Autism Studies (Distance Learning) PDip, PCert, MA
Entry requirements: A good honours degree, typically in psychology or other relevant social sciences, or comparable professional qualifications and experience. Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities students also need some practical experience in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Outline
These degrees are advanced professional development programmes involving some or all of the following: distance learning; study workshops; service placement visits; and a clinical placement (which can be in your home area). The programmes in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Autism Studies can be completed mainly by distance learning, with a residential workshop in the spring.
Accreditation of Prior Learning and Prior Experiential Learning may be possible on both programmes. You can transfer between programmes and between levels, subject to meeting admission requirements.
Coursework is taught through a mixture of web-based resources, directed reading, videos, lectures, seminars and practical sessions, supported by a number of workshops, where you work with skilled professionals and have the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with fellow students.
Students taking the Pdip or MSc in Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities must work in two different placements during the programme: a service placement based at the Tizard Centre and an individual clinical placement based in a community learning disability team or social care service. If you are taking the Pdip or MSc in Analysis and Intervention in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, you must base your dissertation on empirical research in services.
Programme structure
Course content
Behavioural Analysis and Intervention
Research Methods
Service Issues
Social Psychology of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Social Psychology of Autism Project/dissertation/case study
Assessment
Each of the four taught modules is assessed by a one-hour web-based multiple-choice exam and an extended essay. In addition, the Research Methods module involves two short assignments and one worked problem. Placements are assessed by two 2,000-word service reports and one 4,000-word case report, plus feedback by placement supervisors.
Funding
The Tizard Centre has sustained considerable success in attracting Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) research and CASE studentship funding. SSPSSR also offers a number of scholarships and awards for research students.
Resources and facilities
All teaching takes place at the Tizard Centre.
The Centre has its own video equipment and computer-based systems for analysing video footage. Postgraduate research students have a shared office space with a computer and telephone.