The purpose of the Internship is twofold: (a) to connect theory with practice and (b) to develop professional skills for the educational and social support of individuals with special educational needs. The Internship is carried out in the 4th semester of studies, under academic guidance and professional supervision. It is governed by the principles of ethics and professional conduct of the field, and all participants are bound by confidentiality rules and the protection of sensitive personal data.
The Internship aims to:
- Familiarise students with the setting and the stakeholders involved in the internship environment
- Provide contact with students with special educational needs and/or disabilities who face various learning difficulties and barriers
- Enable participation and engagement in the daily operation of the setting, working alongside special education teaching staff
- Support the assessment and collection of information necessary for important educational decisions and the design of educational interventions for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities
- Develop the ability to design and implement educational interventions, as well as to evaluate and reflect on them
The Internship takes place in public institutions and structures that provide special education and support to students with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Indicatively, these include:
- Special Kindergartens, Special Primary Schools, Special Lower and Upper Secondary Schools
- Integration/support classes within mainstream schools at all levels
- Unified Special Vocational Gymnasiums–Lyceums (E.N.E.E.GY.L.)
- Vocational Training Workshops for Special Education and Training (E.E.E.E.K.)
- Centers for Interdisciplinary Assessment, Counselling and Support (KEDASY)
The Internship includes:
a) participation in online (distance learning) meetings,
b) 300 hours of presence in special education school settings involving observation, assessment, and teaching,
c) preparation and presentation of a final report.
The workload of the Internship is:
a) 30 ECTS for students who complete ONLY the Internship, and
b) 20 ECTS for students who complete both the Internship and the Dissertation.