As there have been a  few queries about 'disability studies' type courses, I 
thought this info might be useful.
Please direct any further queries directly to Alan Hurst - tel 01772 892591 
(or email [log in to unmask])
Further info about how to apply and this University in general can be found 
at
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/postgrad/class/educ/profdev.htm
Ian.
*******
Post-Graduate Diploma in Professional Development (Higher Education 
Disability Services)
Two Years Minimum, Part-time
     Course Leader: Professor Alan Hurst BA PGCE MEd PhD
     Mode: Part-time
     Frequency: Annually

     Funding from the HEFC allowed the University to work with several other 
institutions to devise this
     ground-breaking course offering specialist modules, accreditation, 
training, qualifications, and
     professional recognition for people working with disabled students in 
higher education. Recent
     developments in educational policy and also national 
anti-discrimination legislation should mean
     that all providers of higher education give more attention to 
disability issues and the quality of
     services provided.

     This course is aimed at those with some experience of this work and who 
wish to gain appropriate
     recognition for their efforts. For some who complete the course 
successfully, it could lead to further
     study for a higher degree, either at the University of Central 
Lancashire or elsewhere.

     Admissions Criteria

     Applicants will normally have graduate status or equivalent and be 
employed already in a post which
     involves meeting disabled students. Exceptionally, those without the 
necessary qualifications at this
     level can be considered for entry provided that they can demonstrate 
substantial, relevant
     background and experience and the ability to benefit from the course.

     Course Content

     The course consists of six modules:

          higher education and disability - an introduction and overview
          disability and society
          disabled students in higher education
          disabled students in the context of national and institutional 
policies and provision
          developing professional, managerial, and interpersonal skills
          dissertation/project

     It is anticipated that all applicants will be able to claim exemption 
from the introductory module. In
     addition, applicants can seek exemption from up to two further modules 
(not including the
     dissertation/project) on the basis of the accreditation of prior 
learning/experience. Applicants
     seeking exemption on the basis of APEL must submit their claim 
according to standard University
     procedures.

     Each module will be delivered at two residential weekend schools. The 
sessions will provide a
     balance of presentational and interactive methods involving visiting 
speakers, audio-visual
     resources, etc. The teaching will be supplemented by other activities 
negotiated with and approved
     by course tutors and could include study visits to other institutions 
both in the UK and abroad,
     attendance at meetings and conferences, etc. In addition students will 
be allocated to a mentor who
     will be an experienced practitioner ideally based in an institution 
near to the course members so
     that advice and support is readily available especially in relation to 
assessment tasks.

     Assessment

     Assessment will be undertaken using a variety of approaches. Each 
module carries with it the
     requirement for assignments of 5,000 words except for the 
dissertation/project which will be 15,000
     to 20,000 words.

     Additional Awards

     A number of associated awards are available for those who are unable to 
complete the course.
     These are the University Advanced Certificate in Professional 
Development and the University
     Diploma in Professional Development.




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