Master of Arts in Inclusive Special Education (E-Learning)

In this module, you will critically evaluate the historical and current discourses on disability and special education needs. Through relevant literature and group debate, you will explore the interrelationships between education policy, political frameworks and ideological perspectives on SEND and inclusive practice in our educational settings. You will be encouraged to think critically about disability rights and equality of opportunity in the context of marginalised and vulnerable pupils.

You will complete a literature that critically debates how children and young adults with special educational needs and disability have been positioned by social and historical policies, political frameworks and educational practices that impact on their learning achievement.

This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the range of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) experienced by children and young adults, including; dyslexia, autism, specific language difficulties, selective mutism, sensory impairments; multilingual learners with SEND and those using augmented and alternative communication systems.

You will critically examine the latest research and legislation on the education of children and young adults who have a speech, language and communication needs, and evaluate the range of educational and therapeutic interventions that are currently being used in schools and settings. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the links between research and educational practice by undertaking a case study in your workplace.

The aim of this module is to critically examine the concepts of inclusion in education and how special educational needs and disability is positioned within different establishments and phases of education. You will debate the social and educational implications for different types of inclusive provision and critically examine policies and practices that promote partnership with families and multiagency collaboration. Other topics will include teachers and TA/LSAs working together; partnership with parents; evaluating educational and therapeutic interventions; personalising learning; equality and diversity; the role of the SENCO and inclusive leadership; transitions from Early Years through to FE; SEND legislation; and the political agenda.

This module has been designed for those of you who wish to gain accreditation and specialist knowledge in the education of children and adults on the autism spectrum.

Through critical debate, theory and research, the module aims to explore current understanding about the nature of autism and the spectrum of associated disorders, and critically evaluate how this has been applied to educational provision and practices.

The module will encourage you to gain insights into the diversity of autistic people’s experiences, and will be led by experts with personal, practitioner and academic experience of autism.

The Dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to integrate their prior learning from the programme through designing, conducting and reporting an original research project. Students will apply the analytical and conceptual tools and personal skills gained from the previous modules to an in- epth investigation of a specific psychology research question. The final outcome will be the presentation of a research report.