PgDip Sensory Integration

Program Overview

This postgraduate diploma in Sensory Integration is a three-year, online program designed for healthcare professionals. It provides advanced knowledge and skills in sensory integration, focusing on assessment, intervention, and advanced practice. Through a blended approach of online learning, clinical hours, and mentoring, graduates are prepared for careers in healthcare, social care, and education, among others.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This PgDip Sensory Integration program is designed for occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists who have already completed a postgraduate certificate in sensory integration. The program aims to:

• Develop advanced knowledge and skills in sensory integration.
• Understand the experience of sensory processing and integration difficulties.
• Study current Ayres Sensory Integration® practice, its application, and evidence base.
• Gain the confidence to practice as an advanced sensory integration practitioner.

Outline:

The program is structured across three years and includes a total of 120 credits. It is delivered entirely online, allowing students to study from any location.

Year 1:

• Sensory Integration 1: Foundations And Neuroscience (30 credits): This module covers the foundational principles of sensory integration, including its neuroscience basis.
• Sensory Integration 2: Clinical Reasoning In Sensory Integration: Assessment (20 credits): This module focuses on developing clinical reasoning skills for assessing sensory processing and integration difficulties.

Year 2:

• Sensory Integration 3: Clinical Reasoning And Practice In Sensory Integration: Intervention (40 credits): This module builds upon the assessment skills learned in Year 1 and focuses on developing intervention strategies for sensory integration difficulties.

Year 3:

• Sensory Integration 4: Advanced Practice (30 credits): This module delves into advanced practice in sensory integration, including research, leadership, and advocacy.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Coursework (100%): All modules are assessed through coursework, which may include essays, case studies, presentations, and practical activities.

Teaching:

The program utilizes a blended learning approach, combining online learning with practical application.

• Online Learning: Students engage with online presentations, lectures, forum discussions facilitated by module mentors, quizzes, practical activities, independent study tasks, and online activities.
• Clinical Hours: The program requires 60 clinical hours across three modules, which can be completed in the student's own workplace or in another suitable environment.
• Mentoring: Students are supported by mentoring sessions facilitated by a mentor of their choosing from the SIE register of clinical mentors.
These sessions focus on developing clinical reasoning and intervention skills.

Careers:

This program prepares graduates for a variety of careers in:

• Healthcare
• Social care
• Education
• Third sector organizations
• Private practice

Other:

• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL): APEL is available for students who have completed sensory integration modules or the postgraduate certificate at Ulster University.
• Networking Opportunities: Students become members of Sensory Integration Education's community of best practice, the Association of Sensory Integration Practitioners (ASIP).
• Course Leaders and Tutors: The program is led by experienced professionals in the field of sensory integration, including Colette Beecher, a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy.
• Applied Learning: The program emphasizes applied learning through clinical hours and mentoring sessions.
• Flexibility: The program offers multiple start dates for each sensory integration module throughout the year.