And they’re off…First cohort of BA (Hons) in Home Economics & Business students at MTU
New programme will help address the shortage of Home Economics teachers
There are smiles all around the Tourism and Hospitality Department at
the Bishopstown campus of Munster Technological University (MTU) as
students received a warm welcome back onto campus, and there was an
extra group to welcome to MTU this year- the first cohort of BA (Hons)
in Home Economics & Business students. 32 happy and enthusiastic Home
Economics and Business Students commenced their first week of
lectures.
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| Sarah Carty, Aine Cremin and Marie Cantwell with lecturer Breda O’Mahony and Noel Murray,Head of Department of Tourism & Hospitality MTU. |
There has been a welcome to the addition to the offering of Home
Economics within the department and the ability to study the
disciplines of Home Economics and Business in the south of the
country. Marie Cantwell from Tullamore said that “the combination of
Home Economics and Business was of huge interest to me” while Anna
Walmsley from Mallow was delighted to be offered a place on the
programme: “I get to meet equal minded individuals with a passion for
Home Economics & Business.”
Until now, Home Economics was only available at St. Angela’s College,
Sligo. This new offering in Cork has been hugely welcomed. Over the
course of three years, students will engage with a wide variety of
theoretical and practical based modules encompassing the
multidisciplinary nature of the discipline of Home-Economics and
Business. The programme is designed in line with the Teaching
Council’s curricular subject registration requirements. Upon
successful completion of the three-year, level 8 Honours degree,
students will have the option to enter the teaching profession through
a unique collaboration with University College Cork. This protected
pathway will enable students to study a Professional Masters in
Education (PME) over 2 years in University College Cork (UCC) allowing
students to teach both Home Economics and Business to post-primary level.
This unique offering is very appealing for students, with Kate Maddigan, from Shanagolden stating “If I decide to do the PME, I can
experience two different Universities. For Rachel Fenlon from
Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny “Home Economics & Business at MTU gives
students another choice”, while Daniella Quinn from Ballincollig added
“If I achieve a H2.2 or above, it is reassuring to know that I get
automatic entry to the PME at UCC”.
This programme will help address the shortage of Home Economics
teachers, whilst also making a positive contribution to building
deeper knowledge, understanding, and expertise, in other key
disciplinary areas for contemporary society including food education
and environmental sustainability, where healthy eating and
environmental responsibility pose considerable challenges for future
generations.
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| Hannah Hayes and Brid Collins |
