Advanced Certificate Language and Communication Impairment in Children

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(Undergraduate Level Study)

Study mode: Part Time by Distance Learning

Duration: 1 year

This is a 60 credit course offered at undergraduate intermediate level (I level) (QCA level 5).

Who is the course for?

Delivered online, this course is for people who are working in a support role with children with special educational needs in the UK and world-wide, and who do not have a prior academic background, including:

Teaching Assistants
Learning Support Assistants
Speech and Language Therapy Assistants
Nursery Nurses
Other people working with children with language and communication impairments in educational settings.

The programme provides students with the opportunity to develop knowledge of speech, language and communication in typically developing children, and in children with a range of special educational needs. The impact of language and communication difficulties on children´s learning is explored, and implications for educational practice considered.

This course may be suitable for you if you are interested in becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, going on to train as a teacher or speech and language therapist, or just wanting to know more about how you can support the children that you work with.

Although there is open access to this course, with no requirements of formal academic qualifications, applicants should be aware that it is delivered at level 5 of the QCA framework. As such, the course involves reading academic text-books and journal articles and the assignments will require the development of student´s academic writing skills. Support for the development of these skills is provided by the University tutors.

Potential applicants who have a degree-level qualification would be eligible to apply for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Language and Communication Impairment in Children.

Programme Outline

Provide a professional development course at foundation level for people working in the field of language and communication impairment in children, who may not have a professional qualification or a background in higher education or the traditional entry requirements for postgraduate study.
Develop knowledge and understanding of typical development in the area of speech, language and communication and of learning.
Develop knowledge and understanding of speech, language and communication needs, to consider the consequences for children’s learning, and to reflect on the implications for practice.
Facilitate understanding of issues relating to collaborative practice amongst those working with children with language and communication problems.
Create an access route for applicants with non-standard entry qualifications to progress to M-level study.

Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits. More detailed information about the content of modules is available by clicking the link in the Downloads box.

Students will take four 15 credit modules:

Speech, Language and Communication Development
Cognitive Development and Learning
Speech, Language and Communication Needs
Working with children with Speech Language and Communication Needs

How will I learn?

Your course material will be delivered online. Most essential reading material will be available electronically, and a small number of key text-books are also used. There will be a range of online activities, such as discussion forums, to support you in developing your ideas. You will have access to the University of Sheffield library e-resources and this includes many journals available in electronic form, and some books. Associate membership with more local University libraries can be arranged. You will receive ongoing support online, via email and phone from University of Sheffield tutors.
The online course material is supplemented by attendance at a study day three times during the course of the year. These will be held in Sheffield, usually in September, January & May. Attendance at study days is normally compulsory. However, students who are based out of the UK, or who have special circumstances, may be able to be exempted.

Your work for the course may take an average of 12 hours a week over the year. It is our experience that students who are taking another course in addition to LACIC find themselves over-committed.

How will I be assessed?

All modules are assessed by written work. Support will be given to students who do not have much previous experience of academic writing.

What our students say

Click here to read what our students say about our courses

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants will normally:

Have two years relevant work experience with children with special educational needs.
Show a commitment to professional development through attendance at relevant courses and previous work-based study.

It is essential that all applicants have easy access to a personal computer and to the internet via broadband and be computer literate.
Applicants should also be prepared to engage with university-level work.

On completion of the Advanced Certificate students who wish to study further may be considered for entry to the Post-Graduate Certificate Language and Communication Impairment in Children.

Information on English Language requirements for study at the University of Sheffield, for those for whom English is not their first or home language.

How much will it cost?

More information about fees is available here

Additional costs to consider are: travel to Sheffield for study days 3 times a year, overnight accommodation if you live further afield, text books, printing out of online material.

Many students are successful in obtaining full or part funding from their employer.
Other sources of funding that we are aware of are available for employees of the Yorkshire and South Humber SHA and East Midlands SHA. Please contact us for more information about how to apply for this funding.

The Department of Education are offering scholarships for SEN support staff who already have a level 3 qualification see:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/careers/traininganddevelopment/funding/b00208137/sen-support-scholarship
Closing date: 17th May 2012

How do I Apply?

The course commences in mid-September of each year.
Applications will usually be considered up until 31st July in each year.
Applications received after 31st July may be considered if there are places still available.

An application form can be downloaded from the Downloads box at the right of this page.

Further Information about the courses is available from:

Kathryn Sharpe LACIC Secretary (0114) 222 2402
Maggie Vance Programme Director (0114) 222 2445
Admissions Secretary, Tel: 0114 2222405