- Can I join the programme if I do not have a basic degree?
Yes, you may join the programme via the alternative entry route. Please click here to find out more: Alternative Admissions
- Are the classes taught by lecturers from the University of South Wales?
The following modules are co-delivered by lecturers from the University of South Wales:
- SEN/ALN: Contexts and Concepts
- Dyslexia: Theory and Assessment
- Managing and Supporting CAMH and SEBD
- Research Methodology
- What is the difference between the 30-credit and 60-credit Dissertation?
The Master of Arts in Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs (MA SEN/ALN) is a 180-credit programme which includes either the 30-credit Dissertation or the 60-credit Dissertation.
The 30-credit Dissertation has a 7,500 word count. Students who opt to do the 30-credit Dissertation have to complete ALL 5 taught modules.
The 60-credit Dissertation has a 15,000 word count. Students who opt to do the 60-credit Dissertation only need to complete 4 taught modules, including Research Methodology.
- Will the Master’s certificate be awarded by DAS Academy or University of South Wales (UK)?
The MA SEN/ALN is awarded by the University of South Wales. The course, conducted from Singapore, is accredited by the University of South Wales with commendation for quality standards in the UK Quality Assurance Agency’s Higher Education Review (2015).
This course has proven to be a beacon of inclusive educational practices tailored to the Asian context. By merging high-achieving educational environments, bringing together high-quality, evidence-based practices from the East and the West, it has raised the bar for SEN/ALN education in the region and draws students from China, Philippines, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and various other countries.
Read more about the DAS Academy – USW collaboration here.
- What can I do with this Master’s certificate?
Graduates of the programme will be well-equipped for specialist roles in the education and social service sectors. Career paths include, but are not limited to, special education teaching, learning support, educational therapy and inclusive education advocacy. The programme also supports professionals from other industries looking to transition into the SEN field or deepen their ability to support individuals with hidden learning disabilities.
- What options are available if I am unable to complete the full duration of the programme?
The University of South Wales offers two exit awards for students who require an intermission of studies or who wish to withdraw from the Master of Arts for unforeseen reasons:
- Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) (60 credits):
Awarded upon completion of any 2 taught modules, excluding the Research Methodology module. - Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) (120 credits):
Awarded upon completion of any 4 taught modules.
These exit awards ensure that students who are unable to complete the full MA SEN/ALN programme can still receive recognised academic credentials for their completed coursework.
Students who graduate with a PGC or PGD may return to complete the MA SEN/ ALN within 3 years of graduation.
- Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) (60 credits):
- What is the difference between the Postgraduate Diploma and the Specialist Diploma?
A Postgraduate Diploma is a postgraduate qualification usually awarded after a university degree (or via the Alternative Entry Route). The Postgraduate Diploma offered at the DAS Academy is a subset of the Master of Arts in Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs (MA SEN/ALN) and is conferred by the University of South Wales. While the full MA SEN/ALN is made up of 180 credits, the Postgraduate Diploma in SEN/ALN is made up of 120 credits.
The Specialist Diploma in Learning Support for Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) is designed and awarded by the DAS Academy and provides individuals with opportunities to deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge, and to develop specialisations in the area of SpLD. For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Learning Support for Specific Learning Differences, participants have to successfully complete seven modules. There are no credits tagged to each module.