University College Cork (UCC) Announces Sports Studies BEd Degree Programme

Amidst a growing awareness in Ireland that the benefits of sport have far-reaching positive consequences for society as a whole, UCC today (31 January 2006) announced the addition of a new undergraduate Sports Studies BEd degree programme to prepare students who are interested in making a career in sports. The 4-year degree programme, which commences with the 2006/2007 academic term, is the first degree of its type to be offered in the Munster area.

The BEd Sports Studies Degree programme will be officially launched at a special ceremony hosted by UCC President, Professor Gerard T. Wrixon in UCC's Student Centre alongside the annual presentation of sports scholarships to UCC sport stars. The Munster Council of the GAA will also present bursaries to six students and the Bank of Ireland will present a sponsorship cheque to the President for UCC sports clubs.

"University College Cork is delighted to announce the addition of this new Sports Studies BEd degree programme, which places UCC among a select group of third level institutions dedicated to furthering sports studies in Ireland," said Professor Gerard T. Wrixon, President of UCC. "The overall aim of the new degree is to embed sports professionalism within a positive, humanistic frame of personal and social values that which will celebrate the rich potential that sport can have for all members of society,"

"What makes the degree programme unique in Ireland is that both scientific and humanistic approaches to sport are addressed, which provides a rich foundation for professional coaching and/or teaching," said Dr Tom Mullins, Head of UCC's Department of Education.

The degree has been fully ratified by the Teachers Registration Council as a qualification for teaching PE, English, French, History, Irish, Mathematical Studies, Sociology for CSPE, Classical Studies (Greek & Roman Civilisation) and Economics. During the 4 years, students study the following:

The theory and practice of sports studies and PE;
The theory and practice of Second Level Education;
A specialist subject from the following range of subjects in Arts (English, French, History, Irish, Mathematical Studies, Sociology for CSPE, Greek & Roman Civilisation and Economics)

Additionally, because this course has been developed in full consultation with the Sports Council and the National Coaching Training Centre (NCTC), students taking this course will also be asked to take the national coaching courses offered by National sporting associations in Ireland. As such, students will periodically be placed in schools and clubs to satisfy coaching certificate requirements.

Upon successful completion of the 4-year course, BEd Sports Studies students will be qualified to teach PE and the Arts subject that they choose, therefore giving students the following qualifications:

Teach Physical Education at secondary school level within Ireland;
Teach their specialist subject at secondary school level within Ireland;
Act as a coach at primary or secondary school level; and/or
Act as a sport coach in a club (pending successful completion of established national coaching certificate requirements).

Minimum Entry Requirements are HC3 in 2 subjects and passes in 4 other subjects at H or O level in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, and 3 other subjects recognised as meeting minimum entry requirements. Intake this year will consist of a total of 40 students - 30 school leavers and 10 mature students.

For details on the course please contact: Liz Folan O'Connor, Department of Education, 021 4902696. See http://www.ucc.ie/academic/education/courses/BEd.html

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