Masters in Language and Communication Impairment in Children PG Certificate/PG Diploma/MSc
Study mode: Part Time by Distance Learning
Duration: PGCert 1 year; PGDip 2 years; MSc 3 years (2 year option also available)
Why choose Language and Communication Impairment in Children at Sheffield?
This programme is for teachers, speech and language therapists and other professionals working with children with language and communication impairments. Studying part-time by distance learning allows students to gain specialist qualifications without leaving their post or obtaining secondment. The multi-disciplinary nature of the course supports the development of best practice for inclusive and special education. Learning opportunities allow students to develop their knowledge and understanding and extend existing skills in working effectively with children with special educational needs.
This programme does NOT provide a professionally accredited qualification in either teaching or speech and language therapy.
An Advanced Certificate programme in Language and Communication Impairment in Children is also available for Learning Support and Teaching Assistants, Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and Instructors, Nursery Nurses and others working in a support role with children with language and communication impairments.
Programme Outline
The course is offered on a part time basis over 12 to 36 months and over the full calendar year.
Students can enroll on the PG Certificate (60 credits), PG Diploma (120 credits) or MSc (180 credits). Students may transfer from one course to the other in the summer of each year.
Aims and Objectives
- To provide the knowledge and understanding for practitioners to develop best practice for inclusive and special education.
- To promote successful collaborative practice for professionals who work in an educational context with children who have speech, language and communication difficulties.
- For students to increase knowledge and understanding of language and communication impairments, consider the consequences for children’s learning and reflect on implications for practice.
- To enable students to engage critically with current theory and research findings in the field of language and communication impairment.
- To provide the methodological and professional skills to evaluate practice and to conduct and report research in the field.
Curriculum
Year One
- Children’s Learning
- Spoken and Written Language
- Language and Communication
- Evidence Based Practice
Year Two
- Research Methods
- Optional modules including:
- Developmental Disorders (a range of topics are available including: specific language impairment, autistic spectrum disorders, learning difficulties, behavioural difficulties, AAC, auditory processing difficulties, dyslexia, adolescence, early years)
- Case Study
- Speech Difficulties
Year Three
- Dissertation examples of recent projects undertaken.
There is also the option of studying for the MSc over 2 years.
Full details of the course programme
Individual Modules can also be studied
Assessment methods
All modules are assessed by written work.
Teaching Methods
- Online course material
- Study weekend attendance with lectures and tutorials
3 study weekends are held each year in September, January and May. Attendance at study weekends is normally compulsory. However, students who are based out of the UK, or who have special circumstances, may be able to be exempted.
Work for the course may take an average of 12 hours a week over the full year.
What our students say
Entry requirements
Applicants to the MSc programme will normally have two years relevant work experience with children and a minimum of an upper second class degree at undergraduate level.
Applicants to the PG Certificate or PG Diploma programmes will normally have two years relevant work experience with children and a first degree or a degree-level professional qualification.
For students who do not have English as a first language, the English language requirement is an IELTS average score of 7 with no component less than 6, or the equivalent.
Fees and Funding
Funding is available for employees of the NHS in Yorkshire and the Humber and East Midlands. Please contact hcs-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk for more details of how to obtain this funding.
The National Scholarship Fund is available for teachers in England in the area of SEN and applicants may be able to obtain funding towards the Language and Communication Impairment in Children programme. Applications close on 25 April 2013. More information is available at:
www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/funding/b00221494/national-scholarship
Funding for international students.
There are scholarships available for some nonUK, nonEU students who are studying either full-time or part-time masters programmes at Sheffield.
For more information go to: http://www.shef.ac.uk/international/enquiry/money/pg and look at information for your country.
Closing Date for applications
The course commences in mid-September of each year.
Applications will usually be considered up until 31st July in each year. Applications received after 31st July may be considered if there are places still available.
How to apply
For more information contact
- Dr Maggie Vance Programme Director, Tel: 0114 2222445
- Ms Kathryn Sharpe Programme Secretary, Tel: 0114 2222402
- Admissions Secretary, Tel: 0114 2222405
University of Sheffield, Dept of Human Communication Sciences, 31 Claremont Crescent
Sheffield, S10 2TA