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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Postgraduate programmes in Autism Studies
Deadline for applications for 2011/2012 is 31st July 2012.
Programme Options
- Postgraduate Certificate in Autism Studies
- Postgraduate Diploma in Autism Studies
- MA in Autism Studies
All three programmes can be completed either as a campus based programme or by distance learning. Full-time (FT) students complete the course in 1 year; Part-time (PT) students in two years. Part-time distance learning students will have some flexibility as to which modules they take in each year.
Fees
The fees for 2011/2012 can be found on the University Student Finance webpages. These will be updated for 2012/2013 when the fee structure has been finalised.
In addition students are required to have broadband internet access, a web camera and will need to buy a small number of books and to meet their own dissertation expenses. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses where needed. Overseas distance learning students may also be required to pay an additional fee towards the residential workshop.
Required attendance at Canterbury
If completing the course on campus, then students will be required to attend the Tizard Centre for a workshop (usually two days part-time and 4 days full-time) once a month with seven workshops in the year. The workshops are shared with the intellectual and developmental disabiilty students (workshop dates for 2012/2013 will be made available as soon as they have been set). The detailed timetable for the first workshop (usually the last week of September) will be sent to new students prior to starting the course.
Distance learning students will be required to attend for the first workshop and also will attend a one week residential workshop during the last week of April in Canterbury (it is hoped that in future years we will be able to hold these workshops at a venue in Singapore or Australia). Students will also need to attend either the Canterbury Campus or another authorised centre for exams at the beginning of May.
To complete the PG Certificate option, students should expect to spend an average of 1 day a week studying for each of the 4 academic modules. If studying part-time you do two modules in Year 1 and 2 modules plus a 6000 word essay in Year 2.
Course components
All students complete the academic modules in:
- Research Methods (students following the distance learning routes can opt out of the inferential statistical analysis sessions and complete non-empirical assignments)
- Service Issues
- Behavioural Analysis and Intervention
- Social Psychology of Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Extended essay (6000 words requiring integration of material from the academic modules)
PG Diploma students complete a 10,000 word dissertation OR a case study and intervention project.
MA students complete a 20,000 word dissertation OR a 10,000 dissertation plus the case study and intervention project.
Please note: on the Distance Learning Programmes, dissertations will normally be non-empirical. Campus based students have the choice of whether to do an empirical or non-empirical dissertation. Further information on the content of the existing academic modules which will also be accessed by students on the Autism Studies programmes can be found at http://www.kent.ac.uk/tizard/courses/postgraduate.html. The Social Psychology of Autism module will cover the following topics:
- Definitions of intellectual and developmental disabilities with particular emphasis on autism
- Epidemiology of autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Causes of autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (including social class/race/gender issues)
- Theories of autism
- Sensory issues in autism
- The research basis for intervention and early intervention in autism
- Approaches to supporting people with ASD:
- Early intervention
- Transition.
- Communication
- Creating a helpful environment (covering SPELL, TEACCH and other frameworks and approaches)
- Effects on the family
- Social relationships and social networks
- Sexuality (attitudes of staff, issues of abuse and offending)
- Vulnerabilities (to physical and sexual abuse, to exploitation, to wrongful conviction; bereavement)
- Mental health and autism
Further information of the campus based programmes. Please note that distance learning students will follow essentially the same structure in terms of deadlines and covering content.
Teaching methods
Modules will be taught via a mixture of web-based texts, recommended reading, guided study, campus-based teaching, video resources and online discussions. Moodle will be used as the virtual learning environment. Students will be provided with substantial reading material but will also be expected to pursue their own reading through journals (mostly available online or via document delivery) and books (through Kent library and local libraries).
Campus-based students will have regular support during workshops and by e-mail from their dissertation supervisor/tutor. All distance learning students will have an assigned dissertation supervisor and/or tutor who will provide them with support by e-mail, via online discussion and via SKYPE or other video-conferencing software. Distance learning students can also meet their tutor in person if they live within travelling distance.
Progression
It will be possible to progress from PGCert to a higher level qualification and to swap between distance learning and campus based options. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Autism Studies will be able to apply for progression to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, subject to meeting the other requirements for the Analysis and Intervention options (satisfactory interview, service reference and one year’s experience with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities).
Admission requirements
Students are expected to have a first degree (equivalent to a lower second class degree (2:2) or higher), ideally in a social science relevant discipline. However, we will consider other qualifications on a case by case basis. Experience of having worked with people with autism is an advantage but is not essential.
For non-UK based students, evidence of ability to read, understand, write and speak English will be required.
Two references are required, at least one of which should be an academic reference. Students who completed their first degree a long time ago should contact us for advice.
To Apply
You can use the university online application system to apply.
For further information please contact:
T: +44 (0)1227 827373
E: tizard-recruitment@kent.ac.uk
www.kent.ac.uk/tizard