Doctor of Philosophy in Learning & Developmental Disabilities

Introduction

The department of Learning and Developmental Disabilities at Arabian Gulf University aims to develop research, educational skills and community services by focusing on enabling students interested in the special education’s field. To embrace the notion that all students will have equal opportunities to learn and develop in the area of learning and developmental disabilities. In the PhD programme, the department is committed to provide its students with effective tools to actively engage in a range of theoretical, practical and social activities to better understand and enhance individuals with disabilities’ quality of life. Further, the graduates will be able to acquire advanced, up-to-date knowledge and conduct applied research in the field, addressing important issues regionally and globally.

Vision

The Programme of Learning and Developmental Disabilities to be recognised globaly and internationally for its excellence in education, research and community services by focusing on educating students interested in the special education field in a manner consistent with the goals of sustainable development in the GCC countries.
Mission
To facilitate students’ research tasks through a balanced integration of theoretical and practical applications within a framework that addresses the reality and culture of Gulf and Arab society, and the achievement of social and educational development goals to enhance the required balance for sustainable development purposes.

The Department’s Objectives

To provide the PhD students with advanced theortical and practicle knowledge, experience, research skills in the area of learning and developmental disabilities.
To enable students to detect early sings and recogise the red-flags of individuals with learning disabilities, intellectual disability, autism, and social and emotional behavior difficulties.
To enable students to aquire the skill of diagnoses and assessments cases of learning disabilities, intellectual disability, and autism.
To enable students to design and implement appropriate educational plans and programmes for individuals with special needs through preventive approaches and remedial programmes.
To enable students to use scientific research tools and measuers and properly use them in the field of specialisation.
To enable students to deal and communicate with individuals with learning disabilities, intellectual disability and autism and their families to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of the therapeutic educational activities provided to them.
Emphasise the importance of caring for individuals with learning disabilities, intellectual disability and autism, and following up on contemporary issues related to them globally and internationally.
To Prepare qualified and specialised Gulf cadres at the PhD level to deal objectively, professionally and scientifically with the requirements of the field in terms of diagnosis, evaluation and treatment.
To supporting and accept the diversity within the university, understand differente points of view through dialogue and discussion, and to work in a team spirit as strategies and work mechanisms adopted by the department.

The Department’s Mechanisms

Formation, support and development of cognitive competencies in the field of learning disabilities, intellectual disability and autism through the programme’s courses in addition to the practicum and research proposals.
Formation, support and development of educational competencies through specialised theoretical courses.
Formation, support and development of research and professional skills through research and statistical courses and the practicum.
Formation, support and development of competencies and specialised research skills by preparing the student doctoral dissertation.
Formation, support and development of specialised competencies through training in diagnosis, evaluation and research.

Download Detailed Study Plan (Specialisation: Learning Disabilities)

Download Detailed Study Plan (Specialisation: Intellectual Disability)

Download Detailed Study Plan (Specialisation: Autism)