MA/MS in Special Education

General Description: Objective(s) of a study programme: To prepare highly qualified specialists (special pedagogues, speech therapists) who will be able to critically evaluate and independently conduct research in the areas of educational environment, diversity of students’ individual and special education needs, strive to achieve the highest quality of inclusive education, provide innovative and scientifically based solutions for the enhancement of inclusive education and educational support services while realizing their responsibility for the impact of their performance on the accessibility of education and well-being of students, as well as taking into account the context of national and international educational policies and the latest results of scientific research. Learning outcomes: Generic competencies developed: Communication and cooperation in interdisciplinary teams. Leadership, responsibility and professional ethics in managing and solving complex interdisciplinary and inter-institutional educational support problems, empowering and motivating the school community to create an inclusive and open to diversity school. Subject specific competencies developed: Application of interdisciplinary knowledge in professional activities of a special pedagogue and / or speech therapist in different professional contexts. Independent research in the areas of meeting special educational needs, educational support, inclusive education. Solution of specific problems related to student access to education, educational support system, etc. Consulation in solving complex issues of meeting special educational needs. Expert evaluation in the areas of accessability to education, effectiveness of educational support system, quality of inclusive education. Improvment of the educational support systems by implementing innovative evidence-based solutions, and dissemination of innovations to professional and non-professional communities. Learning outcomes: Master of Special Education study program will be able to conduct comprehensive scientific research, apply evidence-based innovative strategies in the assessment of children's special educational needs, provide educational support and progress monitoring, create an educational environment conducive to student diversity, and cooperate in the work of interdisciplinary teams. Master of Special and Inclusive Education Coordination specialisation will be able to organize an interdisciplinary assessment of students special educational needs, coordinate educational support at institutional and inter-institutional levels, expertly evaluate and improve the quality of educational support system, implement innovative evidence-based solutions to enhance the effectiveness of education; collaborate and lead an interdisciplinary educational support team. Master of Speech Therapy specialisation will be able to apply research-based assessment of speech, language and communication; identify special educational needs arising from speech, language and communication disorders; organize and provide speech therapy support services, consult and expertly evaluate the quality of speech therapists' professional activities, implement evidence-based speech therapy innovations. Activities of teaching and learning: Teaching and learning activities are focused on the student and his interaction with the teacher. Active learning methods are aimed at the promotion of the student's critical, conceptual, creative and constructive thinking, independent learning, and enhancement of problem-solving skills: document and research report analysis, case studies, action research, modeling, visualization, critical reflection, learning through teamwork, individual and/or group projects, discussion, etc. A form of blended learning is possible. Methods of assessment of learning achievements: Students' achievements and progress are assessed throughout the semester, combining formal (cumulative) and informal (formative) assessment methods. The studies of each subject end with an exam or an evaluation of the student's independently completed work (case study, project, etc.). The final grade consists of the components of the cumulative assessment defined in the subject description. The most common methods of cumulative assessment are: case studies, exam, presentation of group research activity, presentation of scientific literature review, critical reflection, self and peer assessment. Framework: Study subjects (modules), practical training: The study program consists of: the main subjects of the field of study (60 credits) are designed to help students acquire interdisciplinary competences - philosophy of inclusive education, psychosociology of disability, social research methodology, etc.; the subjects for studies of specializations (Speech Therapy or Special and Inclusive Education Coordination) (30 credits) are aimed at the enhancement competences of speech therapy or special pedagogy. Specialisations: Coordination of Special and Inclusive Education. The in-depth study program is intended to enhance the competences of a special pedagogue, acquired in the first-cycle of special education and speech therapy studies, and to acquire a higher level of research competences and more comprehensive level of special pedagogue competencies that will enable to effectively coordinate interdisciplinary and interinstitutional educational support and to implement the inclusive education. Speech Therapy. The speech therapy specialization study program is intended to enhance the competences of the speech therapist acquired in the first-cycle special pedagogy and speech therapy studies; attain a higher level of scientific research competences and a more comprehensive level of professional (speech therapy) competences in the areas of methodological and consulting assistance. Optional courses: It is possible to deepen the acquired knowledge by choosing a specialization. Distinctive features of a study programme: Inquiry based learning and problem-based learning methodology. Access to professional activity or further study: Access to professional activity: Specialization Speech Therapy. A graduate can work as a speech therapist and/or special pedagogue in Pedagogical and Psychological Services, Child Welfare Commissions, other institutions belonging to the education and (with additional conditions) health protection system; improve qualifications in national and international projects and internships. Specialization Coordination of Special and Inclusive Education. A graduate can coordinate educational support at institutional and inter-institutional levels, work as a special pedagogue in the Commission of Child Welfare or Pedagogical and Psychological Services, other educational institutions; work in national and international projects as well as serve as their chairperson, participate in national and foreign internship programmes that lead to further enhancement of qualifications Access to further study: Doctoral studies in education field