Special Education - Sligo St. Angela's

Programme Overview
In recent years phenomenal changes have occurred with respect to provision for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) within the education system in this country. To respond to developments in the area of special educational needs and inclusive education and to enhance best practice in the schools, the Department of Education and Skills (DES) supports a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Special Education which is intended to provide a recognised Postgraduate qualification for Special Education Teachers (SET), teachers in special schools and special classes and other relevant educational settings.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Special Education at St. Angela's College is delivered by the team in the Centre for Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Diversity within the School of Education, and is designed for teachers who are eligible to apply under the terms of the DES. The programme leads to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Special Education and is accredited by Atlantic Technological University. The course is funded by the DES.

Work Placement
Three day placement each week of block 2.

Substitution:
Substitution will be allowed while teachers are attending the block release element of the Programme - please review the circular for further information.

Programme Outline
The programme will run from September 2023 until May 2024 and involves 2 block releases from school/centre for a total of 8 weeks over the academic year, 4 Saturdays of face-to-face tuition and distance learning together with supervised work in the teachers own schools/centres. The programme also includes supported on-going study throughout the year using a variety of modes of delivery.

Fifty teachers are accepted onto the programme annually. The award is based on full attendance at course venue, continuous assessment of course-work and assessment of participant's teaching and record keeping in their own school/centre.

The programme structure comprises of five modules including a specialist study module:

- Inclusion: Perspectives and Implications for Practice
- Assessment, Planning and Applications
- Curricular Issues for Special Educational Needs
- Implications of Educational Disability
- Specialist Study

To be eligible, applicants must be graduates and qualified teachers registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Additional Requirements:
Garda Vetting/police clearance is required for this programme.

Closing Date: 24th March 2023 (5pm).

1 year part-time.

Further Education
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Special Education is a progression pathway to a Master of Arts in Special Education also offered at St. Angela's College, Sligo.

Career Opportunities
This specialist qualification enhances graduates to progress in their educational setting. It enables them to effectively meet the needs of students with Special Educational Needs. It provides graduates with the skills necessary to affect whole school collaboration and implement inclusive practice.