The Ulster University and SI Network modular pathway is the first university accredited postgraduate programme in Europe that allows therapists to earn a Masters (MSc) in Sensory Integration.

This modular pathway can lead to a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Sensory Integration, which is the gold standard for therapists to extend their knowledge and practice of Sensory Integration (SI) through a structured postgraduate course.

The course is the market leader in the UK and Ireland, with increasing applications from all over the world each year for the limited number of places available. The modules address the application of sensory integration across the life span and lecture teams including leading international and local practitioners are able to present and share different clinical expertise and application in practice, with enormous benefits.

The Modular Pathway course takes its roots from the original concept of Sensory Integration that was developed by Dr. Jean Ayres, an Occupational Therapist in the US, in the late '60s and is now recognised world wide as a treatment for many aspects of sensory and motor functioning.

First introduced and run in partnership with Liverpool University, then from 2007 with Cardiff University until 2011 when the module partnership moved to Ulster University, world renowned for its academic research and development. All courses are a combination of interactive face to face lectures with time for hands on learning and application and access to a wide range of online learning tools during and between modules including Blackboard, mentor sessions and online tutoring.

The SI Network and Ulster University programme surpasses the requirements of certification by the original and widely recognised SI courses run by the University of Southern California and Western Psychological Services.

Sensory Integration is not part of core Occupational Therapy training. Therefore, those wishing to practice SI therapy must undertake recognised and appropriate training to use this in their work. They do so as extended scope practitioners (COT/BAOT Briefing 14 Extended Scope Practice).

The SI Modular Pathway is a good choice for occupational therapists and also physiotherapists and speech and language therapists who are looking to develop and extend their knowledge of Sensory Integration as a therapeutic frame of reference and treatment approach.

Not many opportunities exist to get a structured, focused opportunity to achieve a Masters qualification in SI and demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.