Course Summary
The Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal and Health Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education SPHE/RSE, the first of its kind in an Irish context, is funded by the Department of Education (DE) under an initiative to provide pathways for progression for post-primary teachers and to build capacity and leadership within the teaching profession in relation to the teaching of SPHE/RSE.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
This programme is open to all serving teachers who are employed in a position funded by the DE and who teach, and will continue to teach, SPHE/RSE in recognised Post-Primary schools.
View the relevant DE Circular Eligibility Criteria - see https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/e4f70-nqf-level-9-graduate-diploma-in-social-personal-and-health-educationrelationships-and-sexuality-education-spherse-programme-2025/
Application Details
Application Deadlines
Closing date for non EU applicants is 2nd December 2025
Closing date for EU applicants is 2nd December 2025
January intake
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.