BellTIME
BellTIME
Mary Immaculate College expands its geographical footprint
following the incorporation of St. Patrick’s College, Thurles
Mary Immaculate College is delighted to announce the
incorporation of St. Patrick’s College, Thurles, which
currently offers the following four degree programmes that
prepare students to become second-level teachers:
• BA in Education, Business Studies and Accounting
(MI009)
• BA in Education, Business Studies and Religious
Studies (MI010)
• BA in Education, Irish and Religious Studies (MI011)
• BA in Education, Irish and Business Studies (MI012)
Minister for Education & Skills, Minister Jan O’Sullivan
T.D. announced the incorporation by Mary Immaculate
College (MIC) of St. Patrick’s College, stating, “This is a
very significant development that will be of great
benefit to the students, staff and broader stakeholders
of Mary Immaculate College and St. Patrick’s College.
I want to commend the management and staff of both
institutions on the professional manner in which they
have brought about this incorporation ably assisted by
the Higher Education Authority.”
She went on to say “Today’s announcement underlines
Mary Immaculate College’s pre-eminent role in the
provision of initial teacher education in Ireland. The
quality and dedication of teaching staff in the Irish
education system is recognised internationally as one
of our great strengths. MIC has contributed hugely to
this positive aspect of education in Ireland and this
new development will ensure that the College
continues to go from strength to strength.”
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The announcement was also welcomed by the Chief
Executive of the Higher Executive Authority (HEA), Mr.
Tom Boland, whose officials were closely involved in
negotiations with MIC and St. Patrick’s College.
to the education sector as a whole and to the economy
offering very favourable employment prospects to
graduates.
“Clearly,” according to MIC President Professor
Michael A Hayes, “MIC is held in the highest regard by
the Minister and the Department of Education & Skills
and is seen strategically as the ideal vehicle for the
continuation of the important subject areas taught at
St. Patrick’s College, including Irish, Religion,
Business Studies and Accounting, all of which are in
high demand by secondary schools searching for the
most highly qualified graduates. There is also an
obvious complementarity in both campuses’ cultures,
where the student is placed at the centre of both
institutions’ missions and a campus environment
conducive to a warm and friendly community
ambience is at the centre of all its activities.”
MIC Limerick will continue to offer two four-year B.Ed.
programmes, for those wishing to become a primary
teacher (with the option of having a specialisation in
Educational Psychology), a programme for those who
wish to work in the area of professional childhood care
and education, a Liberal Arts programme offering a wide
array of subjects such subjects as Media &
Communication Studies, Psychology, English; and an
exciting new BA in Contemporary and Applied Theatre
Studies. MIC will continue to offer a host of postgraduate
programmes to doctoral level in Education and in the
Liberal Arts, Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
courses, and numerous access and inclusion pathways.
Following the incorporation MIC will now offer a choice of
nine undergraduate honours degree programmes, for
intake in September 2016. MIC, St Patrick’s Campus,
Thurles will offer four undergraduate programmes to
those interested in becoming a second-level teacher in the
shape of concurrent degree programmes leading to
sought-after specialisations in subject areas that include
Irish, Religion, Accountancy and Business Studies. These
programmes are specifically geared towards initial teacher
education for the second-level school sector in Ireland.
The programmes, which are accredited by the University
of Limerick and the Teaching Council, have been
comprehensively redesigned to meet the requisite
standards of these bodies and the needs of graduates
entering the teaching profession. The programmes offer
unique content and subject combinations that are valuable
Mary Immaculate College is
also committed to improving
access to higher education
for adults and we welcome
applications to all our
undergraduate programmes
from mature applicants. If
you are at least 23 years old
on the 1st January of the
year of entry to College, you
are considered as a mature
student. Here at MIC we
happen to think that there
are a number of reasons as
to why mature students
should consider MIC as their
College of Choice. These include:
• Designated Centre of Excellence in Teacher Education
• MIC’s commitment to Lifelong Learning
• Alternative pathways in gaining access to third level
education
• Tailored support systems available to mature students
• State-of-the-art city centre campus
• Highly sought-after programmes
• Friendly and relaxed atmos