Special Needs Education for Schools
(Master of Education)

Six children sit around a large piece of paper and draw various school-themed things, such as a backpack, scissors, a school bus and more.

Profile

Course type

Postgraduate studies (Master)

Standard Course Duration

4 semesters

Course Start

Winter semester

Language of Instruction

German

Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German C2
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Special Requirements

Special pedagogical internship, taking into account the special needs education and the subject of instruction and a special pedagogical internship of at least four weeks each, must have been completed (compulsory).

Admission

Unrestricted admission

International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

The Master’s degree programme in Special Needs Education for Schools prepares students for the preparatory phase of teacher training at a special school and/or inclusive/integrative school. Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Needs Education can apply for a place on the Master’s degree programme in Special Needs Education for Schools in order learn how to plan and deliver lessons successfully at a special school or in an inclusive/integrative setting. Students expand on specific issues within their two chosen special needs education specialisations. At Leibniz Universität Hannover, the subject of Special Needs Education is offered with content from the following subject areas: education for persons with emotional and social development difficulties (specialisation EusE), education for persons with mental development difficulties (specialisation GE), education for persons with learning difficulties (specialisation learning) and education for the speech impaired.

Students continue to study the teaching subject pursued at the Bachelor’s stage and expand on content in Education Sciences.

Further information on the website of the Leibniz School of Education

Course Content

In addition to the subject-specific, educational and practical skills required for planning and delivering lessons successfully, the special needs education teacher training course places particular emphasis on cooperation with parents or guardians and teachers at other types of school, as well as staff from facilities and institutions outside the school setting.

Course Structure

In the Master’s degree programme, specific issues in the special subject areas are examined in depth. Students select two out of the four special subject areas and expand on their specialist knowledge in these fields in order to apply it in their profession as special needs teachers.

In addition to their chosen subject areas, students expand on the teaching subject from the Bachelor’s stage (Art, Catholic Religious Education, German, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Protestant Religious Education or Social Studies). The part of the course devoted to Education Sciences involves content from general and integrative education for the disabled, special needs psychology, general education and psychology or sociology.

Successful completion of the Master’s degree programme in Special Needs Education for Schools is a requirement for embarking on the preparatory phase of teacher training (teacher training period).

Combinations

Subject combinations for the Bachelor''s degree programme special needs education with the study goals: Master''s programme special needs education for schools and Master''s programme special needs education and rehabilitation science

Recommended Abilities

An interest and enjoyment in working with children and young people with special educational needs
Subject-specific and teaching skills
Excellent social and communication skills
The ability to cooperate and work in a team
The ability to reflect critically on one’s own thoughts and actions

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this degree programme are entitled to embark on the preparatory phase of teacher training at a special school and/or integrative/inclusive school. In addition, graduates may also embark on an academic career, e.g. by pursuing a doctorate.

Former students work at schools and colleges, in continuing education and training. Apart from working in schools, Job opportunities can be in the area of special education work in early intervention, counseling, as well as disability, integration and family support. Depending on the second subject, additional fields of work are also possible.

Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

For master's degree programmes with unrestricted admission, all applicants who fulfil the admission requirements will be admitted a university place. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations: