Course Description
Discover an exciting learning journey with the DAS Academy and join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of people with specific learning differences.
This Specialist Diploma is designed by the DAS Academy and is pending registration with the Committee for Private Education. It is also recognised by the Register of Educational Therapist (ASIA).
The Specialist Diploma in Learning Support for Specific Learning Differences is a full-time/part-time programme and can be completed in a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 36 months. For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Learning Support for Specific Learning Differences, participants have to successfully complete seven modules. Students are expected to complete 2 compulsory modules and allowed to select the other 4 elective modules based on their preferences. Students must pass all assessments for all 6 taught modules, in order to proceed with the practicum module to complete the Specialist Diploma. In other words, all assignments are submitted as required under the Specialist Diploma. Modules are stackable and designed to run consecutively, and students should complete the Specialist Diploma within a year.
Students are allowed to apply for the intermission of studies, should the need arises, and continue taking the module in the following run within the maximum term of 3 years.
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Course Delivery
DAS Academy will be delivering the course with dual-mode of learning; face-to-face or online via live-stream on Zoom. Please indicate your preferred mode of learning in the registration form. Please note that you will not be allowed to change your preference once the registration is completed.
Upcoming Programme Preview
27 March 2021, Saturday. Click here to sign up
Intakes
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021
April 2021*
May 2021*
June 2021*
*These intakes will be subjected to a fee increase in FY2021.
Application Period
Please see dates on the modules tab.
Teacher-Student Ratio
This programme has a student-teacher ratio of 1:35.
Graduation
To attain the Specialist Diploma in Learning Support for SpLD, the student must have obtained a pass for all module assessment(s) (Modules 1 – 7). Students have up to 3 years (from the commencement of the core/first module) to complete the Specialist Diploma.
More Information
Information about the Specialist Diploma such as Module Information, Time Table and Entry Criteria can be viewed by clicking the tabs above.
Students and graduates of the Specialist Diploma programme have enjoyed the curriculum and praised the delivery of the content. Click here to read what they say! |
Fees
Course Fees: $5,750 (inclusive of GST)
*The Credit Card Instalment Payment Plan (IPP) is applicable for OCBC Visa/Mastercard.
This diploma programme will be subjected to a fee increase from 1 April 2021.
Non-refundable Application Fee: $32.10 (inclusive of GST)
Late Payment Fee: $32.10 (inclusive of GST)
Accreditation of Prior Learning - Non-refundable APL processing fee: $53.50.
Payment Course Fees
Applicants will be notified to make payment of course fee in two installments, once their applications have been accepted.
If you have previously undertaken any of the modules as certificate courses that make up the Specialist Diploma (e.g. Certificate in Dyslexia & Literacy Teaching) or its equivalent within the last three years, you may be exempted from part of the Specialist Diploma via Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). This will prevent you from duplicating the study which has been previously completed.
Compulsory Modules | ||
Understanding Dyslexia (4 hours self-paced e-learning) |
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Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching (42 hours) | ||
Elective A Modules (Choose three 15-hour modules) | ||
Educational Psychology | ||
Understanding Speech, Language and Communication Needs | ||
Supporting SpLD Learners in Mathematics | ||
Dyslexia and Chinese Language Support | ||
IEP Planning for SpLD Learners | ||
Supporting SpLD Learners in FEHE | ||
Teaching Morphology to SpLD Learners | ||
Elective B Modules (Choose one 21-hour module) | ||
Supporting SpLD Learners in Advanced English Literacy Skills | ||
Supporting SpLD Learners in Advanced Chinese Literacy Skills | ||
Supporting At-risk Preschoolers in Literacy | ||
Supporting SpLD Learners in Higher-Order Mathematical Skills | ||
Practicum Module | ||
Specific Differences in Practice (10-hours intervention, 5 consultation hours with supervisor) |
Assessments
All module assessments are compulsory. Some of the assessments are undertaken during the lecturing time frame while others require students to submit at a stipulated time.
Potential deadlines for certain assessments are listed in the table above. These periods, however, are subject to changes.
All assessments (where applicable) are to be submitted to student.services@dasacademy.edu.sg, except for physical portfolios which are to be submitted in person at the DAS Academy (Rex House). All assessments are due by 5:30 pm (1730hrs) on the specified due date.
For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, students have to complete 6 modular courses and a practicum. The Specialist Diploma is delivered on weekday evenings and/or Saturdays, with a total of 127 contact hours for the entire diploma.
Module Description
Please click on the titles to learn more about the modules.
Module Timetable
No. | Compulsory Modules | 2021 Runs | Dates |
1 | Understanding Dyslexia | 1st of every month | View here |
2 | Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching |
January |
No. | Elective A - Choose 3 Modules | 2021 Runs | Dates |
1 | Educational Psychology |
February |
|
2 | Understanding Speech, Language and Communication Needs |
May |
|
3 | Supporting SpLD Learners in Mathematics - f.k.a Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching |
January |
|
4 | Dyslexia and Chinese Language Support |
February |
|
5 | IEP Planning for SpLD Learners |
March |
|
6 |
April |
||
7 | Supporting SpLD Learners in FEHE |
January |
|
8 | Teaching Morphology to SpLD Learners |
February |
No. | Elective B - Choose 1 Module | 2021 Runs | Time |
1 | Supporting SpLD Learners in Advanced English Literacy Skills |
January |
|
2 | Supporting SpLD Learners in Advanced Chinese Literacy Skills |
March |
|
3 | Supporting At-risk Preschoolers in Literacy |
April |
|
4 | Supporting SpLD Learners in Higher-Order Mathematical Skills | April September |
View here |
No. | Practicum Module | 2021 Runs | Dates |
1 | Specific Learning Differences in Practice |
January |
View here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How is the Teaching Practicum module conducted?
Students are required to teach a learner who may be at risk of literacy difficulties for 10 lessons, each lesson should be a duration of 1 hour. The learner will have to be sourced from students’ own contacts. A mentor will be assigned to you for a duration of 5 hours, which will run concurrently with the teaching practicum.
Q. I have completed all the compulsory modules and four other modules via the Certificate Courses route. How do I make the conversion for the Specialist Diploma?
You should have achieved a Certificate of Achievement for 6 completed modules. The application fee of $32.10 and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) of $53.50 will be required for conversion.
Please contact our Student Services at 6336 2555 for the cost of the Practicum Module. Please note that the Practicum module must be completed no later than 3 years from the completion date of your first Certificate Course.
Q. I have not completed all the required certificate courses. Can I still apply to convert to the Specialist Diploma?
Yes, you can indicate your interest to make the conversion here. Our Student Services Associate will get in touch with you on how to proceed.
Q. When is the closing date of application?
Application closes two weeks before the commencement of the course. Commencement of the Specialist Diploma will be upon successful signing of the student contract.
Minimum Age: 18 years old
Academic Level: Minimum 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes, or equivalent
Language Proficiency: GCE ‘O’ Level pass in English Language as the 1st Language, or equivalent
Applicants who do not meet the above requirement may opt for an alternative entry. Applicants are to successfully pass the 2 core modules as standalone certificates before applying for APL to convert it to Specialist Diploma.
For updated information on the closing date, please contact DAS Academy.
For more details, please contact the DAS Academy at info@dasacademy.edu.sg.
Public: $32.10
DAS Parents: $53.50
Duration: