The Institute for Diversity and Inclusion,
Hiroshima University

The aim of this course is to provide teachers involved in special needs education with basic knowledge and skills related to special needs education.

Attention: This course is provided only in Japanese. No English translation is available.

Recommended for:

  • Teachers in special needs classes
  • Teachers in charge of resource rooms
  • Special Needs Education Coordinators
  • Homeroom teachers
  • Support staff
  • The course is offered on demand. You can take it any time during the course period.

Example of a lecture

Program Description:

Introduction of Education for Children with Learning Disabilities and/or Other Similar Disorders (90 min. x 15)

Students will learn about the psychological, physiological and pathological characteristics of children with developmental disabilities such as learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hyperactive autism and Asperger’s syndrome, as well as emotional disorders. This is the third column subject for the teaching certificate for special needs schools.

  • Session 1: Learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and emotional disorders (overview)
  • Session 2: Changes in Support for Children with Developmental Disabilities in the Conversion from Special Education to Special Needs Education
  • Session 3: Understanding and Supporting Learning Disabilities
  • Session 4: Understanding and Supporting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Session 5: Understanding and Supporting Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Session 6: Understanding and Supporting Emotional Disorders
  • Session 7: Curriculum for Children with Developmental Disabilities
  • Session 8: Creating Classes for Children with Developmental Disabilities
  • Session 9: The Role of the Special Needs Education Coordinator
  • Session 10: How to Support Parents and Classroom Teachers
  • Session 11: Understanding the Actual Situation of Children with Developmental Disabilities: Interpretation of Assessments and their Use in Individualized Instuructional Plans
  • Session 12: Psychology, Physiology, and Pathology of Children with Developmental and Emotional Disorders
  • Session 13: Prevention and Support of Secondary Disabilities
  • Session 14: Practical Social Skills Training for Children with Developmental Disabilities
  • Session 15: Actual Support for Children with Developmental Disabilities in the United States and Other Countries with Advanced Special Needs Education

Introduction of the Assistive Technology on Special Needs Education (90 min. x 15)

This course is about the use of assistive technology in special needs education. This is the third column subject for the teaching certificate for special needs schools.

  • Session 1: What is AT?
  • Session 2: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities
  • Session 3: AT to Support Learning
  • Session 4: Dealing with Reading Difficulties
  • Session 5: Dealing with Writing Difficulties
  • Session 6: Dealing with Arithmetic Difficulties
  • Session 7: Dealing with Communication Difficulties
  • Session 8: AT Practice in Visual Impairment Education
  • Session 9: AT Practice in Hearing Impairment Education
  • Session 10: AT Practice in Special Needs Education
  • Session 11: AT Practice in Intellectual Disability Education
  • Session 12: AT Practice in Physical Impairment Education (Switch Input)
  • Session 13: AT Practice in Physical Impairment Education (eye gaze input)
  • Session 14: AT Practice in Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Session 15: Introducing AT in School Education

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning (90 min. x 15)

Students will learn about subject instruction based on universal design for learning, knowledge of instruction for each disability, and the system of special needs education.

  • Session 1: Special Needs Education System in Kindergartens and Elementary, Middle and High Schools
  • Session 2: Teaching in Special Needs Classes (Intellectual Disability)
  • Session 3: Teaching in Special Needs Classes and Resource Rooms (Learning Disabilities, Autism, Emotional Disorders)
  • Session 4: Special Needs Education and Assistive Technology
  • Session 5: Special Needs Education in Elementary, Junior High, and High Schools
  • Session 6: Teaching Independent Activities in Elementary and Junior High Schools
  • Session 7: Basic Environmental Improvement and Reasonable Accommodation
  • Session 8: Individual Educational Support Plans and Individual Instructional Plans
  • Session 9: Educational Methodology and Technology for Universal Design of Learning
  • Session 10: Teaching Japanese Based on Universal Design for Learning
  • Session 11: Teaching Arithmetic and Mathematics Based on Universal Design for Learning
  • Session 12: Teaching Life and Social Studies Based on Universal Design for Learning
  • Session 13: Teaching Music and Arts and Crafts Based on Universal Design for Learning
  • Session 14: Teaching Foreign Language Based on Universal Design for Learning
  • Session 15: Considerations and Classroom Building Based on Universal Design for Learning

Course Fees:

45,000 yen
*If you wish to register as a non-degree student (auditors) and earn credits, you will be required to pay an additional examination fee and admission fee.

If you wish to earn credits:

It is necessary to register as a non-degree student (auditors) for courses at Hiroshima University and pass the final examination. Registration as a non-degree student must be completed separately from the certificate program (deadline is the end of February). For more information about credited auditors, please refer to the URL below.
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/nyugaku/sembatsu/kamokurisyusei

Participant’s Course Requirements:

Applicants must have or expect to obtain an elementary, junior high, or high school teaching license.
*Current Hiroshima University students are not eligible to take this course.

Certificate of Completion:

A certificate of completion will be issued to all students who attend all lectures and pass the quiz and final exam.

Applications for FY2025
Application deadline: February 28, 2025 (must arrive by this date)
Course period: June 2025 to January 2026

How to apply:
(1)Application for Certificate Program (Hiroshima University format)
(2)Curriculum Vitae (Hiroshima University format)
(3)Proof of eligibility (Copy of teaching license, etc.)
(4)Return envelope (long size 3 [23.5 cm x 12 cm], with 110 yen stamp affixed and addressed to the applicant)
Please send electronic data of your resume separately by e-mail to the following Education General Support Office (in charge of the graduate program).

Where to send application documents and procedural inquiries:
Office of Education General Support Office (in charge of graduate programs), Hiroshima University
1-1-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8524 TEL: 082-424-3706
E-mail: kyoiku-in■office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp *Replace ■ with @.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use something other than a copy of my teaching license to prove my eligibility to take the course?
A. As a general rule, please prepare a copy of your diploma or graduation certificate. If this is difficult, please contact us for advice.

Q. I am a student at Hiroshima University. Can I take the course?
A. No. Current students at Hiroshima University are not eligible to take the course. However, some of the courses are offered as regular classes, so please refer to the Hiroshima University syllabus.

Q. Is there any proof of completion of the program?
A. A certificate of completion will be issued to those who complete the program.

Q. Can I get credits for the courses I take?
A. It is possible to receive course credits for the Special Needs Education Teacher Training Program (Basic Course). If you need credits, please also register as a non-degree student at Hiroshima University. For more information about non-degree students, please refer to the following URL.
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/bungaku/admission/kamoku

Q. Can I take just one course?
A. This program can be completed by attending all of the lectures. Therefore, you cannot take just one course. However, it is possible to take just one specific subject as a non-degree student without registering for the Certificate Program. For more information about non-degree students, please refer to the following URL.
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/bungaku/admission/kamoku

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