Special Education

Abstract

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  Profile of the study programme

  This master programme is a university course that facilitates the development of strong research skills and broad diversified knowledge in the field of special education.

  The course is intended for students who already have some experience in special education, or in related disciplines, and who wish to develop, enrich and diversify their perception of the whole field of special education, and the conceptual frameworks and methods of approaching such.

  The course is distinct from the Master of Arts in special education orientation special needs education, which focuses more on special teaching in the school environment. The generalist nature of the training proposed by this master programme will be appreciated by those who wish to explore special education beyond the walls of the classroom and study its deployment in pre-, para- and post-school periods and contexts, and environments outside of the school (community and family).

  The course calls for students to reflect on alterity, difference, disability, normality, life trajectories, educational posture, mediation of knowledge, the creation and organisation of favourable environments to allow any individual struggling with developmental difficulties to develop personal qualities and to integrate into community.

  Fribourg profile
  This master programme is based on a solid scientific tradition that has been established at the University of Fribourg for nearly three-quarters of a century. It is one of the only French-speaking university courses to offer in-depth training and research training in the field of special education in Switzerland and abroad.

  The training offered in the context of this master programme benefits from a dual humanist and scientific tradition. There are ongoing collaborations with the Departments of educational sciences and psychology.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  This degree programme prepares students to become specialists in all of the current issues in special education.

  Student successfully completing the programme will:

  • know the challenges and changes currently affecting special education, and the implications of these developments at national and international levels;
  • have a solid knowledge of the various cross-disciplinary theoretical fields relating to special education and will be able to place the contributions from each of these disciplines (educational sciences, psychology, sociology, etc.);
  • be able to carry out a conceptual analysis and summarise the theoretical knowledge relating to issues in special education.

  He/she will be able to:

  • assess, select and/or create tools for assessment and intervention in the field (adaptation of learning programmes, organisation of the environment, etc.);
  • translate strategic intentions into operational measures respecting professional ethics;
  • develop research scenarios using qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, respecting research ethics (observation, experimentation, investigation, single cases designs, etc.).

  The training is appropriate to careers in both teaching and research:

  • Training and research positions (universities, higher education establishments, research centres);
  • Management in specialised educational institutions;
  • Management in cantonal or federal administrations;
  • Positions with regional or national associations for the protection and representation of people with disabilities.

  The current paradigm of social participation and education for all makes the master in Special Education a degree with very high added value in a professional career path.

  Option Speech-Language Therapy
  The Option Speech-Language Therapy within the Master of Arts in Special Education (study in German only) is intended for candidates witch a degree in speech-language therapy, who would like to deepen their knowledge and gain advanced qualifications in the field of speech-language therapy. The four modules of this programme allow acquiring advanced research and methodology skills as well as diversified (psycho-)linguistic and cognitive knowledge in the field of special education and speech-language therapy from a practical perspective. This master programme includes a dissertation about speech-language therapy issues.
  The condition for admission to this master programme is an academic bachelor's degree with professional qualification in speech-language therapy, which is recognised by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK).

  The Master programme Option Speech-Language Therapy can be taken while employed (part-time studies).

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

Curriculum

Admission

Minor study programmes to be chosen