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

Programme Overview
The Master of Arts in Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs offers a level 9 qualification for all professionals interested in Special Educational Needs (SEN). Entry onto this Masters programme is based on successful completion of three modules (45 ECTs) from the suite of SEN Online Blended Learning modules offered as part of the Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs pathway.

Research methods are critical to successful study at MA level and will incorporate problem-solving activities, action research in professional contexts and the opportunity to link theory and practice in general and in terms of the execution of coursework. Participants accepted onto the Masters stage of the programme will have achieved an increased level of competence and confidence within the Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs pathway. They will also be looking forward to choosing the area of study for their MA dissertation and beginning to reflect on possible research methodologies for their dissertation.

The Advanced Research Module (15 ECTs) will provide students with the opportunity to make and implement informed choices regarding professionally relevant areas of research for their dissertation and to do this with the guidance and support of tutors and peers. Lectures will take place online with some face-to-face sessions during September and October. Students use the remainder of the year to carry out research and draft material for their MA Dissertation.

The final dissertation will be a maximum of 20,000 words and the topic chosen by the participant must be related to the Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs pathway.

Who's Suited to This Programme
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 area 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

Requirements and Assessment
This MA follows successful completion (an honours standard) of three modules (45 ECTs) from the suite of SEN Online Blended Learning modules offered as part of the Professional Studies in Special Educational Needs pathway. One of these modules must include the Educational Research Methods module. Programme commences in September 2023 with submission of 20,000 word dissertation in Summer 2024.

Programme Outline
MA Stage Two Modules:
Advanced Research (Core)
Dissertation (Core)

Participants are required to attend a mix of face-to-face sessions and online lectures between September and November with a further workshop scheduled to take place in January. At the end of the series of lectures students will be required to submit a Dissertation Proposal in November. A tutor will be assigned to you and once your proposal has been deemed successful you can progress on to the dissertation stage.

Level 8 Undergraduate Degree (H2.2) or equivalent. For students without the relevant academic qualification but with relevant previous experience, recognition for prior learning can be awarded.

The application process will open soon for September 2023.

1 year.

Career Opportunities
This programme is suitable for candidates who wish to progress further in their professional sector and 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. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own work practices and to link their study to their working environment.