| Title of the study programme | Ph.D. programme in Pedagogy |
| Type of study programme | Doctoral programme |
| Form of study programme | Regular |
| Duration | Three years for scientific trainees and assistants employed at higher education institutions and scientific institutes. Five years for doctoral students studying whilst employed at other institutions or in business. |
| ECTS points | 180 ECTS |
| Academic qualification | Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences |
About the Programme
The doctoral programme in Pedagogy is a modern programme that aims to train highly specialised experts and researchers who are interested in the research and development of educational systems. The study programme is aligned with the recommendations of key international institutions that follow and dictate the trends of doctoral studies in pedagogy and the educational sciences. The programme is compatible with similar study programmes, both in Croatia and internationally, but is especially adapted to the real needs, problems and challenges of the education system, about which students on the programme will research, develop, and suggest further innovations. The study programme is dynamic and encourages teamwork and cooperation with external institutions and respected scientific-research teams. The programme fosters an individual approach and provides candidates with professional guidance throughout the duration of the studies.
The need to start a postgraduate doctoral study programme in Pedagogy at the University of Rijeka was recognised because of the continuous wide-reaching reforms of the educational system, whose design, implementation, and analysis requires highly competent professionals in the education sector. In the last few years, a number of major educational reforms have been carried out at all levels (preschool, primary, secondary and higher education), which were stimulated by the need to harmonise the Croatian education system with other national systems as a part of European/international integration (for example, the introduction of HNOS, NOK, the State Baccalaureate program, the Bologna Process, the implementation of the PISA survey and already announced future reforms and projects). Such reforms require the education system to further adapt and develop and subsequently highly specialised professionals are needed to be able lead and carry out this work. This work needs to be done in line with these new professional challenges, where educational policies must be based on research data and its analysis. Bearing in mind the strategic priorities of the Republic of Croatia and the interest in fostering a knowledge-based society, it is important to emphasise that knowledge from the educational sciences offers the foundation for the realisation of these key strategic areas and goals.
The education system is a complex sector in which several different professional activities take place simultaneously (for example, preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education; lifelong and adult education; education and training for different categories of students; home schooling and at other educational institutions; staff development in companies; consideration of key issues of educational policies in state and local government offices, school management, etc.). In the planning, researching, and development of pedagogical activities, each branch of the education system requires its own unique approach. From the wide range of research areas that are on offer, students can choose and make an in-depth study of those areas that are of particular interest to them. In doing so, they will follow fundamental and most up-to-date knowledge in the educational sciences.
During their studies, students can cooperate and work with key institutions that manage, or have an interest in, the education sector. They can also closely collaborate with civil society institutions, both in teaching and in scientific research since the activities of these institutions touch upon the activities of upbringing and education in a broader sense. There is also a need to cooperate with units of local government when implementing teaching and scientific-research work, and a cooperation agreement has been signed with the Department of Education at the City of Rijeka. Special attention is also placed on strengthening cooperation with the Agency for Education and inclusion into the system of lifelong (postgraduate) education of teachers and professional associates in primary and secondary schools. A cooperation agreement has also been signed between the Agency for Education and the University of Rijeka. Similar initiatives are planned for other relevant institutions.
Through participating in the work of existing scientific-research projects and the work of research teams, participants acquire basic competences in research work and are also trained in the design of their own research projects and establish communication with researchers, both in Croatia and internationally. In this way, each new generation of candidates on the postgraduate doctoral programme will make a significant contribution to the university’s research community and strengthen the research potential of the entire education system.
Competences acquired and possibilities for employment
Competences related to scientific research
Graduates of the doctoral programme in Pedagogy will refine their existing competences and develop new ones related to the organisation, implementation, and application of the results of their empirical research. Special attention will be paid to the acquisition of competences related to working in research teams and being actively involved in the international research community.
It is expected that after completing the doctoral programme in Pedagogy, candidates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the scientific (disciplinary) field of study and master skills and research methods in the fields of pedagogy and/or the educational sciences.
- Demonstrate the ability to conceive, design, implement and adapt the scientific research process.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, original, and publishable research in the fields of pedagogy and/or the educational sciences.
- Based on original research, contribute to scientific knowledge production by offering publications in national or international publications,
- Participate in the work of scientific research teams and design new scientific research projects,
- Critically analyse, evaluate, and synthesise new and complex research ideas,
- Communicate with colleagues, the wider scientific community, and the wider social context about their areas of expertise.
Competences related to the development of professional knowledge and skills
Whilst studying on the doctoral programme in Pedagogy, participants will build on the acquired knowledge and skills in the field of pedagogy, i.e. educational sciences, expand their knowledge of theoretical approaches to the study of selected topics, and interpret the results of contemporary research in their chosen professional field. They will also become acquainted with, and analyse, contemporary techniques and methods that are applied in professional practice. In this way, they will be able to suggest innovations to improve these practices.
It is expected that after the doctoral programme in Pedagogy, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate newly acquired knowledge in the field of pedagogy, i.e. educational sciences, which can help them to improve their professional practice in the fields of upbringing and education,
- Assess their professional practice based on the data they have gathered through empirical research,
- Analyse and critique professional practices in the fields of upbringing and education,
- Apply and develop a number of professional techniques, skills, instruments, and methods that are characteristic for specific professional fields and understand their theoretical foundations,
- Understand the roles and different perspectives of participants in a professional environment,
- Consider and analyse several case studies in the field of professional practice,
- Research and comment on ethical dilemmas regarding professional practice,
- Demonstrate personal responsibility, show independence and initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional and similar contexts in the fields of upbringing and education,
- Critically consider wider applications of professional knowledge in specific professional and educational contexts,
- Consider and reflect on social norms and relationships in their specific educational area and lead changes in activities,
- Communicate the results of their research and innovations to their colleagues,
- In academic and professional contexts, promote technological, social, and cultural progress in society.
Competences related to social/public activity
It is expected that during the doctoral study programme in Pedagogy, participants will be actively involved in observing and reflecting on wider social and professional practice. In this context, it is expected that candidates will take an active role in responding to existing situations in the professional context, choose appropriate forms of professional and public activity and take the appropriate steps to demonstrate their public professional engagement. Candidates on the doctoral study programme in Pedagogy will acquire the following competences:
- To be able to answer and react to current professional problems and practices by proposing adequate solutions and approaches,
- To be able to engage in critical dialogue with other participants in the wider professional environment,
- To be able to lead and create complex processes in their own professional environments,
- To be able to demonstrate critical competences, i.e. the ability to critique and engage in self-critique,
- To be able to present and publicly defend scientific research,
- To be able to demonstrate creativity and innovation in their professional environment.
Doctors of pedagogy can be employed in the following institutions:
- Higher education institutions as scientific research staff,
- Government Ministry offices, agencies and departments of local government that deal with the organisation and improvement of upbringing and education and are looking for highly trained staff, i.e., professionals for leading positions in institutions,
- In university and polytechnic managerial positions working on specific tasks (quality assurance, strategic management issues in higher education, etc.),
- Non-governmental professional organisations that work on issues related to upbringing and education.