Master of Science in Outdoor Education, Sustainability and Well-being

This MSc in Outdoor Education, Well-being and Sustainability in ATU Mayo Campus will develop the knowledge, capacity, and know-how of outdoor professionals Graduates will function as highly competent self-aware senior leaders, capable of implementation of programmes in well-being, experiential place-based learning and education for sustainability. This Master’s degree is work-focused and applied in nature, focusing on interdisciplinary application. Graduates will draw on the latest research and methodology to critically reflect on and develop their impact in their chosen specialist sector. It is aimed at those who want to develop policy, change practice and further develop their competencies to play a valuable role in shaping their organisations and teams.

The suite of modules is designed to meet the needs of the growing outdoor education and outdoor learning sector. The blended mode delivery, structured modules and options for an embedded exit award are tailored to provide students with the opportunity to develop applied skills to bring about change and real improvements in their workplace and to address the challenges for their sector now and into the future. The diversity of the sector is addressed by designing structured modules reflecting current developments and facilitating student assessment that facilitates sector specific applications, which is followed by a large research component in year 2 that facilitates more in-depth research into an evolving field of study. This design reflects feedback from consultations within the sector and ensures the programme remains future orientated.

Unique in Ireland
This course is unique in that it is the first post-graduate outdoor education award to be developed in Ireland . The programme fosters a strong philosophy of outdoor education across all modules  utilising experiential approaches, residential experiences, journeying and other outdoor experiences.  The programme embeds place based learning within an Irish cultural and landscape context. The programme make use of an innovative range of online blended methodologies to enhance the effectiveness and engagement of the programme.  
This Masters programme has been designed to prepare students with the requisite level of understanding, knowledge, and skills to work within outdoor and other experiential education contexts.

Applicant's Will Require the Following:

• A personal statement 
• Ideally, applicants will hold a Level 8 degree at H2.2 or equivalent and experiential / outdoor education (OE) experiences. 
• However, applicants not having a formal qualification can be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).  
• Please note that RPL is a separate process (i.e. applicants must first apply to the programme on the ATU website, and then apply for RPL on www.myexperience.ie– you can link with mairead.cluskey@atu.ie to guide you through this process). 
• Applicants may come from a diversity of backgrounds. Applicants’ outdoor education experience may be from any facet of OE ranging from education / outdoor adventure / environmental studies/ outdoor playschools / field studies / or other disciplines utilising experiential pedagogies in the outdoor environment. 

This programme will support outdoor professionals throughout Ireland to develop and upskill themselves and be exposed to new and current policy guided practice whilst gaining an academic award. This may lead to promotional opportunities and/or support those potentially seeking positions as educators who will utilise the outdoors as a learning context. This course will also enable learners to evidence based contemporary approaches by continuously linking theory and evolving methodologies to their own practice. Pedagogical approaches such as systems thinking and critical thinking utilised with the core modules have been identified as essential to ensuring workers remain resilient and current in future in order to facilitate sustainable futures for all. Potential employment opportunities were identified within:

• The broad youth and community sector
• The informal education sector
• The environmental studies sector
• The therapeutic sector

Applicants will require the following:

• A personal statement 
• Ideally, applicants will hold a Level 8 degree at H2.2 or equivalent and experiential / outdoor education (OE) experiences. 
• However, applicants not having a formal qualification can be considered through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).  
• Please note that RPL is a separate process (i.e. applicants must first apply to the programme on the ATU website, and then apply for RPL on www.myexperience.ie– you can link with mairead.cluskey@atu.ie to guide you through this process). 
• There is no cognate award requirement for entry as candidates Applicants may be come from a diversity of backgrounds. Applicant’s Candidates’ outdoor education experience may be from any facet of OE ranging from education / outdoor adventure / environmental studies/ outdoor playschools / field studies / or other disciplines utilising experiential pedagogies in the outdoor environment. 

Please Note

• All students will require Garda vetting
• One of the modules has a 5-day journeying experience which will require participants to be available for this aspect of the programme. 

Fees and Funding

The Total Fees (EU Fees) for this programme can be found on our Fees & Funding webpage - Fees & Funding | ATU - Atlantic Technological University

Contact Us

Kevin O’Callaghan  
Kevin.ocallaghan@atu.ie  
353949043281

Stephen Hannon
Stephen.Hannon@atu.ie  
353949043121