Pedagogical Sciences - Deafblindness
Learn how to improve the lives of individuals with deafblindness or complex communication needs? Unravel their non-verbal communication? Analyse how dual sensory loss impacts development, daily functioning and daily life?
Whether your interest lies in pedagogical sciences, inclusive and special needs education, orpursuing a PhD, this unique master's programme could be what you are looking for!
The master's programme Deafblindness will enable you to impact not only the professional and academic fields of deafblindness and complex communication needs. You can also apply the knowledge and skills gained in the field of sensory and multiple disabilities.
The degree provides students with
- a deep understanding of education, assessment, and intervention approaches tailored to individuals with deafblindness or with complex communication needs
- practical, theoretical and methodological skills applied to intervention, assessment and research
- deep insight into non-verbal communication, atypical communication, and alternative and augmentative communication (e.g., tactile communication)
- the proficiency to observe minuscule changes in behaviour and to carry out microanalysis of interactions between communication partners
- knowledge of differences in vision, policies, and practices across various educational, care, and societal contexts.
The official language of the programme is English. Applicants who are not native speakers must provide official proof of proficiency. Institutional TOEFL scores are not accepted.
One of the following is required:
- TOEFL: Paper-based: 575 (speaking 55, writing 45), Computer-based: 237, Internet-based: 90 (speaking 22, writing 24)
- IELTS Academic: overall 6.5 (writing and speaking 6.5)
- Cambridge: Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE) with grade A, B, or C
- Pearson PTE Academic: overall score 66 (min. 58 in Speaking, 70 in Writing)
- LanguageCert Academic: overall score 70 (min. 70 in Speaking and Writing)
- Diploma from an English-language institution (minimum secondary level)
A completed university bachelor's degree in Pedagogical Sciences or a related field allows you to request admission.
Knowledge minimum:
- Knowledge of general research methods (preferably both quantitative and qualitative)
- Skill in statistics for the social sciences (descriptive and inferential)
- Academic disciplinary knowledge of educational sciences, pedagogy and understanding of supporting disciplines such as psychology and sociology;
- Experience in designing, conducting and reporting research within the education domain;
- Experience in academic writing (e.g. undergraduate thesis) is desirable, but not a requirement.
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Reference letter
Knowledge, experience and skills that prove relevant to this particular Master programme
Course descriptions, in English. Please do not upload a full study guide; only course descriptions of relevant courses.
After graduation, you have the knowledge and skills needed to work in the field of education related to deafblindness. This programme gives you a good basis for consultancy work in education and for further research.
If you have combined the Bachelor's programme in Pedagogy/Educational Sciences with the master's track in Deafblindness, you will receive a Certificate for NVO Pedagoog from the Examination Board.
Job prospects
Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.
Job examples
- Specialized Professional Roles
- Work in the field of deafblindness, providing support and expertise.
- Gain recognition as an orthopedagoog (Dutch students)
- Clinical and Educational Applications
Apply expertise in assessment and intervention tools within a clinical and educational settings in inclusive and special needs education or related fields, for example in complex communication needs such as autism, mutism, and Profound Intellectual and Motor Disabilities (PIMD).
- Private Practice
Establish and manage an independent practice to serve diverse client needs.
- Research and Academia
Conduct scientific research or pursue a PhD to advance knowledge and practice in the field.
