Master in Learning Disabilities

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Diploma in Distance Teaching and Training Master in Distance Teaching and Training Doctor of Philosophy in Gifted Education Master of Science in Gifted Education Diploma in Gifted Education Diploma in Learning Disabilities Diploma in Intellectual Disability Master in Learning Disabilities Master in Intellectual Disability Diploma in Autism Master in Autism PhD in Innovation Management Diploma in Technology Management Master's Degree in Technology Management Diploma in Biotechnology Master in Health Biotechnology Master in Environmental Biotechnology Master in Agricultural Biotechnology PhD in Biotechnology Master in GIS & Remote Sensing Diploma in GIS & Remote Sensing Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources Master of Sciences in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Master of Sciences in Environmental Management Master of Science in Desert Cultivation Technologies & Soilless Culture Master of Science in Water Resources Management Master of Science in Hydrogeology Master in Next-Generation Computing Track 1: AI and Formal Methods for Cybersecurity Track2: AI for Medicine and Health Care Track3: Quantum Technologies Professional Diploma in Waste Management Professional Diploma in Waste Management Course Description

INTRODUCTION
The programme of Learning Disabilities focuses on in-depth learning of theoretical and empirical aspects of learning disabilities, as well as diagnosing and treating them. The goal of the program of learning disabilities is to train experts in research, teaching, assessment and individual therapy, curriculum development, as well as systematic work in the field of learning disabilities. Furthermore, the university is working through this program to serve the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) society by improving scientific research methods and mechanisms as well as providing individuals with the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for the advancement of inputs of education and training in the field of learning disabilities.

OBJECTIVES

To provide high-diploma and master degrees students with advanced knowledge, experience, skills and competencies related to learning disabilities.
To motivate and extend research skills for high-diploma and master's students in their field of interests.
To provide state of the art graduate teaching based on the highest standards for higher education quality assurance at both masters and diploma.
To provide a scientific frame of reference, which contributes scientifically and professionally in an effective manner to the field of learning disabilities.
To provide advanced academic and professional inputs and skills in terms of level and content.
To enhance the effectiveness of the program's role in serving community through preparation of highly qualified educated, knowledgeable, and skillful GCC citizens.
To make available or develop measurement scales and instruments required for diagnostic purposes of learning disabilities.
To carry out world- class research and development consistent with the strategic priorities related to the field.

DEVELOPMENT OF RATIONALE AND PERSPECTIVES

Consider reports of internal, external and international evaluation committees related to the learning disabilities' program.
To continue restructuring and developing plan of studies.
Upgrade specialized courses offered in in the program in terms of quantity and quality.
Keep abreast of contemporary global developments in the field of learning disabilities offered by well-established international universities in this area.
Respond to the needs of the Gulf and Arab community as well as the educational institutions to increase interest in the knowledge, skills and practical aspects demonstrated by the learning disabilities' program.
Provide academic knowledge, research skills and training competencies to create highly qualified competitive graduates in the field.

DEVELOPMENT MECHANISMS

The objectives listed above may be achieved through the following mechanisms:

Support and development of cognitive competencies: This mechanism deals with forming and shaping the theoretical foundations for the field of learning disabilities in terms of concepts, definitions, problems and issues faced in the discipline, in addition to the principles and methods of early identification and diagnosis of individuals with learning disabilities, as well as the neurological and cognitive foundations of the disabilities and their factors and causes.
Support and development of educational competencies: This mechanism includes principles and methods of therapeutic training, program planning, educational plans for individual model-based therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, in addition to identifying the most widely used and credible tests and diagnostic tools in these areas.
Support and development of skills and professional competencies: This mechanism addresses the educational applications of cognitive competencies, principles of applying tools, methods of analysis and interpretation of results and a list of appropriate professional reports.
Support and development of skill and research competencies: This theme deals with training students to detect and identify research issues, select measurement instruments, identify participants for data collection, implement appropriate procedures, monitor and analyze data, present and interpret results. Based on that, some credible and realistic recommendations as well as educational applications related to the field of learning disabilities are made.
Support and development of specialized competencies: This theme deals with the formation, support and development of the use of terminology, tools and mechanisms, knowledge of intra-and inter-groups as well as categories of dual diagnosis addressed by specialists in this field through research and study.

Moreover, to convert competencies included in the categories mentioned above into operational competencies as the following examples illustrate how students will be able to:

Express theoretical and practical knowledge applicable to the field of learning disabilities.
Understand the interconnections and relationships among different dimensions of knowledge in this field.
Employ knowledge, experience and skills gained in addressing realistic field issues.
Use written, spoken and perceived knowledge media.

Work with a group or individually with various categories of people with learning disabilities.
Link theory, research findings and studies to encourage practices and field applications.
Adopt positive professional attitudes and practical application mechanisms.
Assume the responsibilities of the social role assigned to the researchers.
Employ modern technologies in early identification and diagnosis of individuals with learning disabilities.
Plan programs and services that help in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of people with learning disabilities.

Course reference		Course Title	Credit Hours
First year 1^st semester	LRD 522	Introduction to Special Education	2
	LRD 525	Applications of Tests and Scales in Learning and Developmental Disabilities	2
	LRD LD 531	Developmental Learning Disabilities	3
	LRD LD 533	Academic Learning Disabilities	3
	GS ES 520	Introduction of Educational Statistics	2
	GS ES 501	English	0
	GS 500	Islamic Culture	0
Total credits for first semester			12
First year 2^nd semester	LRD LD 526	Diagnosis and Assessment of Learning Disabilities	2
	LRD LD 534	Remedial Approaches for Learning Disabilities	3
	LRD LD 527	Special Teaching Methods for Learning Disabled	2
	LRD LD 538	Contemporary Issues in Learning Disabilities	3
	LRD LD 521	Practicum	2
	GS ES 620	Inferential Statistics and its Applications	2
	GS ES 621	Educational Research Methods	2
	LRD 506	Research Seminar	0
Total credits for 2^nd semester			16
Total credits for 1^st year			28
LRD 680		Master thesis	8
Total credits for Master			36

Courses Description

Shared Courses (learning disabilities, intellectual disability, autism)

LRD 522 Introduction to Special Education 2 Cr. hours

The objective of this course is to provide students with basic knowledge and information related to concepts in special education with special focus on different approaches in understanding, clarifying human behavior, identification, content, strategies, and application of special education, in addition to issues commonly encountered when addressing the needs of diverse students with disabilities. Emphasis will be placed on several issues, for example types of disabilities such as intellectual disability, autism and hearing impairment, as well as the causes and prevention. Furthermore, beliefs and attitudes such as the traditional beliefs, advocacy and support services will be explained and discussed. Students will learn how to form their own views and attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.

LRD 525 Applications of Tests and Scales in Learning and Developmental Disabilities 2 Cr. hours

The objective of this course is to provide students with general knowledge and important skills related to measuring psycho-educational aspects of learning and developmental disabilities. Students will become familiar with test structure and development and their application with intellectually disabled, autistic persons, and learning disabilities persons. The course will also provide students with important skills needed for proper use of educational and psychological tests including introduction to tests, measurement and their types, preparation and design of tests, general principles of measurement, reliability, validity, norms, test application in different aspects, cognitive, performance, as well as social and personality tests. This course will also focus on issues and problems related to the evaluation process of individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism disorders, and learning disabilities persons.

GS ES 520 Introduction of Educational Statistics 2 Cr. hours

This course introduces students to types of variables that are common in education and psychology such as quantitative, qualitative, continuous, discrete, nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. In addition, the course focuses on methods of describing data using frequency tables, graphs, central tendency, variability, and kurtosis indices.

GS ES 620 Inferential Statistics and its Applications 2 Cr. hours

The course provides the basics of statistical estimation, statistical sampling, testing hypotheses, the level of significance, and statistical decision-making including comparisons of the two statistical errors: Type I and Type II errors. In addition, the course covers testing hypotheses of the differences between means, variances, correlations, and proportions for the independent and correlated cases using parametric and nonparametric techniques. SPSS is heavily used in the course.

GS ES 501 English 0 Cr. hours

This mandatory general English course aims to promote students’ skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking by focusing on comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and deriving word meaning from context. This course also teaches students the different writing stages while promoting critical thinking skills and expressing opinions, as well as building communication skills.

In addition, students are taught how to use the English language for other academic purposes including research writing, using charts, graphs and other diagrams to figure out general ideas from texts. Students are also trained to use presentation skills and are given the opportunity to deliver their own full presentations in English during the course of study.

GS 500 Islamic Culture 0 Cr. hours

This course is intended to acquaint students with issues pertaining to Islamic culture and civilization, the challenges of modernity, the requirements of development in the Islamic world and the main currents of modern Islamic thought. The analytical approach of the course enables students to think independently and participate in objective dialogue, with equal emphasis on connecting Islamic principles with issues of our modern age, and to enhance interactions between the requirements of Islamic culture and those of modernity in shaping the minds of modern Muslim students.

LRD ID 521 Practicum 2 Cr. hours

This course provides students with opportunities to implement what they have learned in their courses offered during the academic year in all three programmes. They spend sufficient time in specialized centers and schools to get hands on experience with the students struggling with learning and developmental disabilities. They are expected to be able to implement what they have learned in Teaching Strategies Course for all programmes, such as designing Individualised Educational Plan (IEP) and use teaching methods which best fit the students. In addition, learners have to produce and implement awareness programs to children, teachers and parents.

GS ES 621 Educational Research Methods 2 Cr. hours

The course familiarizes students with scientific thinking and research methods applied in educational and psychological studies. It also equips students with the knowledge and skills needed in conducting research. Students are expected to be able to identify research problem, construct research questions and discuss relevant assumptions, and define and classify research variables. Also, students are expected to design a research study and follow the appropriate procedures for carrying it out. Finally, students are expected to appropriately use and cite references.

LRD 506 Research Seminar 0 Cr. hours

The course familiarizes students with a methods of selecting a research topic and the necessary elements and resources of the research plan. In this course students will be trained on the scientific standards of criticizing other research studies and theses related to Learning and Developmental Disabilities. Also, students will be trained on summarizing and presenting Arabic and English research studies and theses. This course highlights some of the research problems that need further research as well as the importance of ethics in research. By the end of this course, students will have a suggested plan proposal for their master thesis.

Learning Disabilities Courses

LRD LD 531 Developmental Learning Disabilities 3 Cr. hours

LRD LD 533 Academic Learning Disabilities 3 Cr. hours

The focus in this course is on Academic Learning Disabilities and their relationship with Developmental Learning Disabilities in general. Specifically, this course focuses on the reasons of academic learning disabilities including all types of reading learning disabilities, writing learning disabilities, and Math learning disabilities with reference to the characteristics of the children with a specific disability from these disabilities as well as some applications and practices in the field.

LRD LD 526 Diagnosis and Assessment of Learning Disabilities 3 Cr. hours

The course aims to provide students with the scientific basics for the diagnosis and evaluation of learning disabilities. The course focuses on the diagnosis and evaluation of difficulties of attention, perception, and memory. The course also addresses procedures for the diagnosis and evaluation of learning disabilities using various diagnostic models: behavioral, and developmental, medical, neurological, and cognitive, both in reading, writing, spelling, written expression, or mathematics.

LRD LD 534 Remedial Approaches for Learning Disabilities 2 Cr. hours

This course aims to introduce students to various remedial approaches for learning disabilities, self - neurological, cognitive and medical approaches. Students will be trained on some of the applications of these approaches in practice and in the field.

LRD LD 527 Special Teaching Methods for Learning Disabled 2 Cr. hours

The goal of this course is to introduce students to different strategies for teaching students with learning disabilities; it will focus on implementing different cognitive strategies related to attention, perception, and memory. The course will provide training to utilize these strategies in the following academic areas: reading, writing, spelling, written expression and mathematics.

LRD LD 538 Contemporary Issues in Learning Disabilities 3 Cr. hours

The goal of this course is to provide students with the theoretical foundations and to engage contemporary issues in the field of learning disabilities. For example, the course will include issues of identification and diagnosis, test spacing, response to intervention, non-verbal learning disabilities, assistive technology for students with learning disabilities, and learning disabilities and overlapping disorders.

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