Special Educational Needs - Autism - Sligo St. Angela's

Programme Overview
The programme is offered in partnership with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Special Education Section of the Department of Education (DE) for registered teachers of students with Autism. The programme will develop teachers knowledge, understanding and skills in working with students with Autism.

Students may exit after year one (two modules) and graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Special Educational Needs - Autism NFQ Level 9.

Students completing the full programme (four modules) will graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Special Educational Needs - Autism NFQ Level 9.

Work Placement
Participants of the programme are provided with an opportunity to visit a school setting different from their own for one day to observe the planning and teaching of students with autism.

Programme Outline
Postgraduate Certificate Modules are:

- Understanding Autism: Theoretical Perspectives and Implications for Practice
(Core module)

And

- Engaging Autistic Students: Assessment and Planning for Teaching and Learning

Or

- Autistic Students: Teaching Approaches

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Modules are:
- Understanding Autism: Theoretical Perspectives and Implications for Practice
- Engaging Autistic Students: Assessment and Planning for Teaching and Learning
- Autistic Students: Teaching Approaches
- Supporting Autistic Students with reference to Emotional Regulation and Promotion of Positive Behaviour

Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate level may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma level. Successful completion of two additional modules together with the necessary course work will lead to an award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs (Autism). The practicum is a compulsory component of both the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma.

The programme is for registered teachers who are currently working with students with Autism or will be working with students with Autism for the duration of the Programme in recognised Primary schools including Special schools and recognised Post-Primary schools. The programme is designed specifically to assist teachers in meeting the learning and teaching needs of students with Autism. Potential applicants must therefore have a teaching role in relation to students with Autism.

The application process will soon be open for September 2023.

Two Years for Postgraduate Diploma, One Year for Postgraduate Certificate.

Further Education
Graduates of this programme also have the option to pursue a Master of Arts in Special Educational Needs - Autism 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 autism. It provides graduates with the skills necessary to affect whole school collaboration and implement inclusive practice.