Universität Fribourg Course offerings

Profile of the study programme

The goal of the bachelor programme in special education (60 ECTS credits) is to familiarise students with the foundations of special education.

This familiarisation has two parts:

• Introduction to the theoretical foundations of special education. This part consists of courses in general special education and differential special education. It includes the main models for understanding disability, learning and development theories, the issue of variability and differences in development, as well as the main neurodevelopmental disorders likely to interfere with development;
• Introduction to theories of development. This part consists of various courses enabling students to acquire a basic knowledge of the factors, mechanisms and conditions that influence individual typical and atypical development.

This study programme enables students to enrich, expand and diversify their knowledge by supplementing the knowledge acquired in their major study programme. The programme is chosen freely, but the courses to follow are compulsory.

Fribourg profile
This study programme is part of the wide range of courses in secondary disciplines. It is offered by the University of Fribourg with the objective of promoting conceptual bridges between different fields, linking different areas of knowledge, and addressing real world issues, in terms of more than one discipline. It draws on a wealth of knowledge and scientific work, in a teaching tradition that has been widely developed and recognised at the University of Fribourg.

Learning outcomes and career openings
This study programme enables students to broaden their knowledge and interests with an introduction to the foundations and the basic issues of special education.

Students who successfully complete this study programme will acquire and accumulate sufficient knowledge that they can use later in their training, for instance by joining the master programme in special education.

Studies in special education as a minor study programme are not equivalent to those that lead to a professional diploma in special education and social pedagogy (Bachelor of Arts, single discipline special education, special education and social pedagogy, recognised by professional institutions).