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Education (Special and Inclusive Education)

Coursework

The Master of Education (Special and Inclusive Education) program is designed to help candidates develop the skills, knowledge and values needed to specialise in teaching children with disabilities, or to qualify for appointments as leaders, consultants and resources personnel in special and inclusive education.

The program explores building inclusive educational contexts that support a diverse range of learners. This includes developing specialist knowledge to support learners with disabilities across a range of educational contexts, how to support and promote social behaviour, and design educational programs for students challenged by the demands of education programs. You’ll gain a broad perspective on the issues, practices, legislation and philosophies in special and inclusive education.

Graduates are in high demand in mainstream education for their contributions to school communities, and in specialist education settings – where less than half of all teachers have a formal qualification in special and inclusive education. Graduates are highly skilled in working with colleagues to build their capacity to provide access, participation and progress for all learners in age related educational programs. 

Participants in the program come from a broad range of backgrounds, including early childhood, primary, secondary, and post-secondary education; public and private schools; mainstream, support and specialist school teachers; and allied health and support agencies. The program draws on experiences of educators from across the globe.

The master's program – but not the graduate certificate or graduate diploma – is recognised by the NSW Department of Education as a formal qualification in special and inclusive education, provided that the candidate currently holds a teaching qualification and all the units studied are from the Special and Inclusive Education designation. Evidence of completing professional experience requirements is located within the capstone.

Awards and requirements

Please refer to the course resolutions in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.

Master of Education (Special and Inclusive Education)*

To qualify for the award of Master of Education (Special and Inclusive Education) candidates must complete 48 credit points, including

  • a minimum of 30 credit points from this stream, comprising:
    - 24 credit points of core units of study; 
    - a minimum of 6 credit points of elective units of study; plus
  • a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units of study; and
  • a maximum of 12 credit points of postgraduate Education units of study which can be chosen from any Master of Education program

*Formal Special and Inclusive Education recognition
Candidates who hold a teaching qualification and intend on seeking recognition in Special and Inclusive Education by the New South Wales Department of Education are required to undertake all units of study from the Special and Inclusive Education table.

Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Special and Inclusive Education)

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Special and Inclusive Education) candidates must complete 36 credit points, including:

  • 24 credit points of core units of study;
  • a minimum of 6 credit points of elective units of study; and
  • a maximum of 6 credit points of postgraduate Education units of study which can be chosen from any Master of Education program

Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Special and Inclusive Education)

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Special and Inclusive Education) candidates must complete 24 credit points, including:

  • 12 credit points of core units of study; and
  • 12 credit points of elective units of study

Contacts and further information

Professor David Evans
Phone: 02 9351 8463
Email: david.evans@sydney.edu.au
Website: Sydney School of Education and Social Work