MA/ PGCert Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs)

Program Overview

Through flexible learning modules and expert instruction, participants develop critical thinking skills, foster inclusion, and create advocates for breaking down barriers in education. The program offers specialist modules and a dissertation to cater to individual interests and enhance career prospects in various educational roles.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA/PGCert Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs) is a part-time program offered by the University of Birmingham Dubai. It is designed for professionals working in the field of education, including teachers, education advisors, special educational needs coordinators, head teachers, managers of community and charitable organizations, and staff members of Ministries of Education or Health. It emphasizes critical thinking and encourages students to consider disability in different contexts, fostering a broad understanding of disability, culture, and inclusion. The program is flexible, allowing students to personalize their learning and apply their expertise anywhere in the world. It also seeks to create advocates for inclusion and break down barriers.

Outline:

The program consists of two pathways:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs: This is a year-long part-time course taught at the MA level.
It provides the theoretical and practical underpinnings of disability, inclusion, and special education provisions. It is not a teacher certification but can support certified teachers to develop their inclusive practices. Upon completion of the PGCert, students can choose to continue towards their MA Education (Inclusion and Special Educational Needs).
• Masters of Education (MA) in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs: This pathway builds upon the foundation modules of the PGCert.
After completing the foundation modules, students choose from a selection of specialist modules in specific disability areas during their second year. The ability to tailor this MA to specific interests while also providing the foundations of whole school inclusion is a unique and valuable experience.
• Cross-Cultural Issues in Special Education Needs & Disabilities (20 credits): This module supports critical analysis of cross-cultural dimensions of SEND and inclusive education, with particular attention to the context in Dubai.
It examines the potential of ‘interventions’ that have a cross-cultural basis to stimulate inclusive policy and practice.
• Inclusion: Individual & Group Differences (20 credits): This module maps key areas of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and educational placement in relation to different SEND groupings, such as Autism, dyslexia, hearing impairment, MSI, PMLD, SLD, vision impairment.
It also discusses broader inclusion debates, dilemmas, positions, and solutions. Students critically analyze how educational settings are reflecting on SEND provision in light of current governmental direction and changes. Other subjects include policies related to SEND practice and their efficacy, organizational structures in schools, and social systems that impact inclusive education practices.
• Special education needs of students with autism
• Classroom behavior management
• Understanding dyslexia

Dissertation (for MA only):

• Dissertation (60 credits): In the final year of study, students undertake a Master’s Dissertation in an area related to their practice.
They receive research methods training and individualised supervisory support.

Assessment:

The program uses multiple assessments to showcase learning in a meaningful way. These include:

• School improvement plans
• Policy evaluations
• Lesson plans
• Academic writing assignments

Teaching:

• The program is delivered through a combination of evening classes and once-a-month meetings on Saturdays, designed to accommodate working professionals.
• Teaching is delivered through bi-weekly evening classroom and synchronous online lectures alongside intensive teaching weekends.
• Students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with peers and learn from each other.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in the field of education, including:

• Inclusion teachers
• Heads of inclusion
• Special educational needs coordinators
• Education advisors
• Policy analysts
• Researchers

Other:

• The program is accredited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education.
• The UAE is leading the region in inclusive initiatives, increasing the need for experts in disability, inclusion, and special education needs.
• The University of Birmingham has a long history of research and teaching in the area of disability, inclusion, and special needs.
• The program attracts students from around the world, creating a diverse and supportive learning environment.