MA SEN/ALN (Autism)

The autism course explores theory, policy and practice in relation to all aspects of autism as it is currently understood within different contexts. Modular content is designed to provide the opportunity to tailor your postgraduate degree to meet your individual professional or personal needs.

There are two specified modules focused on autism:

• Autism: Contexts and Concepts
  This module examines the development of current theories of autism and explores the implications of these for autistic individuals, families and practitioners. It is designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the sensory perceptual differences of autism and consider the ways in which these may give rise to a different way of being in the world.

• Managing and Supporting Autism
  It will enable you to evaluate the continuum of provision for autistic people in the light of theories of learning and with reference to important models of disability.

In addition to these two modules, you are able to select two or three additional modules from the Professional Learning Programme, for example:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  This module focuses on the causation, presentation and implications of mental health difficulties in children and young people.
  
  
• SEN: Contexts and Concepts
  This module examines practice in SEN/ALN, learning disabilities and inclusive education and critically reflects on the tension between identification of need and the philosophy of inclusion
  
  
• Leading and Managing SEN/ALN
  This module is designed to provide students with a better understanding of theory and practice in relation to the role of SENCo/ALNCo and so respond to the changing landscape of SEN/ALN.

In common with all of the Professional Learning programmes, you must take the core module Research Methodology if you are studying the full Masters course.

A full range of the modules is available from the course leader, Dr Carmel Conn.

Awards are available at Postgraduate Certificate level (after completion of two taught modules); Postgraduate Diploma level (after completion of four taught modules) and the full MA (on completion of a dissertation).

This Autism course runs on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, 5-8pm at Newport City campus.

For part-time students, attendance is one evening a week, 5-8pm for two terms (autumn term and spring term).

Most students following the part-time programme spend 2 years on the taught modules (typically one evening per week) and undertake their dissertation in their third year.

Full-time students are able to complete the whole programme within 12 months.  For most of the time full-time students study alongside part-time students in the evenings. 

However, there are some classes for full time students that take place during the day, including Research Methodology and Critical Thinking.  Full time students can ask to be given an internship during the final semester so that they can learn from observing good practice in a relevant education setting.

Each module is taught during weekly on campus sessions over 10 week terms. Learning takes place in teacher and student-led seminars, group discussions, individual tutorials and through active learning tasks.

Content is delivered in engaging and interactive ways, with clear direction and support provided for critical reading and academic-level writing.

Teaching is delivered by the module leader together with guest speakers

Find out more about our current research into learning disabilities and developmental disorders.

Each module is assessed by an assignment, which may take the form of a 5,000 word written assignment or an alternative practical assessment task.

To complete the full Masters award, you will need to complete a 15,000 word dissertation based on a topic of your choice, though there is the option of completing a shorter dissertation (7,500 words) and studying one more module.

You will be supported by a tutor during the assignment writing process via individual tutorials.