Course description
Students will be able to develop their practical knowledge of Special/Additional Needs, whilst also having the opportunity to consider issues within the current educational debate on inclusion. Since issues surrounding inclusion are pertinent to all professionals involved in working with children, the programme offers an ideal opportunity to enhance promotional prospects.
The programme may be followed through to MA, or you may wish to study only for the intermediate awards of Postgraduate Certificate (PgC), or Postgraduate Diploma (PgD). These are choices you can make as you progress through the programme.
Successfully completing the Masters will enhance your promotion prospects and prepare you for a development role in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) sector.
Contact Time
Ordinarily routes would be 3 Years Part-time although it may be possible to offer a 1 Year Full-time route. Candidates should check its availability for the academic year in which they wish to be considered.
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
The programme involves four taught modules and a thesis by supervised independent study as follows:
* Teaching and Learning or
* Children's Problems
* Inclusive Education
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits
* 1 further module from the above suite
* 1 module which explores Research Methods
Stage 3
Masters (MA) 60 credits
* A dissertation that is a guided study based on individual research within the chosen field.
Teaching and Assessment
A variety of options are available for study, many modules being available on line. Whilst some modules will continue to be offered face-to-face, others will be by Saturday workshops, support sessions within cluster groups or by directed study.
Assessment is either by written assignment, presentation, thesis or evidence of personal research within the chosen area of study.
Work Experience
There are no specific placements associated with this programme although many students are practising teachers and there is an opportunity to develop professional practice within their work base.
Career Opportunities
Past graduates from this programme have gone on to work in areas such as special needs and inclusion posts, and senior management posts in education. One past student has gone on to co-author a book, with a member of the course team, on supporting children with dyslexia in the mainstream school.
Supplemental Information
The programme is ideally suited to all teachers and other professionals in fields closely related to education. The new, flexible approach to teaching and learning makes this particularly suitable for those already in employment.
