On this page:
Update on Textbook for SPED805 in 2009
We have now been advised by the Co-Op Bookshop that the text should be available for approximately $125. The text is:
Stein, M., Kinder, D., Silbert, J., & Carnine, D. (2006). Designing effective mathematics instruction: A direct instruction approach (4th ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson.
2009 – Important Information for Online Enrolments
Postgraduate Studies in Special Education
- Some students may need an Application for Special Approval (Waiver (Approval) Form to enrol in a unit or continue studies. This can be downloaded from the Macquarie webpage www.postgrad.mq.edu.au/forms.html and sent to
Attn: Sharyn Gilkes
MUSEC Building X5A,
Macquarie University,
NSW 2109.
- You must download your Unit Outline from the Macquarie University Special Education Centre (MUSEC) website. Unit Outlines will be available from mid February. Please ensure that you download a current Unit Outline. Outlines will also be available from your Blackboard after enrolment. Please note, you will not receive any materials by mail.
- If you are unable to access your Blackboard after the first week of semester, and have consulted IT Help, please contact Natalie Watson at MUSEC on 9850 8708.
- Students do not need to register for classes online.
- Students enrolled in the Masters program can only count either SPED808 or SPED809 towards their qualification.
NSW Institute of Teachers accreditation
Maintaining accreditation at Professional Competence.
Teachers in NSW who have been accredited need to participate in further professional development to maintain accreditation.
Students completing postgraduate courses relevant to their current or future areas of teaching can have this study recognised as meeting their professional development requirements (100 hours over five years).
Teachers need to write to the Institute of Teachers providing details of the courses (course descriptions, unit outlines) to have their study approved for this purpose.
For further information, visit the Institute website at http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au
Information for students
If you are commencing study in first semester you must enrol in SPED802, which is a prerequisite for all other units (except for students enrolling in the Research Methods Certificate). If you are enrolling to commence study in second semester, see the section below.
There is a practicum requirement for all courses except the Research Methods Certificate. Normally there are five days practicum associated with each unit and you need to complete these days as you progress through the course. You may need to arrange leave from a regular job to accommodate your practicum.
We suggest you allocate 8-12 hours per week to study each unit. There is a Blackboard (web) page for each unit where you will be able to download all the materials you need for your study, including video recordings of seminars. If you cannot access the unit web page after the first week of semester, and IT help have been unable to arrange access, please contact Natalie Watson at MUSEC at Natalie.Watson@speced.sed.mq.edu.au or phone 9850 8708.
There are weekly on-campus classes for each unit (see the Timetable) that are open to all students (internal or external). You do not need to register for classes. All classes are held in the MUSEC centre (X5A). Click here to see the timetable.
Unit outlines are available from the MUSEC website. Please ensure that you download a current unit outline. Older outlines are available for information. Click here for information about each unit.
If you have a record of fails or conceded passes, or are enrolling in second semester you may need an Application for Special Approval (Waiver Approval) Form. This is available to download from here.
If you have any questions or problems about enrolment, please contact Sharyn Gilkes by email, or phone 9850 8695.
Advice for students commencing coursework study mid-year
Students enrolling in coursework programs (i.e., Postgraduate Certificates excluding the Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Research Methods and Gifted Education, Postgraduate Diploma, Master) are normally required to include the foundation unit SPED802: Instructional Technology in their first semester of study. Due to resource limitations SPED802 can only be offered in first semester.
In order to assist students who wish to commence their studies in the second half-year, under normal circumstances we are willing to provide a waiver to allow other units to be completed before SPED802. However, two conditions apply to this waiver:
- In order to ensure that you have the essential background knowledge to complete units in your first semester of study, you will be required to purchase the required text for SPED802 [Alberto, P.A. and Troutman, A.C. (2003). Applied behavior analysis for teachers. Upper Saddle River, OH, Prentice-Hall] and read Chapters 1-3 and 6-10. It is suggested you do this as early in the semester as possible. If you have difficulty with this material, you may contact Dr Jennifer Stephenson.
- You must complete SPED802 in your second semester of study. You will only be allowed to enrol in further units if you complete SPED802 in your second semester of study.
If enrolling in the second half-year you will be required to sign a statement indicating that you understand and agree to these conditions.
Conceded Pass Grades for 2004 onward
From 2004 entry into units in the postgraduate coursework program require a clear pass (i.e., final unit grade of at least "C" or "P") in all previously completed SPED units. That is, you will not be granted automatic entry into units if you have conceded passes or failures (i.e., final unit grades of CQ or PC) in previously attempted SPED prefixed units. If you have conceded passes or failing grades on your record (1) you may be allowed to continue at the discretion of the Head of the Centre (or nominee) with a waiver, or, (2) you may be required to reattempt the relevant units until a clear pass is obtained.
Under normal circumstances, continuing students with conceded passes or failing grades in units completed prior to 2004 will be given a waiver to complete additional units. However, continuing students will be required to reattempt any units completed in 2004 or later in which less than a clear pass is obtained.
Research Awards for Areas and Centres of Excellence
Are you interested in pursuing a research degree leading to the degree Doctor of Philosophy in the area of Special Education?
Macquarie University offers Postgraduate Research Awards for Areas and Centres of Excellence
- These awards incorporate the Macquarie University Research Centre Scholarships and the Targeted Research Scholarships
- The Scholarship will be awarded for a maximum of three years
- Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a First Class Bachelor Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate field and be eligible for admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the relevant Area or Centre of Excellence
- Please contact Dr Mark Carter at the Macquarie University Special Education Centre to discuss your area of interest
For full details of the conditions of the Scholarship and the Application Form, please contact:
The application form is also available at
- http://www.mq.edu.au/postgrad/forms.htm