be looking at a similar programme through the OU.Hibernia course is a bit expensive but are you sure the OU masters is accepted and recognised here?Which MA are you looking at?

ww15

Hi just wondering if you started the masters with OU adn what you thinght of it? I between minds whether to go with Hibernia or the OU. Do you know if it is possible to do the masters with OU in two years?

toby2111

hi,
No havent started yet but will probably choose OU,much cheaper and less hassle.What masters are you looking at from OU?

ww15

I am thinking of the Masters of Education with OU. You're right about it being much cheaper, Hibernia costs a fortune!! I just want to make sure that the qualification is recognised here before I register for it. Are you thinking of OU this year?

toby2111

As far as I know their courses are fully recognised here.Dont think I'll have the cash available to start OU this year but hope to enrol early next year.I see the Educational Enquiry course is compulsory,what other 2 courses are you interested in?The Managing Behaviour in Schools course seems interesting.

distracted_gem

I am finishing my honours degree in Event Tourism and Hospitality Management, and wish to pursue a career in education, post-primary, further or higher education, VEC, Youth Reach etc.

I am torn between a few course and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which is the best road to follow:

Maynooth PGDE 1 Year
DIT PGD in Third Level Learning and Teaching
DCU PGD in Education
MA or PGD in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia

HAs anyone any ideas or views on which of these courses are most beneficial ? and most recognised by teaching institutions and the Teaching Council?

spurious

distracted_gem wrote: »

I am finishing my honours degree in Event Tourism and Hospitality Management, and wish to pursue a career in education, post-primary, further or higher education, VEC, Youth Reach etc.

I am torn between a few course and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which is the best road to follow:

Maynooth PGDE 1 Year
DIT PGD in Third Level Learning and Teaching
DCU PGD in Education
MA or PGD in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia

HAs anyone any ideas or views on which of these courses are most beneficial ? and most recognised by teaching institutions and the Teaching Council?

I would check first if your primary degree qualifies you to teach any second level subjects.

distracted_gem

Hi there

Where the title of my degree is Event Tourism and Hospitality Management, I will be awarded a Bachelor of Business Studies, where the approved subjects are accounting/economics and business.

I also trained as a chef and have loads of work experience in the culinary area etc, so I am hoping if I completed a teaching qualification, areas in teaching business or Home Economics or VEC/FE or Youthreach may be open to me!

rainbowtrout

distracted_gem wrote: »

Hi there

Where the title of my degree is Event Tourism and Hospitality Management, I will be awarded a Bachelor of Business Studies, where the approved subjects are accounting/economics and business.

I also trained as a chef and have loads of work experience in the culinary area etc, so I am hoping if I completed a teaching qualification, areas in teaching business or Home Economics or VEC/FE or Youthreach may be open to me!

While you might be qualified to teach Business Studies (if your degree is on the list approved by the teaching council) you will not be qualified to teach home economics because you are a qualified chef. You need a Home Economics degree for that. The only place that offers it in Ireland is St. Angela's in Sligo.