TEACHER TRAINING

The Iceland University of Education, which was founded in its present form in 1997, has been the leader in teacher education in Iceland for over 100 years. The university consists of two departments, the Department of Undergraduate Studies with six programmes of study and the Department of Graduate Studies.

The Department of Undergraduate Studies offers the following programmes:
- Developmental Therapy/Social Pedagogy
- Early Childhood Education
- Primary and Lower Secondary Education
- Recreational and Social Activity Studies
- Sport and Physical Education
- Teacher Certification

The programmes offered include a 90 unit (180 ECTS) B.A., B.S., and B.Ed. degree, 45 unit (90 ECTS) Diploma and a 30 unit (60 ECTS) postgraduate degree, Teacher Certification programme.

The postgraduate programme offers courses for professionals in education and Developmental Therapy/Social Pedagogy (a specialisation in the field of disabilities). Study at this level is largely organised as distance education. Postgraduate students can earn a Diploma in Education after completing 15-30 units (30-60 ECTS) or a M.Ed. degree after 60 units (120 ECTS). Graduate students choose a specialisation in fields such as special education, administration, curriculum and instruction, education theory or educational technology. A 90 unit (180 ECTS) doctoral programme became available in 2001.

Due to the shortage of fully trained special educators many special schools and units hire regular teachers on a temporary basis. The same applies to mainstream schools. Approximately 5% of teachers employed at compulsory schools in Iceland are trained special educators.