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Learning and Development (Diploma)

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Course Overview

This course is specifically targeted at those who currently hold coordination, managerial and supervisory responsibilities in corporate Learning and Development roles; as well as new participants entering this sector. The course aims to develop effective and responsible change agents to design, develop and operationalise strategic plans within their areas of responsibility and emphasises skills development around Coaching, Human Resource Management and Online Learning Development.

This course allows you to gain a one-year part-time Diploma in Learning and Development (30 ECTS) and is accredited at Level 8 on the NFQ.

Mode of Study: Online Learning

Applications and Selections

Applications open from 1st April 2023.

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning & CPD Courses Application.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

Early application is advised as offers will be made on a rolling basis.

 

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Students are required to participate in online discussions and activities throughout the year. All modules are individually assessed. Assessment will be by means of a combination of written assignments, reflective journals, e-learning and multi-media exercises, group projects, practical assignments, and presentations.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally required to have a relevant coordination, managerial and or supervisory experience in the lifelong learning sector (e.g. FET, Corporate, Public or Community Service). However, new applicants to Learning and Development are invited to apply for this course.

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found in our FAQs section (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.). Applicants who do not satisfy these academic entry requirements can apply for this course through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, part-time

Next start date

October 2023

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date
NFQ level

8

Mode of study

Online Learning

ECTS weighting

30

Award

Diploma in Learning and Development

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Course Delivery

This course is delivered online through:

  • Live online lectures
  • Podcasts and presentations (recorded spoken lectures with presentation slides)
  • Screencasts 
  • Reading material, assignments and online discussions

This course will help you build your professional competence. On successful completion of the course you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an up-to-date specialised knowledge learning and development change management frameworks paying particular attention to  identifying how their activities are shaped by organisational policies and economic conditions;   
  • Carry out a situation analysis with a view to gaining insights into the activities, implications and challenges of implementing strategy within a changing political, societal, economic and organisational environments;
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and models of coaching and mentoring and their role in enhancing individual performance in the workplace;
  • Critically analyse core concepts, principles and models of human resource management and human resource development in relation to their application and their limitations;
  • Explain the range of knowledge, skills and competence needed by learning and development practitioners to develop, facilitate and manage an effective virtual learning environment and the range of knowledge, skills and competence needed by learners to fully engage in collaborative virtual learning communities;
  • Apply advance analytical skills to the practical considerations of establishing a virtual learning environment that encompasses online learning models and blended learning models;
  • Self-assess personal strengths, characteristics and skills to evaluate and monitor personal and professional development;
  • Perform professional roles and responsibilities in a way that fosters a climate of mutual support and trust, that instils an agentic culture of accomplishment and that enables continuous improvement of strategy implementation and change management processes.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required TE190: Coaching for Improved Performance


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module enables you to build on your training competence by developing coaching knowledge, skills and competence.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and models of coaching and mentoring and their role in enhancing individual performance in the workplace
  2. Evaluate different models of coaching and mentoring and appraise their usefulness in bridging the gap between learning and practice
  3. Explain the core competencies, including knowledge, skills and personal characteristics, of an effective and professional coach
  4. Select and apply practical coaching skills to formulate responses to unpredictable, complex and ill-defined problems; justify and communicate decisions to others.
  5. Exercise autonomy and judgement in adopting professional standards, best practice and code of ethics in a variety of complex coaching and mentoring contexts
  6. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and models of coaching and mentoring and their role in enhancing individual performance in the workplace
  7. Critically evaluate own coaching skills, seeking guidance when working independently; provide guidance to others
  8. Express an internalised view of the values of coaching and mentoring as they relate to individual performance and organisational goals
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module TE190: "Coaching for Improved Performance" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required TE170: The Virtual Learning Environment


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module aims to provide an understanding of electronic learning technologies and their adaption in designing, implementing and moderating courses in a virtual learning environment.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate broad, up-to-date, general knowledge and specialised knowledge of the scope and context of the virtual learning environment as it relates to adult learners
  2. Explain fundamental models and concepts of the virtual learning environment and how their underlying principles determine appropriate integration of technology in the learning environment
  3. Explain the range of knowledge, skills and competence needed by educational practitioners to develop, facilitate and manage an effective virtual learning environment and the range of knowledge, skills and competence needed by learners to fully engage in collaborative virtual learning communities
  4. Apply advance analytical skills to the practical considerations of establishing a virtual learning environment that encompasses online learning models and blended learning models
  5. Exercise autonomy and judgement when employing technology design competence to develop appropriate pedagogical approaches for different delivery models within the virtual learning environment
  6. Manage and take professional responsibility when evaluating the relationship between the learner and learning technologies, and use this evaluation to develop positive individual and collaborative learning situations
  7. Reflectively appraise the knowledge and skills that contribute to successful management and monitoring of the virtual learning environment
  8. Express professional commitment to adopting appropriate pedagogical practices when designing, developing, implementing and managing the virtual learning environment
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module TE170: "The Virtual Learning Environment" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required TE1740: Organisation Management: Human Resources


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

Focusing on the area of human resource development, this module adds to your training expertise by studying topics such as organisation development, employee involvement, training and team development.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate a broad and up-to-date knowledge of nature of work and employment which form the background to human resource management (HRM) and human resource development (HRD)
  2. Critically analyse core concepts, principles and models of human resource management and human resource development in relation to their application and their limitations
  3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the roles and responsibilities of the line manager, the HRD practitioner and the Human Resource department in organisations committed to HRM
  4. Formulate responses and practices that reflect a HRM ‘bundle’ underlying a high performance work system within unpredictable, complex and ill-defined problems
  5. Critically appraise the range of skills and approaches a HRD professional needs to develop a learning culture, promote employee and team development and facilitate learning in a modern organisation
  6. Act effectively individually and in a team role to draw up a comprehensive Human Resources Development Plan for an organisation, based on strategic priorities identified in the business plan
  7. Manage learning tasks independently, professionally and ethically when working alone, under the guidance of others or when providing guidance to others
  8. Express a personal and professional perspective of the value of HRM and HRD as they relate to their contributions to organisational effectiveness
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module TE1740: "Organisation Management: Human Resources" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Further Education

For graduates who do not hold an undergraduate degree, this course offers exemptions into the Business/Commerce (Degree/Diploma)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This course will provide you with a recognised training qualification that can lead to or accelerate career opportunities in a wide range of areas such as:

  • Corporate training and professional development sectors
  • Further education and training sectors
  • Voluntary and community-based training organisations
  • Human resources and staff development areas of a wide range of organisations
  • Private training providers

Who’s Suited to This Course

These courses are suitable to those from backgrounds such as:

  • Learning and Development managers and practitioners;
  • Vocational trainers;
  • Solas instructors or people wishing to pursue a career as a trainer in Solas;
  • Educational consultants;
  • Human resource specialists;
  • Those practising or planning a career as trainers in the educational, industrial, commercial, voluntary and community sectors.

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€2,640 2023/24

Fees: Tuition

€2,570 2023/24

Fees: Student levy

€70 2023/24

Fees: Non EU

€3,140 2023/24

Fees for this course are collected directly by the Centre, please see our staff listing

A fee scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment. Must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following:

  • Job-seekers Benefit
  • Job-seekers Allowance
  • One-parent family allowance
  • Disability Allowance
  • Community Employment Scheme
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Signing for social insurance contribution credits

For more information download the 23/24 Scholarship Form

Find out More

Adult Training and Education Studies

Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
University of Galway, Nuns' Island, Galway
Tel: 353 91 494059/494055
Email: trainingeducation@universityofgalway.ie

Anna

Anna Farkas |   Graduate

I chose the Learning & Development Diploma so that I can change my career path. I have always been passionate about learning and teaching and the University of Galway gave me profound knowledge as well as useful tools to unlock my potential. The modules of the course are very well-structured with especially relevant content that makes use of the latest research available in the field of L&D. I have gained valuable knowledge and experience through meaningful learning activities, projects, and assignments. I had to put the theoretics into practice which significantly improved many of my professional capabilities. Furthermore, the tutors are highly competent experts who show genuine enthusiasm and motivate learners, which really inspired me. I particularly enjoyed the interactive virtual classes where I could collaborate with and learn from my peers. The fact that the course was delivered online in a blended way allowed me to participate from outside Ireland while working full-time. I am sure that I will be able to reach my professional goals now that I have completed the course as I am equipped with a strong foundation to be able to work in this field as a dedicated professional.

Downloads

  • Adult Learning Quick Guide

    Adult Learning Quick Guide Flipbook (2023/24)

  • Micro-credentials Brochure

    Micro-credentials Brochure Flipbook (2023/24)