Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	SG_EINCL_S06
Level	6
Duration	1 year
Credits	30
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	St Angelas
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

Apply Now How to Apply

Course Overview

Before you apply for the course, please review the ‘How to Apply’ section carefully.

This Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is offered by the School of Education in collaboration with the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies. The Programme has been developed and designed in conjunction with the Department of Education (DoE) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Students who are working in SNA positions in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes are fully-funded by the DoE. Applications will be accepted from those not working as SNAs and these applicants are self-funded. Separate entry requirements apply for those working as SNAs and those not working as SNAs. First preference will be given to those working in SNA positions.

This 60-hour, 30-ECT part-time special purpose award will equip SNAs working in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes with the necessary skills, attitudes and knowledge to effectively support the care needs of students with Additional Educational Needs (AENs).

The Programme is delivered part-time online over one academic year and consists of six modules of 5 ECTs each.

The Modules are:
1. Inclusive Education of Students with Additional Educational Needs
2. Language and Communication
3. Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs
4. Social and Emotional Development
5. Supporting Students with Autism
6. Enhancing Personal and Professional Competencies as a SNA.

Each module consists of ten hours of indicative content delivered over four weeks in the form of online asynchronous lectures and synchronous webinars. Three in-person practical training seminars, two in Semester one and one in Semester two will be delivered in person in five regional locations to support the geographical spread of students. Practical Training Seminar 2 will be a mandatory component of the programme and aligned with Module 3: Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs.

The guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has been taken into consideration in regard to the design of the programme to ensure equitable and fair access to content, and to maximise the engagement of students and expression of learning. The Community of Practice (CoP) Model (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and the core philosophy of the reflective and reflexive practitioner are also embedded in the programme design. The CoP model highlights social and experiential aspects of learning where students will be provided with opportunities to interact, discuss challenges, share insights and learn from other participant experiences. The CoP model offers SNAs a variety of opportunities – through seminars, webinars, and reflective spaces, to engage, collaborate, reflect and build practical knowledge and skills. This blended model accommodates diverse learning preferences and supports both individual and collective professional growth.

Recommended Study Hours per week

2-3 hours of lectures per week
7 hours self-directed Independent Learning
3 in-person practical training sessions of 4 hours duration each. Two in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2

Examination and Assessment

All modules are continuously assessed. The students will be assessed in a variety of ways, through online testlets, assignments, e-tivities, infographics, mind-maps, and journaling. To align with UDL principles, students will be provided with a choice of assessment responses. For example, written answer, audio response, PowerPoint with a voiceover, poster presentation, mind map, photo elicitation with headings. Rubrics and exemplars will be provided for each assessment response, aligned to the learning outcomes, in order to support learners to monitor their own learning and to progress.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

The programme includes three in-person practical training sessions to be held at five regional locations (Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Sligo, and Waterford). These seminars will be provided outside school hours on Saturdays, 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. The locations have been chosen considering the geographical spread of the students and to minimise travel for students. The practical training sessions are staggered to ensure students have more than one opportunity to attend. Practical Training Seminar 2 will be a mandatory component of the programme and aligned with Module 3: Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

If You Are Working as an SNA

To apply, you must:

Be currently employed (part-time or full-time) in a primary, post-primary, special school, or special class that has a Department of Education school roll number
Submit a signed Principal’s Declaration Form

If You Are NOT Working as an SNA

You can still apply, but please note:

You will not be funded by the Department of Education (you must self-fund)
You may be offered a place only if spaces are available after all eligible SNAs are placed

To qualify, you must meet one of the following:

A pass in the Leaving Certificate (5 subjects at grade D or higher, including Maths and English or Irish),
OR
A Level 5 qualification (or equivalent) on the National Framework of Qualifications,
OR
Be a mature applicant (aged 23 or older by January 1st of the year you apply – subject to review)

How to Apply

Before you apply for the course, please read these steps carefully.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

If you are working as an SNA:

Download the Principal’s Declaration Form
Ask your School Principal to complete and sign it
Scan or photograph the signed form (you will need to upload this when applying)

If you are NOT working as an SNA:

Gather your qualification documents (e.g. Leaving Cert results or Level 5 cert)

Step 2: Submit Your Online Application

Return to this programme webpage and click ‘Apply Now’
Complete the online application (personal details, etc.)
Upload required documents:
– SNAs: Signed Principal’s Declaration Form
– Non-SNAs: Qualification certificates/results

Applications will be deemed incomplete if the required documentation is not completed and not uploaded with the Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application process are completed.

Step 3: Complete the Microsoft Forms Questionnaire.

This is required for additional information regarding your application. Click here to bring you to the questionnaire.

Use Google Chrome on a laptop or computer
Complete the form in one sitting
Answer all required questions (use “N/A” if something doesn’t apply)

What Happens Next?
All applicants will be informed of the result of their application approximately four weeks after submission.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €1200

The programme is fully funded by the Department of Education for applicants working full-time or part-time in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes (a school that has been issued a roll number).

Further information on fees

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

The programme is suitable for graduates working as SNAs or who are interested in working as SNAs in primary, post-primary, special schools or special classes.