Courses
Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education
Postgraduate Certificate
Course Details
Course Code | SG_GPROF_N09 |
---|---|
Level | 9 |
Duration | 1 year |
Credits | 30 |
Method of Delivery | Online |
Campus Locations | St Angelas |
Mode of Delivery | Part Time |

Course Overview
An inclusive education system includes, welcomes, and supports all learners to learn and teachers must be professionally competent and confident in teaching and breaking down barriers to ensure every child and young person can achieve their full potential.
This online learning programme enables teachers and educational professionals to acquire a thorough professional knowledge and understanding of inclusive education to support them to create inclusive classrooms. The programme will equip teachers and other educational professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to be effective in supporting the education of learners in an inclusive context, including those with special educational needs.
The programme is underpinned by constructivist, student-centred, active and participative methodologies offered within a collaborative online learning community, cognisant of best practice in a professional context and excellence in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approaches. This Postgraduate Certificate is aimed at teachers and educational professionals, with the flexibility to fit their studies around their current work commitments.
Programme Outline
The programme is structured to provide students with a range of elective modules so that their learning journey can be personalised and shaped to their interests and professional needs.
Elective modules include Inclusive Instructional Strategies, Introduction to Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Literacy and Dyslexia, Numeracy and Dyscalculia, Supporting Students with Autism, Supporting Students with General Learning Disabilities.
Students successfully completing 30 ECTS of modules (i.e. 2 modules) exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Inclusive Instructional StrategiesThis module introduces students to inclusive strategies, which can be used to design inclusive learning environments. Students will have the opportunity to explore theoretical foundations of inclusive design approaches, which emphasise the importance of environmental and universal approaches to support inclusion. Theoretical foundations such as critical pedagogy and the social model of disability will provide a lens through which to view an inclusive design approach. Learner variability will be explored and embraced through an exploration of literature and content which supports a movement towards education for social justice. Students will have the opportunity to apply inclusive design principals to their own context to support planning, assessment and delivery. Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice . Learning Outcomes 1. Recognise the importance of learner variability and diversity (disability, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds etc.) |
15 | Elective |
1 |
Introduction to Deaf/Hard of HearingThis module focuses on developing an understanding of Deafness and Hard of Hearing (D/HH). Students will be introduced to the history of Deaf, Deaf culture and Deaf identity. It will provide information on different communication approaches. The module will develop an understanding of the legislative framework of service delivery to deaf children, the range of provision and communication options available, service delivery to deaf children and importance of inter-agency working. The nature of deafness and types of amplification will be explained. Students will develop a theoretical understanding of language acquisition in D/HH children. They will analyse the potential effects of deafness on the language learning process, and the central position of those around the child in supporting communication. This will provide a foundation for knowledge around how to support the D/HH child in a school setting in such a way as to encourage autonomy and self-management. Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice . Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate Deaf history, culture, and Deaf identity |
15 | Elective |
1 |
Literacy and DyslexiaThis module focuses on developing awareness, knowledge and skills required for supporting students with literacy differences and dyslexia. It examines the issues, debates, and most recent research regarding the development of literacy, and the nature of and current conceptualisation of dyslexia and how the two are related. Utilising a neurodiversity lens and underpinned by UDL approaches, the module addresses how to identify and support students arising from these differences through evidence informed approaches. Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the concepts of literacy and dyslexia including theoretical nature of differences arising from literacy and dyslexia |
15 | Elective |
2 |
Supporting Students with General Learning DisabilitiesThis module will provide a comprehensive overview of general learning disabilities and its implications for schools, teachers, students and learning. The module will focus on understandings of general learning disabilities: developmental pathways, characteristics, current supports and approaches in the context of current education policy and legislation . This knowledge will facilitate students in making a critical assessment of educational policy and practice regarding inclusive provision for these students in education. Students will be guided in developing school-wide and individual plans to support students with general learning disabilities in special and inclu sive contexts . Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate theor e tical understandings of general learning disabilities (GLD) including presentation and characteristics of GLD |
15 | Elective |
2 |
Numeracy and DyscalculiaThis module focuses on developing a thorough understanding of the concept of numeracy and its underpinning principles. Acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to identify students with learning differences in numerac y, in particular, dyscalculia is a core tenet of the module . Theorists and t heories underpinning numeracy development and dyscalculia are studied. T he module addresses how to support students arising from these differences through evidence informed approaches. In addition, it will enable the participant to critically appraise the implications of numeracy in the development of a board and balanced curriculum, to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of adaptive reasoning and to critically reflect on factors which influence productive disposition with regard to numeracy. Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection and reflexion in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the theoretical nature of numeracy and dyscalculia |
15 | Elective |
2 |
Supporting Students with AutismThis module aims to develop awareness, knowledge , skills and understanding required for supporting learners with a diagnosis of autism, against the backdrop of current policy. It explores the concept of autism as varied and experiential, informed by current research and community perspectives. Guided by the neurodiversity affirmative paradigm, this module aims to equip students with the knowledge to create an inclusive environment and facilitate a flexible approach to teaching and learning. Best-practice approaches and evidence-based supports will be examined. Over the course of the module, learners will develop skills of self-reflection in applying new understanding, knowledge, and skills to practice . Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate theoretical understandings of Autism and their implications for policy and practice. |
15 | Elective |
Recommended Study Hours per week
Examination and Assessment
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
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Entry Requirements
This programme is aimed at a wide range of graduates working in educational settings (e.g. primary, post-primary, higher education, adult and further education). Applicants will normally possess a Level 8 Undergraduate Degree (H2.2 or above) in Education or equivalent.
Careers
This programme is suitable for candidates who wish to progress further in their professional sector (education) including those who are already in employment. It aims to enhance professional knowledge, and it is designed to provide a student-centred, accessible, flexible, coherent framework for the personal, professional and academic development of participants.
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