Social Education

The aim of the doctoral study program in Social Pedagogy is to prepare students (doctoral candidates) for scientific work in an academic environment as well as for professional employment outside the educational sphere. At the academic level, graduates of the study program can independently define a scientific field, explain current trends and findings in the field, and apply research methods to phenomena of everyday social reality. A key aspect of the study program's content is its emphasis on anchoring scientific knowledge within an interdisciplinary context. On a non-academic level, graduates of the study program can apply the social skills they have acquired during their PhD studies through compulsory internships abroad and through the outputs they have produced, particularly in mandatory elective courses.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the graduate is able to:

• understand academic theories, concepts, and methods that represent current issues and trends in the field at the international level;
• apply knowledge and skills from the field of social pedagogy in non-academic educational settings;
• plan and carry out social pedagogical research;
• present the results of their research to the professional community, either orally or in writing (studies, textbooks, chapters in books, monographs, presentations at domestic and international conferences, workshops, and invited lectures);
• critically reflect on, analyse and evaluate the results of their own research activities in relation to educational reality and events in the society;
• develop the field of social pedagogy in a broader interdisciplinary community (cooperate with experts from other institutions on a national and international scale), or in different areas (e.g., at the political level, in educational practice, etc.).

Graduates are primarily expected to find employment in academia, specifically in the field of social sciences. This field is represented by departments of social pedagogy or pedagogy at faculties of education, philosophy, natural sciences, and other faculties that teach pedagogical disciplines. Social pedagogues are prepared for educational, counselling, resocialization, planning, and organizational activities. We therefore expect graduates to find employment in various academic organizations and research (development) workplaces, including those in the fields of social counselling, leisure, management, the non-profit sector, ministries of education, justice, and the interior, as well as in school practice.

The practical training of doctoral students is specifically tailored to the development of research and scientific skills and knowledge. This nature of practical training is reinforced by regular feedback and reflection under the supervision of supervisors and the guarantor of the study program. The study curriculum and study opportunities at the department include numerous practice-oriented activities. Doctoral students gain practical experience in teaching and outdoor courses as lecturers, through participation in departmental projects, or by organising educational events (such as the traditional Department Symposium) as organisers. Practical subjects also include the internationalisation subject "Research Internship Abroad" and compulsory elective subjects.

For a successful completion of the study programme a dissertation has to be submitted which may have theoretical, methodological or empirical character (or a combination of the above).

Theoretical dissertations present various theoretical approaches to selected issues from the field of social education; a high level of abstract and analytical thinking and insight is necessary. An example of a theoretical dissertation is a metatheoretical analysis of selected issues within the social field.

Methodological dissertations analyze various research approaches, methods or tools and evaluate their use in the research field. Methodological dissertations may present modifications of research approaches or new original approaches.

Empirical dissertations present specific research findings reached using specific research methods. The students apply research methods which lead them to research findings and conclusions.

Detailed information regarding graduate theses may be found in the relevant guidelines issued by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University.