Diploma in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Course details

The programme provides a post-graduate qualification for all professionals interested in the area of SEN.

A modular blended learning programme (which includes e-tivities, discussion boards and some face-to-face workshops) offered over two years.

Postgraduate Certificate students must complete two modules from those listed below. Postgraduate Diploma students must complete four from those listed below.

• Adult, Disadvantage and Intercultural Education
• Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs);
• Challenging Behaviour
• Educational Research Methods
• General Learning Difficulties;
• Inclusion for learning
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Specific Learning Difficulties I (Communication, Speech and Language Difficulties and Dyslexia);
• Specific Learning Difficulties II (Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder;

Research methods are critical to successful study at MA level and will incorporate problem-solving activities, action research in professional contexts and the opportunity to link theory and practice in general and in terms of the execution of coursework. Participants accepted onto the Masters stage of the programme will have achieved an increased level of competence and confidence within their chosen pathway.� They will also be looking forward to choosing the area of study for their MA dissertation and beginning to reflect on possible research methodologies for their dissertation. The Advanced Research and Dissertation Module (60 ECTS) will provide students with the opportunity to make and implement informed choices regarding professionally relevant areas of research for their dissertation and to do this with the guidance and support of tutors and peers. Lectures take place at weekends between September � December and students use the remainder of the year to carry out research and draft material for their MA Dissertation.

The final dissertation will be a maximum of 20,000 words and the topic chosen by the participant must be related to the specific pathway chosen by the participant.

Continuous assessment will apply throughout the programme. It will combine coursework on relevant aspects of Special Educational Needs with e-tivities, discussion boards, portfolio/project-based learning, literature reviews and case studies, which will be carried out within an appropriate educational context during the academic year. The concept of the ‘reflective practitioner’ will be a basic criterion permeating all forms of assessment.