Special needs education
Special needs education
Providing pupils with needs-based and qualified support
Private special schools and day education centres currently lack sufficient qualified teaching staff. And the demand for specialists trained in special needs education is expected to increase further according to forecasts. There is therefore much to be said in favour of further education in special needs education:
More expertise for day-to-day work,
a generally higher salary
and more options and security in academic appointments.
What is taught in the further education programme in special needs education?
Participants expand their special educational skills so that they can master academic appointments. Three certificate programmes are offered: Two Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and one Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS). Modules and certificate programmes can be taken individually or consecutively (our recommendation):
- Foundations of Special Needs Education (DAS 1): Participants are given an overview of special educational needs. The programme also covers diagnostics and support planning as well as classroom-based support (30 credit points).
- Special needs education and inclusive education (DAS 2): Content covers support for learning difficulties, emotional-social development and specific needs such as autism or complex impairments (30 credit points).
- Inclusive education - specialising in subject-related learning (CAS): teaches inclusive education concepts and curricular principles for subject-related learning in Lower Saxony as well as the didactics and methodology of learning in the natural and social sciences (20 credit points).
University degree
Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) and/or Certificate Diploma of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Start and duration
Start: summer semester or winter semester
DAS I: modules 1-3, in three semesters
DAS II: modules 4-6, in three semesters
CAS I: modules 7 and 8, in two semesters
Many special schools and day education centres in Lower Saxony are run by independent providers. Teachers without special educational qualifications also teach in these centres. There are also social pedagogues or school social workers working there who would like to work as teachers for special needs education in schools in the future. The further education programme is aimed at these target groups in particular, but is also suitable for teaching staff at general and vocational schools who would like to further their education in the area of participation and inclusion.
What is the background?
The further education programme in special needs education closes a qualification gap that exists in particular at independent special needs schools. These schools must provide evidence of qualified teaching staff in order to maintain an adequate school programme. Teachers can use the programme to gain specific qualifications in order to provide pupils with special educational support. By providing evidence of trained staff, independent schools ensure the continued existence of the school type and their teaching provision.
The further education programme was developed by experts from the University of Oldenburg, and most of the teachers also come from the Institute of Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation.
Details on further education
In this further education programme, topics such as inclusion and exclusion, diagnostics and support, prevention and intervention as well as subject-related learning are taught in a research and practice-oriented manner.
Participants acquire application-orientated specialist knowledge in the fields of cross-categorical special education, general and special methodology and didactics as well as support for specific impairments. This provides them with the skills they need to work as a special needs teacher.
Module 1 - Introduction and basics of special needs education and inclusion
- Overview, mission, framework conditions
- Theoretical foundation
- Focal points of support
Module 2 - Fundamentals of special needs education
- Communication and counselling
- Special educational diagnostics
- Support planning
Module 5 - Promotion of emotional-social development (ESE)
- Forms, causes, criteria
- Principles of effective behavioural support
- Specific impairments
You can find more information on the modules of further education in the catalogue of modules (PDF).
The further education comprises three certificate programmes: "Fundamentals of Special Education" and "Special Education and Inclusive Education" conclude with the university certificate "Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)". "Inclusive Education - Focus on Inclusive Learning" concludes with a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS).
The programmes can be taken consecutively or individually. Those who successfully complete both DAS programmes receive the final certificate "Further Education in Special Needs Education". It is also possible to book individual modules. These also conclude with the CAS certificate.
How much time do I need to plan for?
The three programmes comprise a total of eight modules with a total of 80 credit points. Each module is expected to take around 300 hours to complete. The programme is mainly taught online and with flexible time management. One or two compact workshops per module take place on Fridays and Saturdays on site at the University of Oldenburg.
How is learning done?
The programme is based on blended learning. Online self-study phases alternate with web seminars, case-based group work and a few compact attendance phases. The flexible structure means that further education can be customised and combined with family and academic appointments. During the self-study phase, participants have access to the study material, current research articles and an online learning platform (C3LLO) specially set up for the programme. Group work is also possible via this platform. The attendance phases and web seminars are designed to be interactive and practical.
Module costs
The costs depend on the individual module selection: The fee per module is 990 euros. There are no further ongoing or additional costs for examinations or similar.
