Pedagogy and Contemporary School Culture - Filozofski fakultet Osijek

Doctoral Study Programme in Pedagogy

Name of the doctoral study programme: Pedagogy and Contemporary School Culture

Level of study: University doctoral study programme

Duration of study: 3 years / 6 semesters

ECTS credits awarded upon completion: 180 ECTS credits

Academic degree awarded upon completion: Doctor of Philosophy in the scientific area of social sciences, scientific field of pedagogy

About the study programme: The Doctoral Study Programme in Pedagogy and Contemporary School Culture aims to educate experts who will understand, study and develop pedagogy as a contemporary science of education by advancing knowledge of educational and socialisation processes through the implementation of new knowledge and skills; participate in the dissemination of scientific achievements in the field of pedagogical science by researching and describing various aspects of education on both a scientific and theoretical as well as practical basis; and, ultimately, competently respond to the new demands of an exceptionally challenging labour market. Through an attractive, innovative, interdisciplinary and unique programme and through the synergy of academic and entrepreneurial approaches, the study programme seeks to respond to the needs of a dynamic labour market, contribute to strengthening the education sector, which must form the foundation for the development of a contemporary democratic knowledge society, and educate competent, independent, responsible and highly motivated researchers who will contribute to the development of pedagogical science and participate in the further advancement of educational sciences. The postgraduate doctoral study programme in pedagogy is based on competitive scientific research and the competencies required for the development of a knowledge-based society. At the national level, the proposed study programme is unique and original and stems from several fundamental premises: 1) pedagogy, as a social science, is primarily focused on the scientific study of education, the school system and the national curriculum and, as such, represents one of the national strategic priorities of the Republic of Croatia; 2) contemporary pedagogical science is one of the particularly dynamic scientific fields today, both in terms of the number of scientific studies and its share in the funding of social science research; 3) the innovative character of the postgraduate doctoral study programme in pedagogy is reflected in its content-rich, thematically current, organisationally modern and methodologically diverse curriculum based on the constant and rapid changes occurring in the world of open science; 4) the doctoral study programme in pedagogy follows the concept of similar programmes worldwide, while at the same time incorporating characteristics specific to the tradition of Croatian pedagogy; 5) the study programme seeks to reflect a contemporary and interdisciplinary scientific approach to pedagogical phenomena and to encourage each student, within the framework of their personal professional and scientific considerations, interests, motivations and practice, to identify individual areas of focus that will ultimately be expressed through the selection, preparation and defence of their doctoral dissertation. As one of the key prerequisites for improving the quality of the teaching process, the Faculty strives for a balanced increase in the number of qualified and competent teachers holding scientific-teaching positions, which necessarily requires the integration of the teaching process with the institution’s other activities, primarily scientific research and professional work.

A content and structural analysis of the programmes and organisation of the compared postgraduate doctoral study programmes reveals a strong focus on the theoretical and methodological study and research of primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education within related pedagogical areas and topics. The programme enables students to conduct in-depth research into the social, historical and cultural context of issues related to contemporary education and socialisation. The methodology and curriculum content are based on a holistic approach to education, providing opportunities to apply the principles of ecological analysis, integration, complementarity and critical evaluation of dynamic global and local trends in contemporary education.

Competencies acquired upon completion of the study programme and employment opportunities: In accordance with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Croatian Qualifications Framework (CROQF), according to which doctoral study represents the highest level of education, students are expected to achieve four fundamental characteristics of learning outcomes through the study programme: 1) level, i.e. the complexity of competencies corresponding to Level 8 of the qualifications framework; 2) volume, i.e. the overall amount of competencies required for that level; 3) professional profile; 4) quality, i.e. the reliability and credibility of the statement confirming completion of the doctoral study programme contained in the official qualification document. All components of this doctoral study programme are delivered at Level 8 of the qualifications framework. Doctoral students acquire the highest level of competencies relating to the creation and evaluation of new facts that extend the boundaries of knowledge, the development of social skills, and independence and responsibility in their work. Upon completion of the Postgraduate Doctoral Study Programme in Pedagogy, students are expected to demonstrate systematic knowledge of the field and methods of work in education. In addition to the ability to conduct independent research and design educational activities, they are expected to have developed communication and presentation skills, as well as skills in planning, designing and managing projects in the field of educational processes. The postgraduate doctoral study programme in pedagogy is expected to prepare experts who, by raising the quality of expert knowledge in the field of study, will be able to make a direct contribution to the quality of the Croatian education system and society. Upon completion of the study programme, doctoral graduates will be able to participate on an equal footing in interdisciplinary research teams, approach problems from a research perspective, study them using sound methodological foundations and provide informed interpretations of issues requiring or benefiting from pedagogical expertise. They will be qualified to conduct independent scientific research in the field of educational sciences, investigate general and specific pedagogical issues from various areas of pedagogical theory and practice, and participate in scientific research projects in Croatia and abroad. Upon completion of the doctoral study programme in pedagogy, students will be able to conduct independent scientific research in the field of educational sciences. The theoretical foundations, scientific research orientation and interdisciplinary approach of the doctoral study programme enable graduates to independently investigate general and specific pedagogical issues from various areas of pedagogical theory and practice, participate in scientific research projects in Croatia and abroad, and demonstrate:

the ability to generate and interpret new knowledge through original research and the publication of their own research results
the ability to systematically understand the essence of the scientific field in which the student works
the ability to systematically understand the essence of the applied scientific field of research in which the student works
the ability to apply knowledge in developing concepts and in designing and implementing projects that will generate new knowledge, applications and understanding
the ability to make an original contribution to the body of knowledge, verified through publication in nationally and internationally recognised publications
the ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise new and complex ideas
the ability to form judgements on complex issues within the framework of relevant social, scientific and ethical responsibility
the ability to present the conclusions and results of original research to professional and general audiences in a clear and effective manner
the development of skills for employment and self-employment
readiness to address new challenges facing society and the economy

The academic degree and ECTS credits acquired will enable doctoral graduates to undertake postdoctoral training through shorter and longer programmes in Croatia and abroad as part of lifelong learning. The doctoral study programme in pedagogy is designed to ensure the acquisition of competencies for a variety of careers requiring experts at Level 8 of the qualifications framework, in both the public and private sectors. In contemporary Croatian society, the following institutions and organisations in both the public and private sectors can be identified as requiring highly educated experts in the field of pedagogy: areas ranging from primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education, scientific research, higher education and cultural institutions, university and specialised libraries and archives, to state administration, local government units, development agencies, social work, health and social care, various associations and organisations related to education, publishing and advertising activities, public relations management, media content creation and the organisation of leisure activities. Doctoral students enrolled in this postgraduate doctoral study programme will be able to conduct theoretical and empirical research in the field of educational sciences, analyse and conceptualise important issues in contemporary pedagogy and interdisciplinary fields, and contribute to the further development of research topics by publishing scientific papers at national and international levels.