Educational Psychology for Unique Learner Needs and Support

Description

EPSY604 provides a comprehensive introduction to the psychological foundations of diverse learner profiles and the systems that support them in educational settings. Anchored in educational psychology, this course equips postgraduate students to understand, interpret, and respond to the complex and varied needs of children and young people in schools. Across six integrated modules, students examine the psychological, emotional, behavioural, and contextual dimensions of learner diversity - exploring topics such as classification systems (e.g., DSM-5, ICD-11), psychoeducational assessment, neurodivergence, learning differences, emotional regulation, trauma-informed support, and functional behaviour assessment. Emphasis is placed on the application of psychological theory to inclusive practice and the interpretation of learner needs through ethical, strengths-based, and culturally responsive lenses. The course also develops students’ capacity to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and to contribute meaningfully to team-based support planning, drawing on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and ecological approaches. Through case-based assessments and applied analysis, students will learn to interpret psychological profiles, evaluate support strategies, and navigate complex educational scenarios with clarity, compassion, and evidence-informed insight.