Graduate Diploma In Special Needs & Inclusive Education (E-Learning)

Start Date

Feb, Apr 2026

Duration

6 Months Part Time

Mode

100% Online (Zoom)

Assessment

100% Coursework

Wellness Diploma Aventis

Graduate Diploma In Special Needs & Inclusive Education (E-Learning)

Awarded by Aventis Graduate School

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Special Needs & Inclusive Education offers a comprehensive and forward-looking educational pathway for those who aspire to create truly inclusive learning environments. This program is designed to empower educators and professionals with the knowledge, strategies, and empathy needed to address the diverse needs of students, ensuring that every learner’s journey is meaningful and impactful.

Delve into the heart of inclusive education as you explore the foundational theories that underpin this vital field. Gain a deep understanding of differentiation strategies that enable you to craft personalized learning experiences, allowing each student to thrive at their own pace and style.

Upon enrolment in this programme, you’ll be eligible to join the Association of Educational Therapists (Singapore) as a student member — opening doors to a professional network, resources, and continuous learning opportunities.

Career Progression

The Care Economy consists of a professional group of occupations and competencies involved in educating and caring for present-day and future generations.

Almost 40% of job openings in emerging professions globally will be in the Care Economy by 2022.

After completing this Special Needs & Inclusive Education diploma course, you can go on to one of our Master’s programmes in psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy. You’re in for rewarding job prospects, such as:


Aventis partners with ISADD (Intervention Service for Autism and Developmental Delay) to facilitate placement and internship opportunities for students enrolled in Aventis Graduate School's programmes. ISADD is Singapore’s leading early intervention service provider for schools and children with Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) based Early Intervention Programme.

Student Profile

43 Years Old (Average)
18.8 Years Working Experience
Learners from over 12 Sectors
68% Female : 32% Male
30% Senior Management
28% Middle Management
42% Professionals and Executives

Why Choose Aventis ?

Access a world-class education founded on Aventis' 15 years of extraordinary success in the graduate education market. Get a degree from a graduate programme you can respect and trust.

Child Psychology Diploma

Aventis is one of only 4 Business Schools in Singapore that is a member of the Executive MBA Council, the World’s Leading Body that champions advancement in MBA. Other members include the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Management University (SMU), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

Diploma In Child Psychology Singapore

Aventis is one of only 8 Business Schools in Singapore that is part of the AACSB International Business Education Alliance. Other members include Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS), National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore Management University (SMU)

Programme Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Special Needs & Inclusive Education in Singapore comprises of 4 practical modules. These courses are designed to provide you with an understanding of special needs psychology and strategies to help them. This programme utilises current industry best practices as case studies as well as a benchmark for students. This is a 100% coursework-based programme.

Start Date

Feb, Apr 2026

Duration

6 Months Part Time

Time

09:00am - 05:00pm

Programme Delivery

The classes would be held at 4 weekend blocks of 2 full day classes.

SatSunSatSun
9am to 5pm9am to 5pm9am to 5pm9am to 5pm

What Will You Learn?

Developmental Psychology

This module aims to examine developmental psychology throughout the lifespan, from conception through adulthood and death. In this class you will be introduced to several major theories that help summarize and organize the understanding of the course of human development. At a general level we will examine the genetic and biological contributions to individual development, the social contextual contributions, and the interaction between these two general sets of variables. Specific topics will include: behavioral genetics, temperament, parent child relations, sibling relations, peer relations, the self, intelligence, emotional development, and problems of social development(antisocial behavior, depression).It aims to examine how developmental theory, knowledge base, and methodology can be used top romote health and welfare of individuals across lifespan.

Child Psychology & Intervention strategy

Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development, and studying these changes is endlessly stimulating. In this free course, Introduction to child psychology, you will be introduced to the discipline of child psychology and some of the key questions that guide the understanding of childhood. These questions include ‘What influences children’s development?’ and ‘How do psychologists study the physical and cognitive changes that occur during childhood?’ As you work through this material, you will also gain a deeper understanding concerning how psychologists work with young children across a range of applied settings through activities and audio-visual materials.

Teaching And Supporting Children With Special Needs

Growing Awareness and Support for Special Needs Children Based on the latest report, there is a rise in children with special needs; from 4362 diagnosed cases in 2017 to 5500 in 2018. With the bridging between pre-schools and early intervention centres, as well as more children with special needs enrolling in mainstream schools, teachers are now required to handle different learning and behaviour needs in class. Demand for early intervention is set to grow with more children diagnosed with special needs due to greater awareness and testing, with the numbers from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the National University Hospital growing exponentially. Children and youth, regardless of abilities, should have opportunities to maximise their potential. This is when assessment tools and implementation strategy of early intervention and integration support programmes come into play as they are important for growth and development of children and youth with special needs.

Cognitive Psychology

The module aims to provide students with a working understanding of cognitive psychology (theory and method). Cognitive Psychology is used throughout the entire range of human knowledge, perception, activity, speech processing, problem solving and thinking about learning and memory. The course will give students knowledge of the most important concepts, themes, problems and empirical research in modern cognitive theory as it concerns how we receive, interpret, edit, use and save information. The course will deal with the study of both general traits and individual differences.

Expert Faculty

Meet the expert faculty guiding your success.

Dr Celestine Tan

Doctorate in Education, European International University (Paris, France)

  • Over 23 years of teaching experience working with students who are intellectually disabled or have special educational needs
  • Former MOE-approved teacher trainer for Diploma in early Childcare Education
  • Member of the American Psychological Association
Dr Lim Kok Kwang

PhD – University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Clinical Psychology)

  • Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist with nearly 30 years of clinical practice; PhD, Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol), Fellow of the British Psychological Society (FBPsS), and Senior Practitioner on the Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy (ROPSIP).
  • Highly decorated practitioner, including the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Psychology in Singapore (SPS) and the Distinguished Contribution to Practice Award (BPS); former President of the Singapore Psychological Society and Singapore Society of Clinical Hypnosis.
  • Internationally respected educator, supervisor, and researcher with training in mind-body medicine at Harvard Medical School; editorial board member of peer-reviewed journals, co-author of books on child and adolescent mental health, and frequent collaborator with healthcare, government, and academic institutions.
Ms Jeslyn Lim

Ms Jeslyn Lim

Master of Education (Developmental Psychology); Nanyang Technological University

  • Founder and Managing Director of Mind Culture and Co-Founder and Managing Director of Thrive Psychology Clinic.
  • Immediate Past President of the Association of Psychotherapy and Counsellors Singapore (APACS) and full member of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS).
  • Highly experienced psychologist, hypnotherapist, and ACTA-certified lecturer; certified in Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) and Advanced 5-PATH® Hypnotherapy, specialising in behavioural and language interventions, intellectual disability, childhood mental health, and staff wellness, and currently providing psychological services at NUH and Jurong Community Hospital.

Admission Criteria

You are expected to actively contribute to the class learning experience in a collaborative learning environment with your peers and cohort. All candidates will be assessed based on their working experience and merits. The minimum age requirement to apply for this programme is 21 years old.

  • A Bachelor degree or equivalent Undergraduate Qualification in any discipline; or
  • Graduate Diploma/Diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of 8 years working experience,

OR

30 years old and above, with 8 years of working experience but without an academic qualification, will also be considered on a case-by-case basis

Language Proficiency

  • GCE O Level English (C6 and above); or
  • IELTS score of 5.5 or above; or
  • For students who didn’t meet the language proficiency requirement, they will need to pass Aventis English Proficiency Test (EPT)

Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete and pass all modules, with a minimum passing grade of 50 for each module, to be eligible for graduation.

Awards and Funding

Upon completion of the programme, you will be awarded a Graduate Diploma in Special Needs & Inclusive Education by Aventis Graduate School, which is registered with Skillsfuture Singapore (SSG).

Academic Journey

Upon completion of the programme, students will be eligible to apply for the Master of Arts in Inclusive Special Education offered by the University of Chichester (UK), which can be completed within 10 months. 

Fees

Our Graduate Diploma in Special Needs & Inclusive Education is one of the most affordable in Singapore. Download our brochure for more information about our scholarship available.

Success Stories

Mental Wellness Diploma In Singapore
I thoroughly enjoyed this course and hope to expand my acquired knowledge further into practice. It has been an enriching experience, especially for adult learners. The lecturers’ considerations and efforts shaped and moulded us accordingly. My experience at Aventis has been very beneficial to me. The course was very interesting, and the lecturers were highly professional and qualified. I will definitely introduce this program and Aventis to my friends.
Ms. Stansy Stephen
Manager, Allcare Nursing Services,
Alumni, 2016
Your learning will also take place in the company of experienced working professionals, just like yourself, who can provide a unique vantage point on the subject at hand. Whether you are seeking to expand your knowledge, to further develop your qualifications or to widen your network, you will find that Aventis offers you an opportunity to do so like no other.
Mr. Cheo Hu Gang
Manager, Rotra Chemicals,
Alumni, 2017

Pro-bono Counselling Service

As part of the Aventis CARE Programme to promote Mental Wellness and Workplace Counselling Services, we are proud to offer complimentary 5 sessions of pro-bono Counselling and Coaching for all our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Graduate School?

A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that learners must have earned a previous undergraduate or a mature candidate with more than 8 years working experience. Graduate school focus on professional development as compared to traditional school which focus on academic theories and research.

Is Aventis a recognised institute?

Aventis Graduate School is registered with Skillsfuture Singapore (SSG) and complies with the Private Education Act. Aventis is also a member of AACSB Business Alliance Group and EMBA Council.

How is graduate school different from other levels of education?

Compared to other levels of study, graduate school involves a more concentrated course of study with higher expectations for both the quality and quantity of your work. Graduate programs also focus more deeply on a specific discipline, with an emphasis on practical experience and case studies.

What is a Graduate Diploma?

A Graduate diploma is an advanced diploma that is usually taken after a bachelor degree. A graduate diploma is typically shorter in duration than a master degree course and should be viewed as an additional specialisation that improves a person’s overall employability. For a graduate diploma qualification to be offered in Singapore, the awarding body must be registered with Skillsfuture Singapore (SSG)

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)

A postgraduate diploma is considered as a Level 7 academic qualification under the RQF (UK).  Postgraduate qualification are commonly awarded in UK, Canada, India, Australia and New Zealand. Similar to Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate diploma is typically done after a bachelor’s degree course. In some countries, the terms graduate diploma and postgraduate diploma are interchangeable, whereas in others, the postgraduate diploma is a higher qualification.

If I am a self-sponsored candidate, do you offer any financial plans to help me pay for my education?

Once you’ve chosen a course that aligns with your interests and meets your qualifications, we can help arrange instalment plans or education loans through our trusted banking partners. This ensures your aspirations and career goals remain within reach.

How long will it take to complete my studies?

Course duration varies on your chosen specialisation. Typically, a graduate diploma can be completed in 6 months part-time, while a master’s degree usually takes around 12 months part-time. For more detailed information tailored to your specific course, please speak with one of our programme advisors.

Is the Master's Degree awarded the same as the on-campus programme?

The Master’s degree awarded to you is exactly the same as that given to on-campus students of the external University partners in the UK. You are invited to attend the graduation ceremony either in Singapore or on campus in the UK.

Do you offer online programmes?

Yes. To meet the growing demand for graduate education worldwide, most of our courses are delivered via Zoom live stream, allowing you to study anytime, anywhere. All classes are also recorded for easy revision.

What is a typical class profile?

A typical cohort consists of Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, and foreign expatriates working in Singapore. Additionally, an increasing number of professionals based outside Singapore are enrolling in our graduate programmes, facilitated by the flexible online delivery format.

Are scholarships or study loans available?

Yes, scholarships are available to eligible students. For more information, refer to the Aventis Course Listing page

What are the available instalment payment schemes?

Aventis offers flexible and affordable payment plans to make our programmes more accessible.

For Postgraduate and Graduate Diploma programmes:

  • 12-month interest-free instalments with DBS credit card
  • 3-month instalment plan via ATOME

For MBA and Master’s programmes:

  • Tuition fees can be paid over 4 instalments across the duration of the programme
  • Alternatively, you can apply for an education loan with our banking partners for monthly repayments
Is a Bachelor's degree required for admission?

While a Bachelor degree or equivalent Undergraduate Qualification in any discipline is required, applicants with a Graduate Diploma/Diploma or equivalent, with a minimum of 8 years working experience can also apply. Applicants aged 30 and above with substantial work experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact our Programme Advisor for further details.

Are there any other hidden fees besides the course fees?

The course fees cover tuition, academic services, required readings and teaching materials, e-learning resources, and web-based information services. A one-time application fee of S$200 (subject to GST) is applicable. All fees are transparently stated, and there are no hidden charges.

Can I defer my studies? Will I be penalised?

All our programmes are designed to accommodate working professionals. If you are unable to commit to the course requirements, you are advised to defer your studies to a later intake. There is no academic penalty for deferment. However, a deferment application fee of S$200 (subject to GST) is applicable. Please consult your programme advisor for the deferment cut-off date specific to your chosen programme.

Is attendance compulsory?

No, there is no minimum attendance requirement for our Part-Time programmes. However, students are strongly encouraged to attend at least 75% of all classes. Those who are unable to attend are advised to watch the recorded sessions before attempting any assessments or coursework to ensure they stay on track with the learning objectives.

Students taking Full-Time programme are required to achieve minimum 90% overall attendance.

Can I refer my friends or colleagues?

Yes, graduate education is a dynamic learning experience where peer discussion, reflection, and case studies enrich your journey. As a gesture of appreciation, we offer a referral reward of S$1,000 for each successful Master’s degree referral and S$500 for each successful Graduate Diploma referral. Terms and conditions apply.

Can I graduate overseas instead of in Singapore?

Yes. The Master’s degree conferred is identical to the one awarded to on-campus students of the external University partners in the UK. You have the option to attend your graduation ceremony in Singapore or UK, depending on the awarding university.

How do I get started?

Simply fill in the form below and one of our programme advisors will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

What's Next?

Take the next step towards your academic success. Download our course brochure, Apply Now or Speak to your dedicated programme advisor Mr Robert @ 6720 0302to learn more!

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Find out more about your eligibility and scholarships available.

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