In an ever-changing world, teachers across all areas of the education sector are increasingly expected to adapt to new technologies, curriculum changes, and diverse classroom needs, while also finding ways to ensure their own professional growth.
For educators in the southeast of Ireland, South East Technological University (SETU) has become a key partner in lifelong learning opportunities that allow teachers to build on and evolve their existing skills in the classroom.
As Dr Helen Murphy, head of the faculty of education and lifelong learning at SETU, explains: “SETU is the only provider in the region of professional development courses in education. Our faculty is involved in delivering a range of programmes across specialist areas.”
Catering to adult learners seeking professional development opportunities, Murphy says “We are increasingly seeking to ensure our programmes are accessible to working professionals by using multiple modes of delivery including online delivery and block release.”
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Over the past decade, the faculty has expanded to offer a portfolio of postgraduate programmes that respond directly to the professional realities of teachers, school leaders, and education practitioners. From master’s degrees in management in education, and teaching and learning, to postgraduate diplomas in teaching in further education (Teaching Council–recognised) and teaching and learning, the emphasis is on accessibility, flexibility, and applied practice.
Real-world relevance
Central to SETU’s range of lifelong learning programmes is a pracademic approach, where theory and research are interwoven with professional practice.
Dr Murphy explains, “We encourage students to blend the practical knowledge from their daily work lives with theory in the classroom. Our modules span curriculum development, pedagogy, assessment, and the latest innovations in education; from AI and sustainability to inclusion.”
This is echoed in the MA in management in education, which equips aspiring leaders with the skills to navigate the complexities of school and system leadership. Dr Murphy highlights the flexibility on offer. “The programme is primarily online and designed around the learner who wants to take the next step in their professional journey.”
This flexibility is vital for busy teachers balancing school responsibilities with professional learning. Via SETU’s programmes, teachers can select modules aligned with their needs at work, whether in classroom practice, curriculum innovation, or leadership, while building credits towards a full qualification over time.
A teacher’s perspective
For John Moloney, a graduate of the MA in management in education, and principal of Bunscoil McAuley Rice in Callan, Co Kilkenny, the experience was transformative. “It has enabled me to further enhance and develop my skillset. It has also motivated me to become an entrepreneurial and innovative leader for many different aspects of education.”
Moloney describes innovative developments taking place at his school, many inspired by his learning on the master’s programme.
“At Bunscoil McAuley Rice, we have recently opened an autism class in our school and, as a champion School of Sanctuary, we constantly strive to model inclusion for all. We are currently expanding the schools photovoltaic programme and will install enhanced renewable energy solutions that will negate our annual energy bills in the future. By 2027, we will have no electrical energy bills annually,” he says.
“Equally, a key part of a school principal’s role is to ensure that our teaching staff is of the highest calibre and is equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge in teaching pedagogy. As school leaders, we must lead by example to demonstrate the importance of staying curious and maintaining an open mind to lifelong learning and personal and professional development.”
On his personal experience of studying at SETU, Moloney says, “After over 23 years as a school principal, it was inspiring and invigorating for me to re-enter the classroom. Learning about cutting-edge research and practice in education that I could bring back and apply to our mission at Bunscoil McAuley Rice gave me a renewed excitement for all the great ways we can continue to enhance the educational environment for our students. The lecturers and staff at SETU were extremely supportive throughout the programme and the modular online format makes this programme extremely accessible for all. I would highly recommend the master’s programme for current or aspiring school leaders from any educational setting. It is a top-class course.”
Partnerships
Collaboration is central to SETU’s educational philosophy. The university works closely with education centres across the southeast to deliver programmes that are both research-led and practice-based.
As Dr Murphy explains, “Together with the education centres, we are creating a professional learning community which empowers teachers to lead and to create their own solutions to their context-specific needs.”
This partnership aims to ensure that CPD is a meaningful experience for professionals that can support them effectively at various stages of their careers.
The future of education
Beyond the immediate demands of curriculum delivery, SETU’s postgraduate programmes also prepare teachers for the bigger questions shaping education. How should schools respond to climate change? What role does AI have in assessment and learning? How can inclusion be fostered in classrooms of increasing diversity?
Dr Murphy highlights SETU’s work in preparing teachers for the further and adult education sector. “Our programmes cater for experienced practitioners as well as novice teachers. They combine theory and practice of teaching adults, while also providing the care and support our students need to develop as effective, reflective practitioners.”
SETU’s programmes aimed at teachers of adult learners include a postgraduate diploma in teaching in further education, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in teaching in adult and further education.
The emphasis on research is also a hallmark of SETU’s approach. As Dr Murphy adds, “Research is not separate from practice, it is deeply embedded in how we teach and how we grow together. The faculty is actively engaged in national and EU-funded research projects to ensure our work has real-world impact.”
Why it matters for the southeast
The presence of SETU’s professional development teaching programmes in the southeast carries particular weight. Teachers across the region now have local access to career-enhancing postgraduate education without the barrier of commuting, creating a greater incentive for teachers to work across the southeast, and in rural settings. This contributes to the broader goals of economic and social development, as articulated in SETU’s Lifelong Learning Strategy.
Dr Murphy sums it up: “Our mission is to facilitate high-quality, flexible programmes that are relevant to the needs of people in our region and nationally. Lifelong learning at SETU enables sustainable economic, social, and cultural development.”
Lifelong learning at SETU
The ethos of SETU’s faculty of education and lifelong learning aligns with both national and European priorities. The OECD Skills Strategy Ireland (2023) report highlights the urgent need for upskilling and reskilling across all professions, while Ireland’s National Access Plan 2022–2028 stresses inclusion and diversification of learners.
For SETU, lifelong learning is a longstanding practice. Over 5,000 adult learners have engaged with the faculty’s programmes in 2025. Through this significant cohort who are upskilling and reskilling across the southeast, SETU is shaping a regional skills ecosystem. For teachers, this ensures that they do not have to travel further afield to access accredited postgraduate education.
A call to teaching professionals
For teachers contemplating their next step, SETU’s postgraduate programmes offer more than qualifications, they offer inspiration, relevance, and a network of like-minded peers with the common goal of excellence and innovation in education. As principal John Moloney’s experience shows, the journey is not just about career advancement but about becoming an educator who can meet the challenges of a changing world with creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
For more information visit setu.ie.
