Overview
This course offers a comprehensive focus on contemporary debates within special and inclusive education including local, national and international policies and approaches.
There is growing international impetus to dismantle educational exclusion and to develop equitable and inclusive education systems. In this course we consider the rights of all children to be included in schools and society, by examining barriers to inclusion in terms of environment and within child factors. This includes exploration of the specific needs of children with labels of learning difficulties, intellectual impairment, physical and sensory disabilities, communication impairments, literacy difficulties/dyslexia, autism and SEBD/ADHD to illustrate the challenges encountered in professional practice.
Critical exploration of current theory and research inform consideration of pedagogical approaches as well as the development of effective systems and structures for supporting students in collaboration with teachers, parents/carers and different agencies.
This course is suitable if you are interested in developing your knowledge and understanding of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), working as a teacher or associated professional in mainstream education or specialised settings wishing to extend your skills and practice, an experienced professional, or new to working with children with SEND. It provides high-quality professional development and flexibility for you to explore areas and specialisms that interest you.
You will be supported by:
- friendly tutors with a breadth and depth of knowledge, understanding and skills developed through experience in the field
- interactive and collaborative teaching methods promoting shared enquiry
- individual and group tutorials
- emphasis on formative feedback to support you to successfully complete assessments
- access to extensive study materials from libraries and online sources
- a seminar programme linked to the course which you can access if you live locally
- opportunities to discuss approaches with other experienced practitioners
Key facts
Course details
The taught element of this course is made up of four 30-credit modules, plus a 60-credit dissertation, and can be completed over two years part-time, with an eight-month dissertation. There are PGDip and PGCert exit points.
Assessment
Each 30-credit module is assessed by a 6,000-word reflective essay, research design or literature-based debate, or a presentation accompanied by a 1,000-word commentary or an individual education plan. To complete the masters, you must achieve a pass of 50 on each assignment.
The 15,000-word dissertation is an original piece of work and should be related to one of the selected modules on an approved topic.
Modules
Core
- Debating Special and Inclusive Education
- Researching Special and Inclusive Education
- Dissertation
Optional
- Responding Mindfully to Challenging Behaviour
- Communication and Literacy
- Educating Students on the Autism Spectrum
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result may change for reasons of, for example, research developments or legislation changes. This list is an example of typical modules we offer, not a definitive list.
Careers
This course provides a solid grounding for a career in a diverse range of areas including classroom/learning support, special education, coordinating provision for children with special needs, leadership within special education and policy/administration.
It supports career progression through:
- evaluating effective approaches to supporting disabled children and young people including those with moderate to severe and complex learning difficulties and/or personal, social, emotional and behaviour difficulties
- exploring values and beliefs, policy, legislation, multi-agency working and involvement of families and disabled children and young people
- building confidence in your professional practice skills
- promoting personal development through reflection and critical analysis of your own beliefs and practices
Increasing your academic and research skills will support future doctorate level study including, for example, a Doctorate in education or educational psychology or PhD Special Educational Needs.
Coordinators and inclusion managers who have completed the National Award SEN Coordination can select modules from this programme to advance to a full MA qualification.
Employability and average starting salary
99.5% of postgraduates from the School of Education who were available for employment secured work or further study within six months of graduation. £22,500 was the average starting salary, with the highest being £38,000.*
* Known destinations of full-time home postgraduates 2016/17. Salaries are calculated based on the median of those in full-time paid employment within the UK.
Visit the
Special and Inclusive Education MA
page on the University of Nottingham website for more details!
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