Objectives
The specialisation is designed to provide experienced educators or related professionals with in-depth knowledge of a range of local and global perspectives and practices associated with the education of children and young people with special needs. It aims to provide graduates of the specialisation with skills and knowledge to design programs to improve learning and social outcomes for children and young people with special needs and to evaluate the outcomes of such programs. The specialisation also provides opportunities to develop skills to successfully work in collaboration with parents of children who have a disability and other professionals in the field.Specialisation is available in the areas of learning difficulties, gifted education, behaviour problems, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairment, autism, and psychological perspectives.Learning outcomesIt is expected that graduates from this specialisation will be able to: * understand the philosophical, sociological, and psychological perspectives of exceptionality; * critically examine the current literature relating to learning and exceptionality; * develop an increased ability to apply current knowledge in their practice as special educators or in other professions; * provide curriculum, pedagogical, and policy leadership in special education; * collaborate and consult with parents and professionals to provide services to individuals with special needs; * evaluate educational services in regard to their ability to provide appropriate supports for individuals with special needs; and * critically examine and debate issues relating to special needs.
Course description
This articulated program is professionally designed to extend the competence of teachers to educate and support students with special educational needs in a range of educational settings.
The Master of Education (Special Education) is also open to members of other professions who wish to expand their expertise into the area of special education, but is not designed to be an initial preparation for teaching.
The Masters provides for the in-depth study of matters of crucial importance for the education of children needing special education, including curriculum and systems and issues relating to early development.
Specialisation is available in the areas of learning difficulties, gifted education, behaviour problems, employment issues, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, hearing impairment, vision impairment, autism, and psychological perspectives.
Students undertaking the Special Education stream in the Graduate Certificate in Education select three topics from the Masters program.
An Orientation and Mobility stream is also available in the Graduate Certificate in Education for people working, or seeking work in orientation and mobility training, or who have a general interest in this area. It will enable graduates to facilitate rehabilitation for people who are blind and vision impaired, reorientate them to their environments and teach them skills to increase their quality of life and carry out practical everyday living skills independently. The program includes a 10-week practicum.
The Master of Education is a 72-unit flexible coursework program that allows students to create individual programs to suit their interests and thus shape their own educational pathways.
Students can choose to apply for admission for either the generic MEd or the following optional specialisation.
THE MASTER OF EDUCATION AND RELATED SPECIALISATIONS DO NOT QUALIFY GRADUATES FOR TEACHER REGISTRATION.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Master of Education (Special Education) a student must complete 72 units, including approved credit, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to one of the following patterns:
36 units equivalent to a fourth year of study in the field of special education coursework topics (credit for an approved four year degree or for approved relevant work experience will be granted within this component) and either:
* Option 1: 36 units of coursework topics (credit for an approved graduate certificate in a related field will be granted within this component); or:
* Option 2: 24 units of coursework topics (credit for an approved graduate certificate within a related field will be granted within this component) and a 12-unit coursework project EDSP9012; or:
* Option 3: 18 units of coursework topics (credit for an approved graduate certificate in a related field will be granted within this component) and an 18-unit dissertation EDES9009; or:
* Option 4: 12 units of coursework topics (credit for an approved graduate certificate in a related field will be granted within this component) and a 24-unit research project EDES9019.
The coursework topics are normally selected from the following:
EDES9401
Learning, Development and Educational Practice *
6
EDES9402
Psychology and Instruction *
6
EDES9801
Approaches to Research
6
EDSP9005
Early Development and Exceptionality *
6
EDSP9006
Intellectual Disability *
6
EDSP9007
Theories of Behaviour Management *
6
EDSP9008
Management of Physical and Multiple Disabilities *
6
EDSP9009
Children with Learning Difficulties *
6
EDSP9010
Studies in Vision Impairment 1 *
6
EDSP9011
Studies in Vision Impairment 2 *
6
EDSP9012
Coursework Project in Special Education *
12
EDSP9012B
Coursework Project in Special Education (Part 1)**, and
6
EDSP9012C
Coursework Project in Special Education (Part 2)**
6
EDSP9013
Counselling: Theory and Practice
6
EDSP9014
Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education *
6
EDSP9016
Transition from School to Adult Life
6
EDSP9021
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Theory and Practice *
6
EDSP9023
Directed Study in Special Education *
6
EDSP9024
Special Education: Contemporary Issues *
6
EDSP9025
Intervention for Problems in Literacy *
6
EDSP9026
Programming for Students with Special Needs *
6
EDSP9027
Collaborative Consultation *
6
EDSP9044
Technology and Disability *
6
EDSP9045
Studies in Braille and Practice #
3
EDSP9046
Orientation and Mobility #
3
EDSP9048
Language: Development and Intervention *
6
EDSP9053
Theory of Orientation and Mobility *
6
EDSP9056
Conceptions of Giftedness *
6
EDSP9060
Numeracy, Mathematics and Learning Difficulties *
6
EDSP9061
Understanding Behaviour in Educational Contexts *
6
EDSP9062
Assessment, Planning and Teaching in Behaviour *
6
EDSP9063
Supporting Behaviour Change *
6
*Available in external mode
# These topics must be taken concurrently.
** Students must enrol in Part 1 and Part 2 to complete the requirements of this topic.
