MA/PgDip/PgCert Autism Spectrum
Attendance
Part-time
Part-time – typically one year to certificate, two years to diploma, three years to masters, maximum six years
Each module is taught 5–7.30pm once a week typically over eight to ten weeks. For groups of 15 students or more, it may be possible to deliver the course at your organisation if it is in the local region.
At a glance
About this course
This course is for you if you are a graduate currently involved in working with people who are on the autism spectrum or if you are coming to this course from a personal perspective as an individual with autism, a parent or carer.
The course focuses on how autism is considered in terms of theory, research and practice. You reflect on how autism affects the way in which people experience the world. These experiences are analysed within wider disability debates. You identify and consider the barriers in society that hinder individuals with autism in terms of learning and achieving their goals.
If you are from a professional background the course supports you in developing a range of academic skills, a professional knowledge base and employability skills that link closely to your specialism and career goals.
If you are interested in this course from a personal perspective as an individual with autism, a parent or carer, we support your developing understanding of the autism spectrum.
You study
• how the autism spectrum is conceptualised
• the way that autism impacts on the individual's thinking and learning
• how autism might affect how people experience the world around them.
Assessments can be linked to your own work so you can specialise in a particular age bracket or education or support role.
The course provides a relevant qualification for anyone holding or intending to hold a management position in the field of autism. You reflect on current theory relating to the autism spectrum and evaluate how you might use new learning to develop your own practice.
Associated careers
This course gives you a range of career opportunities in schools and colleges, such as a learning mentor or extended services co-ordinator.
You can also pursue roles working closely with schools, such as education welfare officer or education-related health roles.
There are opportunities in further and higher education for education specialists in a range of student support services.
Many organisations external to education, such as environmental and arts organisations, also employ graduates to work with children, young people or the wider community in specialist educational roles.
This course can help career progression for anyone who holds or is planning to hold a management position in the field of autism. The course is relevant for professionals working in the health and social care professions as well as those in the criminal justice system.
Course content
Modules
The modules you take depend on whether you are pursuing a PgCert, PgDip or MA and whether you are a full-time or part-time student.
Critical reflections on the autism spectrum
This module helps you to develop a clearer understanding of a range of conceptualisations of the autism spectrum. This includes the different ways in which people with the label of autism might experience the world around them, and how the ways in which we think about autism might impact on that experience.
Autism: policy and practice
You reflect on autism in relation to strategy, policy, and legislation locally, nationally and, where relevant, internationally. This helps you to contextualise and critique your personal and professional practice.
Autism, challenging behaviour and communication
The aims of this module are to reflect on how challenging behaviour is conceptualised, experienced and responded to in relation to autism and to consider the role of communication skills within this process.
Preparation for educational enquiry
This module introduces you to the nature and process of practitioner enquiry in preparation for your masters project or dissertation. Your assignment is a pilot study and proposal for your extended enquiry based project or dissertation.
Extended enquiry based project/dissertation
This module is your masters project and requires you to formulate, research and carry out a major piece of enquiry into an aspect of educational leadership. It might be an implementation project or a more traditional research dissertation. The assignment is the project report.
It may be possible for you to choose an alternative module from another course in our professional development programme.
Assessment
Assessment varies between modules but includes a mixture of professional work-based tasks and academic and critical reflection. There are no examinations.
Entry requirements
Typically a degree or equivalent and an interest in the autism spectrum.
If English is not your first language, you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.5 in reading and 6.5 in writing. We may invite you to take part in a face to face or telephone interview to ensure your spoken language skills meet the requirements for working with learners in an educational setting or context.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
Part-time – typically £5,355 for the course
International students
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 for the course
How to apply
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form