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Charles University Faculty of Education

Introduction
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The Faculty of Education is one of seventeen faculties associated under the umbrella of the Charles University in Prague. Its primary goal is to train teachers and other pedagogical personnel for all types of schools and school systems, at various levels of study (Bachelors and Masters) and forms. While five other faculties within the Charles University are also officially qualified to train teachers, what makes the Faculty of Education unique is the span and complexity of its educational focus. The Faculty provides university-level pre- and in-service teacher education in the following fields: Humanities, Social Sciences, Art Education, Physical Education, Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

The Faculty is currently training approximately 4200 students in both BA and MA study programmes, plus nearly 10 000 students taught within a wide range of combined forms of study programmes, mainly as a part of professional teacher development.

The Faculty is also opened to tuition-paying foreign students who can enrol to programmes taught in English. The Faculty participates in the international Erasmus Mundus programme aimed at facilitating student and teacher mobility.

BA and MA study programmes

In 2006, the faculty adopted the ECTS credit system which is acknowledged in all EU countries and thereby allows for easier student mobility within the EU.

The student of the Faculty of Education typically studies a combination of two subjects.

Bachelor study programmes

The 3-year BA study programme aims to give the students substantial knowledge in the two chosen subjects, yet it does not constitute a teaching degree – the BA graduates are not officially qualified to teach. That is why the structure of compulsory and elective courses offered within programme is tailored in a way that builds up the professional expertise in the chosen subjects rather than the educational skills and teaching competences of the students. The BA syllabus consequently includes only a few courses in pedagogical and psychological disciplines. However, the syllabus also includes a compulsory motivational teaching practice which should help the students decide whether they want to continue in the follow-up MA study to earn a teaching degree.

Master study programmes

The graduates of the 2-year follow-up MA programme will have acquired substantial expertise in the professional area covered by the two core subjects of their choice and, in addition to this, they will also have developed their pedagogical, psychological and didactic competences, crucial for any teaching profession. Thus, apart from compulsory and elective courses which seek to solidify the students’ professional expertise, the MA syllabus also includes specifically tailored didactic courses and a fully-fledged student teaching practice, all of which are integrated in an organic and interconnected system. The graduate of the follow-up MA study is fully qualified to teach at higher primary and secondary schools.

History

The Faculty of Education at the Charles University in Prague was founded in November 1946, based upon one of the first presidential decrees to be passed after the re-establishment of the independent state of Czechoslovakia, and also upon the newly adopted law which sought to establish education faculties at all universities of that day. This was the culmination of lasting efforts to ensure substantial university education for teachers at all levels, both primary and secondary. The Faculty of Education at the Charles University was officially opened on November 15, 1946 in the Prague Rudolfinum (The House of Artists), and the festive launch was attended by the Czech president, Dr. Edvard Beneš.

However, the 1953 school reform succeeded in dismantling all Czech faculties of education. The newly established institution for training the teachers of general subjects was called The Pedagogical University – The Higher School of Pedagogy.

Yet another reform of the Czech educational system (carried out in 1959) gave birth to Pedagogical institutes in Prague and Brandýs nad Labem which were designed to train primary teachers, while future secondary school teachers were supposed to study their core subjects at various university faculties, as had been the case before 1946. The Czech faculties of education were not re-established until 1964. It is worth mentioning that secondary school teachers of art, music and physical education were initially trained at other respective Charles University faculties while alsoattending some pedagogical and psychological courses at the Faculty of Education.

The mid-1970s saw the unification and merging of the training networks of primary and secondary school teachers and the extension of the respective length of study up to 5 years. Those were rather unhappy times, as many departments were dismantled or appended to various other University faculties.

Over the 50 years of the Faculty’s existence, a number of noteworthy experts in various fields have taught in its ranks, such as Cyril Bouda, V. Hrabal, J. Charvát, Otakar Chlup, L. Kopeckij, J. Plavec, V. Tardy and F. Vodička, to mention just a few.

This school offers programs in:
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  • Czech

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This school also offers:

PhD

PhD in Art Education

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate is profiled as an expert personality, competent in the fields of visual art and pedagogy, prepared for professionally effective research, educational and cultural activity. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies Contemporary field of Visual Art Education is embedded in the inquiry into social and cultural conditions of visualization (showing, imagining, and creating) understood as a specific feature of human ontogenesis, culture and general education. The study contributes to a deep understanding of creative thinking, learning and teaching in the area of visual culture and new collaborative and educative functions of contemporary art. The programme of Visual Art Education as an integral part of the educational field of Art and Culture has a great interdisciplinary potential. Graduates represent specialists not only in the area of visual and fine arts, but also in research teams of pedagogy, special pedagogy, developmental psychology, media and cultural studies, comparative cultural and pedagogical studies, visual semiotics, cognitive science, aesthetics, visual theory and others. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination 1) Before the entrance examination the applicants submit their own doctoral thesis specialized in Art Education suggesting ways in which the topic should be handled. 2) During the entrance examination members of the committee evaluate quality of the project as well as assumptions of the applicant to meet the targets imposed by the project. The candidates demonstrate their conceptual approach to technical difficulties, the depth and breadth of their orientation in the theory and practice of art, their ability to analyse literary sources (also in foreign languages). Project on selected topics in vocational standard 10 typed pages is accompanied by bibliography, a short abstract (5-10 lines) and key words... [-]

PhD in Czech and Czechoslovak History

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate of doctoral studying program Czech and Czechoslovak history is equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of historical work, namely in scientific research as well as teaching history. [+]

The aim of doctoral studies is to prepare qualified researchers in the field of Czech and Czechoslovak history, who will become the mainstay of further historical research. The studies develop special knowledge of doctoral students and provide them with a deeper understanding of the chosen specialization. Via lectures and seminars, doctoral students get acquainted with the latest knowledge of historical science as well as current trends in methodology. The focus of doctoral studies lies in presenting written dissertation thesis of original scholarly work based on the original source base. PhD thesis should extend previous research findings, and doctoral students also demonstrated the ability to handle the topic with adequate methods and at the international level. The applicants submit a project up to 10 pages including bibliography together with their applications. The project topic chosen by themselves usually corresponds with the overall theme, which they would like to pursue during doctoral studies. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination: Discussion about the project - the applicant must demonstrate their qualifications for scientific work. Emphasis will be placed on the orientation of the scientific production of the chosen topic, the ability to issue partial integration into the general historical context and to formulate own conclusions. Evaluation Criteria: The applicant can get a maximum of ten points, the number of points for the admission to study is getting at least seven points. Conditions for admission Candidates are admitted to study if they meet all admission requirements: a) to deliver a... [-]

PhD in Didactics of Mathematics

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate of the PhD studies in mathematics education is prepared to deal with both theoretical and application problems in the mathematical education of children and adults and carry out both scientific and pedagogical activities. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies Candidates for doctoral studies in Didactics of Mathematics are expected to: show interest in mathematics education in general (for example, by taking part in scientific conferences and conferences for teachers), have an overview of the most important scientific journals and books related to mathematics education, have an idea of the area of mathematics education they are willing to focus on in their studies and be able to specify it in a written project of up to 10 pages (including tentative research questions, methodology and theoretical background and a list of references). Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination 1) Discussion about the thesis project. The project must be sent together with the application to the Department of Science, Faculty of Education, Charles University in Prague. The quality of the project is important in order to be assessed by the entrance committee, which will evaluate the candidate's readiness to do research in mathematics education. 2) Discussion about the references from the candidate's list of scientific literature on mathematics education (must be sent together with the application). Evaluation Criteria: The applicant can get a maximum of ten points, the number of points for the admission to study is getting at least seven points. Conditions for admission Candidates are admitted to study if they meet all admission requirements: a) to deliver a certified copy of completion of Master’s degree programme, b) to pass an entrance examination, reach minimum number of point determined by the Dean, c)... [-]

PhD in Education

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

A graduate from the doctoral study programme in Education is familiar with the key concepts and theories in educational disciplines including educational methodology, which he/she is able to apply practically in dealing with theoretical and empirical problems in the school system and the field of education in general. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies The doctoral studies are conceived as a preparatory programme for scholars and researchers whose creative endeavours contribute to the development of theory and research in the field of education sciences. The programme aims preferably to enhance their relevant expertise, to disseminate relevant research findings and trends in the field of education and to cultivate methodological competences of doctoral students. General focus of the study programme offers students the chance to get acquainted more deeply with the pedagogical disciplines. The focal point of the doctoral study is a doctoral dissertation/thesis, defined as an original scholarly work whose findings enrich the respective field of study within the broader context of developing the discipline. Consultations Due to the nature and content of study, the applicant may consult the theme, the structure of the project and possibilities for its processing with potential supervisors of doctoral studies. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination Candidates for doctoral studies in Education are expected to: Show interest in education in general (for example, by taking part in scientific conferences and conferences for teachers, taking part in research teams, working in educational institutions). Have an overview of the most important scientific journals and books related to education. The candidate shall send, along with his/her application, the list of literature (books) from education science and related disciplines that he/she has read, as well as scholarly journals in the filed he/she is familiar with. The list of literature will form a basis for... [-]

PhD in Educational Psychology

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate is trained for scientific research work in two occupations: 1) as psychologist-university teacher and 2) as psychologist-practitioner (counselling psychologist, school psychologist, psychologist in other institutions with any educational concern). [+]

Characteristics of the Study The PhD studies in Educational Psychology are training the student in scientific research work in educational psychology, i.e. in psychology applied to educational topics. The studies are not to compensate for the pre-gradual (Master Degree) instruction in Psychology, if requested by Chambers or Associations of Psychologists as the condition for the psychology practice or for further studies (especially in medicine). They add researchers’ competence in the field of education by means of psychology and by grasping the context of other sciences of education. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination A necessary part of the admission procedure is the official examining board test. The applicant has to submit the project of their dissertation: title; state-of-art; problem; design with its time table; list of literature. The project is to be defended before the board. Preferably, the project would be co-signed by the mentor in spe, specialist in the topic. Evaluation Criteria: The applicant can get a maximum of ten points, the number of points for the admission to study is getting at least seven points. Conditions for admission Candidates are admitted to study if they meet all admission requirements: a) to deliver a certified copy of completion of Master’s degree programme, b) to pass an entrance examination, reach minimum number of point determined by the Dean, c) to meet any other requirements specified by a given field of study. Information on the exercise of graduates The graduate is trained for scientific research work in... [-]

PhD in Musical Theory and Education

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

Graduates are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills in the chosen field so that he could participate in the implementation of the increased demands on the preparation of future teachers of music education. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies The specialization of Music Theory and Education is based on the selection and synthesis of the musicological and musical educational disciplines, allowing a balanced preparation of highly qualified experts in terms of research and teaching. In accordance with a broad spectrum of musical pedagogy, the specialization follows the scope of the study corresponding to the target: preparation of specialists in the area of research of general music education, vocational training and other activities requiring such a specialization. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination Specifications of admission requirements: Applicants hand in a written project (including bibliography) up to 10 pages on the candidate´s selected vocational topic together with the application form to the Department of Science of the Faculty of Education, Charles University. It is expected that the project has its own ideas and proves to have skills for scientific work. The project should include the characteristics of the research problem, the basic idea of the goals and structure of the issue and the methods in theoretical research and professional literature. Evaluation Criteria: The applicant can get a maximum of ten points, the number of points for the admission to study is getting at least seven points. Conditions for admission Candidates are admitted to study if they meet all admission requirements: a) to deliver a certified copy of completion of Master’s degree programme, b) to pass an entrance examination, reach minimum number of point determined by the Dean, c) to meet any other... [-]

PhD in Philosophy

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate of doctoral programme is capable of research activity in the area of philosophy, particularly the philosophy of education. He is acquainted with ontological, gnoseological and ethical assumptions of philosophical thinking from both diachronic and synchronic aspect. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies Studies are addressed to those interested in theoretical and philosophical superstructure field of philosophy and social sciences. Prerequisite to it is completion of studies in a Master's Degree Programme with the preferences or a related field. The graduate of doctoral programme is capable of research activity in the area of philosophy, particularly the philosophy of education. They are acquainted with ontological, gnoseological and ethical assumptions of philosophical thinking from both diachronic and synchronic aspect. They understand the habitual nature of education from the philosophical viewpoint and are able to contribute to the development of European and planetary thinking. Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Admission process consists of: - Discussion of the applicant’s own scientific work up to 10 pages including bibliography, which demonstrates their depth of focus in the research theme they would like to address in their doctoral studies. The project should include the characteristics of the research problem, the basic idea of the objectives and structure of the issue and the considered methods from theoretical, research and professional literature. - Discussion of the scientific literature from the philosophy Evaluation Criteria: The applicant can get a maximum of ten points, the number of points for the admission to study is getting at least seven points. Conditions for admission Candidates are admitted to study if they meet all admission requirements: a) to deliver a certified copy of completion of Master’s degree programme, b) to pass an entrance examination, reach minimum number of point... [-]

PhD in Special Education

Campus Full time Part time 4 years September 2017 Czech Republic Prague + 1 more

The graduate of the doctoral study program Special education is equipped with theoretical knowledge and research skills in the area of special education. The graduate is prepared to work in the area of scientific research and participate in the education of university students. [+]

Characteristics of the Studies Content of doctoral studies focuses mostly on the increase of participation of people with disabilities in the society as well as the improvement of quality of their lives. Special attention is given to social aspects. The PhD Study Programme offers education in wide spectrum of special-education disciplines. Students of the programme are prepared to develop the scientific discipline of special education in the above mentioned new prospective and to solve up-to-date problems related to quality of life of people with disabilities. Individual courses also cover topical aspects of special education in the international context. Research activities should preferably cover: Early age including special educational diagnostics and intervention Family with a disabled child and its position in the society Social, cultural and occupational integration of people with disabilities, including integration of pupils and students with special needs into the mainstream basic schools Development of special educational and social rehabilitation methods, techniques and procedures Changes in approach of general public to people with disabilities Development of the system of special education, its main structural parts, including the development of the theory of life quality of people with disabilities Description of the entrance examination and evaluation criteria Entrance Examination Discussion about the dissertation/thesis. The project (including bibliography) of up to 10 pages on the candidate´s selected specialized topic must be sent together with the application for doctoral studies and it should include the characteristics of the research problem, the basic idea of the goals and structure of the issue... [-]
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