Special Educational Needs - Professional Studies - Sligo St. Angela's

Programme Overview
The programme provides a Postgraduate qualification for all professionals interested in the area of Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The Centre for Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Diversity at St. Angela's College, Sligo has, in recent, years developed a number of online blended-learning options at postgraduate level for all professionals interested in the areas of SEN. There are currently nine modules to choose from in the area of Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs:

- Autism
- Behaviours that Challenge
- Educational Research Methods
- General Learning Disabilities
- Inclusion for Learning
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Specific Learning Difficulties 1 - Communication, Speech and Language Difficulties and Dyslexia
- Specific Learning Difficulties 2 - Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder

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

The aim of the modules is to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development for those interested in and/or working with learners with special educational needs.

Please note you may only choose one module per semester.

Programme Outline
The standalone online blended learning modules involve e-tivities, discussion boards and face-to-face workshops and have a credit weighting of 15 ECTS. Modules are offered regularly over the academic year. All modules are completed within a nine week timeframe.

October 2023 Modules:
Blended learning modules will commence in October 2023. Please note, the workshop is an important (compulsory attendance) element of the modules. The workshop MAY be delivered virtually or MAY be delivered face-to-face dependant on the public health officials guidance and advice from the Government at the time.

Behaviours that Challenge, Inclusion for Learning, Specific Learning Difficulties1 and Literacy modules are due to commence October 2023 (with one Saturday workshop)

Autism, General Learning Disabilities, Numeracy, Specific Learning Difficulties 2 and Educational Research Methods modules are due to commence January 2024 (with one Saturday workshop)

Completion of two modules from the suite of on-line blended learning modules listed above (30 ECTS) = Postgraduate Certificate

Completion of four modules from the suite of on-line blended learning modules listed above (60 ECTS) = Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

- Autism
- Behaviours that Challenge
- Educational Research Methods
- General Learning Disabilities (GLDs)
- Inclusion for Learning
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Specific Learning Difficulties 1 - Communication, Speech and Language Difficulties and Dyslexia (SLD 1)
- Specific Learning Difficulties 2 - Dyscalculia, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (SLD 2)

Please note you may only choose one module per semester.

Level 8 Undergraduate degree or equivalent.

Closing Date: 12th June 2023.

One Year, part-time (PG Certificate), Two years part-time (PG Diploma in Arts). Blended learning.

Further Education
Participants may progress to Masters level on successful completion of three modules which must include the online blended learning module: Educational Research Methods. The exit award will be a Master of Arts in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs.

Career Opportunities
The modules attract a wide range of participants from a variety of settings, including:

Classroom teachers
Graduates who wish to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and are awaiting a place on the programme
Qualified teachers who are seeking full-time employment
Employees within the Health Service Executive who work with learners with Special Educational Needs
Principals, managers and Department Inspectorate
Employees and Managers within Early Childhood Education sector
Classroom assistants (including cuntóirí teanga)
Educational Psychologists
Learning Support Tutors
Speech and Language Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Parents and Family Members involved in the care of learners with special educational needs
Any others involved in the training or educational needs of learners with special educational needs