Special Education, Motor and Cognitive Domain

Introduction

The aim of the Masters in Special Education is to train specialists in Special Education (SE) that, from an Inclusive Education perspective, can develop their action in the school environment and other educational/professional settings. 

Through the deepening of conceptual, instrumental, interpersonal and systemic competences, this course aims to promote: 

• the understanding of inclusive education and recognition of its relevance in the context of equal rights policies and opportunities for ALL; 
• the acquisition of an in-depth knowledge of the school organization and curriculum; 
• the acquisition of an in-depth knowledge on developmental disorders and environmental factors that affect cognitive, motor and learning ability; 
• the development of skills that are necessary to identify special educational needs, physical disabilities and social disadvantages; 
• the development and training of skills required to implement the appropriate educational measures for students with SEN in accordance with the student’s developmental level and environmental systems in which the individual is integrated; 
• the acquisition of skills to support and assist teachers and other educational agents in educational projects and differentiation of tasks to teach/work with pupils with SEN; 
• the development of research skills and abilities to interpret research data and acknowledge its relevance to the theory and practice in the field of SE.

This Master was positively evaluated by the portugueses Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) and accredited for a period of 6 years.

Professional Careers

The Masters in Special Education, Cognitive and Motor Domain is designed for people who hold, or seek to hold, positions of responsibility for the education of students who experience special difficulties in learning: early childhood Educators, primary and secondary school teachers, and technicians working on the educational response to children and youth with special educational needs (SEN)

Under the law, and in accordance with the provisions of Art. 56, paragraph a), of Decree-Law No. 15/2007, of 19 January, the 1st year of the course confers a post-graduate diploma that certifies that the teacher has a level of specialized training in Special Education which, after recognition by the Scientific and Pedagogical Council for Professional Teacher Training, gives access to specialized functions in this domain for professionals with a minimum of five years of previous teaching experience.

The completion of studies, which involves a dissertation/or an intervention project/or an intership and corresponds to a Masters degree, requires an in-depth level of knowledge and enhances capacities for independent research or professional practice. Under the provisions of Article 54, of Decree-Law No. 15/ 2007, of 19 January, the Masters diploma gives the possibility of career promotion and reduction of service time.