Educational Sciences for Inclusive Communication Mediated by LIS (Intra-University) – LM-85 (Education Sciences)

Academic Year 2025/2026 Admission

The call for applications has been published the Link identifier #identifier__124415-1bando di selezione (Call for application – Italian version) for admission to the Master’s Degree Program in Educational Sciences for Inclusive Communication Mediated by Italian Sign Language (LIS) (Class LM-85 R – Code 2317), as per Selection Notice D.R. 6575/2025, Protocol 96272 dated 12/06/2025.
Consult the official notice to learn about the application procedures and deadlines.

Program Overview

This is the first Master’s level university program for training pedagogists specialized in inclusive communication processes, a key professional figure in educational institutions and services where deaf and hearing students use LIS as their primary language (e.g., individuals with non-verbal autism, non-verbal syndromic conditions, etc.).

The program aims to train pedagogists specialized in communication mediated by Italian Sign Language (LIS), providing in-depth knowledge and skills in both educational sciences and linguistics.

The course is delivered through a collaborative framework among three university campuses located in Southern, Central and Northern Italy, each with expertise in the fields of deafness, LIS and related education and training.

The degree program is organized in an innovative way to ensure active and participatory learning using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology.

The course is held in blended mode, maximizing in-person activities at each campus, ensuring student interaction and prioritizing workshop-based and participatory teaching.

At each university site, students attend one-third of lessons in person and two-thirds online. Teaching activities are structured to allow both in-person and remote students to engage in a cohesive and collaborative learning experience.

In-class tutors will coordinate communication between campuses (e.g., relaying questions from online classrooms to the in-person one), especially during exercises and workshops. Linguistic Expert Collaborators (deaf signing instructors) will conduct LIS practice sessions at each campus to ensure LIS proficiency.

Professional Profile

The pedagogist specialized in communication mediated by LIS can work in various contexts:

  • As a communication assistant, a key role where deaf or hearing students use LIS as their primary means of communication (e.g., non-verbal autistic individuals or those with non-verbal syndromes), in schools of all levels, educational and training centers, universities (as tutors) and in network projects involving families.
  • As a professional responsible for coordination, supervision and consulting in educational and second-level training contexts that require qualified pedagogical responses: in services for individuals, groups, communities and within educational, social, socio-health specifically socio-educational and care sectors.
  • As an expert in communication and LIS in third-sector organizations or private institutions, to support social inclusion pathways.

According to current regulations, graduates of this program will be qualified to practice as professional pedagogists. They may work as employees, freelancers or in semi-independent roles within public, private or third-sector organizations. Their functions may include educational research, coordination, supervision, pedagogical consultancy and they may hold high-responsibility roles in second-level educational and training contexts.

Admission Requirements

This is a degree program with restricted access, 114 available spots.

Applicants must have 12 additional University Educational Credits (CFU) in Italian Sign Language (LIS – L-LIN/01) and English language proficiency at B2 level. Certificates issued by recognized institutions with proven training experience (showing the number of LIS hours completed) are accepted. Alternatively, this knowledge may be assessed by a dedicated evaluation committee, which must include at least one native LIS user.

Applicants who hold a degree in the following classes are automatically eligible (apart from the LIS and English requirements):

  • Class L-19 (per Ministerial Decree 270/2004)
  • Class L-18 (per Ministerial Decree 509/1999)

Applicants without degrees in these classes must demonstrate 36CFU in at least three of the following Scientific-Disciplinary Sectors (SDS):

  • L-LIN/01
  • L-LIN/02
  • M-FIL/05
  • M-PED/01
  • M-PED/03
  • M-PED/04
  • M-PSI/01
  • M-PSI/04
  • M-PSI/05
  • M-PSI/07
  • SPS/07

Examinations and Final Thesis

Exams will be conducted either in person or remotely, depending on how the corresponding courses are delivered (1/3 in person, 2/3 online across the three campuses).

At the end of the two-year program, students will present a Master’s thesis focused on inclusion and education, particularly relating to deaf students or hearing students who use LIS and the role of communication assistants in various settings (schools or third-sector associations). The thesis may be related to internship experiences carried out in schools or educational/training centers.

Course Presentation

Watch the Course Presentation (Link identifier #identifier__32245-2Presentazione del Corso – Italian version) that took place during the Roma Tre Open Day on May 7, 2024.

Download the Master’s Degree Course Brochure for LIS a.y. 2024-2025 (Link identifier #identifier__198595-3Brochure del Corso di Laurea Magistrale LIS a.a. 2024-2025 – Italian version)

Campus Locations

Reference Websites

Course Contact Person (Roma Tre University): Prof. Arianna Bello Link identifier #identifier__143025-10arianna.bello@uniroma3.it

Link identifier #identifier__43963-11Link identifier #identifier__193507-12Link identifier #identifier__27222-13Link identifier #identifier__184178-14
Francesca Vaino 15 October 2025