Autism - MA

What Makes This Course So Special?

The MA Autism was established at the University of Wales, Newport thirteen years ago and has run continuously ever since. It is the only Master’s Degree in Autism available in Wales and as such attracts students from all over South Wales and the west of England. European and international students regularly choose Newport and currently Greece, Malta, the USA, India and Pakistan are all represented. A course at this level with international standing has to have resources to match and the library houses the best collection of books and journals on Autism in Wales.

Studying at Newport can provide you with a top class Masters Degree on one of the best campuses in Wales, delivered by experts and supported by tutors who care about your success.

Each module is delivered by a multi-professional team of experts. Small group sizes in lectures and seminars encourage an open and frank exchange of views.

Course Intro

This course is for you if you are a professional working in the field of social care, education, health or the third sector, who has contact with children or adults on the Autism Spectrum. The course is also available to parents or carers who wish to further their knowledge and understanding at Masters level.

The course has a committed team of professionals who are happy to come in and share their expertise with students. This is complemented by workshops, group discussion and student led seminars. The varied teaching approaches encourage students to engage in discussions, exchange views and share expertise.

Your study is supported by our library which benefits from the best collection of books and journals on Autism in Wales and is staffed by experienced and friendly professionals.

What you study

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Description and Definitions
This module is intended to challenge you to explore new ways of understanding the autism spectrum (AS) across the lifespan. This is done through the evaluation of theoretical definitions and classifications but also from the personal testimonies of individuals on the spectrum. It will offer you the opportunity to build upon your understanding of the different ways people with a spectrum disorder experience the world around them and how this is associated with differences in thinking and learning. As well as considering the Triad of Impairments, there will be a focus upon the development of communication skills and sensory perceptual differences and their potential relationship with challenging behaviour.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessment & Person Centred Planning
During this module you will consider what constitutes good practice in terms of assessing and planning positive personalised support for children and adults on the autism spectrum. It will offer you the opportunity to critically review a range of assessment tools and methods in terms of their reliability and validity and critically consider the role assessment plays in your own work setting when planning effective and positive support for living and learning. The module considers both inter professional and inter agency working as well as partnership working with the individual on the spectrum and/or their family and carers as part of the process of assessment and planning.

Autism Spectrum: Supporting the individual
This module offers you the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of a range of strategies that can be used to support children and adults with a spectrum disorder and to consider these in the light of their own professional practice. A variety of strategies and interventions will be identified and critically reviewed in light of their efficacy and evaluated in terms of their effectiveness.
In addition you will review the variety of factors that influence the implementation of personalised provision and in particular how families are supported. There will be a particular focus upon identifying strategies that enhance communication and low arousal environments to improve the living and learning experiences of the individual with a spectrum disorder.

In addition to the three Autism modules you will take the compulsory Research Methodology module.

Dissertation
To complete the full MA you will present a 17,000 word research dissertation and a 3,000 word research dissemination plan.

A programme specification is available for this course.

Where Next?

A Masters degree is a major boost to a career and, whatever your profession, experience has shown us that success on the course leads to enhanced employment prospects. Parents of children diagnosed with an ASD feel empowered both from their success and the increased insight gained.

Interview Required

Yes. After you have made your application an informal interview will be required.
Assessment

Assessment

Each module is assessed via a written assignment of 5,000 words, which usually takes the form of an essay. Each course member is supported by a tutor who provides individual tutorials and guidance during the assignment writing process.

Student Soundbite

“I had worked within the field of autism for over five years but my understanding of and approach to the work I do has greatly improved through studying this course. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to anyone working with individuals with ASD.”

Experiences Gained

Student Successes

Facilities

Teaching Team

Course Costs

Full time students are offered the opportunity to secure a voluntary placement during their years study. Two students last academic year have gone on to secure paid employment following their placement with an organisation.
Part- time students have been able to arrange in their own time visits to each others’ places of work to share good practice ideas.

A number of students have gone on to present at national and international conferences on an aspect of AS. Other students have secured promotion and or employment in organisations that specifically support or educate individuals on the spectrum.

We are able to arrange to consult and use some of the resources available at the Dyscovery centre e.g. standardised assessment tools.

Pathway leader – Sally Scott-Roberts
Visiting lecturers include professionals from:
• the local NHS Trust specialist AS team
• The National Autism Association ( Wales)
• Autism Cymru.

Mandatory Items

Costs

Other

£60-70 (for Specialist materials and learning resources including books, journals and other resources – optional)

Full-time and part-time students choosing modules which have a placement component as part of the assessment process will need to provide evidence of a current CRB check (or its equivalent if an EU or international student)
• Full-time students wishing to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Internship Scheme will need to provide evidence of a current CRB check (or its equivalent if an EU or international student)
Where there is a requirement for students to undergo a CRB check, this will cost £ £36.00.
Relevant up-to-date instructions will be sent out as part of the admissions process.

Year of Entry

September 2012

Course Code

N/A

Duration

Most students following the part-time programme spend 2 years on the taught modules (typically one evening per week) and undertake their dissertation in their third year. Participants are, however, allowed to take a maximum of 5 years to complete the whole programme. Full-time students are able to complete the whole programme within 12 months, although some take a little longer to finish writing up their dissertation.

The part-time mode is delivered only in the evenings to accommodate the work patterns of professionals and parents. One 3 hour session per week from Autumn to Easter is used to deliver 2 modules per year. The full-time course has a mixture of day and evening sessions.