Andragogy

Cílem studia je připravit odborníky pro odbornou a koncepční práci v oblasti celoživotního učení a vzdělávání dospělých. Absolvent studijního oboru Andragogika disponuje širokým spektrem znalostí vědního oboru, zná jeho principy a strukturu a rovněž i souvislosti s příbuznými obory. Absolvent navazujícího magisterského studia Andragogiky je připraven pro odbornou a koncepční práci v oblasti celoživotního učení a vzdělávání dospělých. Rovněž disponuje znalostmi a dovednostmi v plánování, realizaci i vyhodnocení andragogického výzkumu.

Studium mj. klade důraz na přípravu profesně zdatných absolventů, kteří budou znalí praxe vzdělávání dospělých, kompetenčně vybaveni pro celou škálu profesních aktivit, orientující se na mezinárodní úrovni, tzn. zaměstnatelné na konkurenčním trhu vzdělávání.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• Work conceptually in the field of lifelong learning and adult education.
• Lead, manage and evaluate educational and learning activities for adults and to plan an educational course in all its phases.
• Choose adequate didactic and methodological approaches and know how to use such specific approaches as e-learning, personal and social development.
• Characterize and evaluate theories, concepts, and methods of contemporary knowledge acquisition in andragogy (and related) disciplines relevant to the teaching/learning process of adult education.
• Understand both national and European educational policies and practice.
• Understand both qualitative and quantitative research designs and is capable of applying them in research, evaluation, and developmental work.
• Analyse educational needs of various target groups in adult education.
• Employ project management principles in developing and implementing educational projects.
• Apply knowledge of human resources management systems in the organization when selecting, locating and evaluating staff.
• Apply knowledge of basic issues of labor relations in education and in human resources management.
• Recognize the need for counseling and advise adult career guidance services.

The graduates of the master‘s programme in Andragogy are prepared for expert and conceptual work in the area of lifelong learning and education of adults. Since the graduates of the programme master adequate didactic and methodological approaches to adult education, they are capable of individual planning, managing, realisation, and evaluation of multifaceted educational activities targeted at adults. In addition, graduates possess advanced knowledge and skills in empirical research methodology across the range of fundamental research designs.

Practical training accompanied by supervision is an obligatory part of the curriculum for this field to an extent of 100 hours. The aim of practical training is to open a space for students to gain practical skills and competencies for a work in adult education. The presentation of students‘ own work and a reflection are part of the practical training. The practical training is implemented in cooperation with contracted partners. Most of the partners are working together to implement the practical training on a long-term basis. For example, the public administration bodies are represented by the South Moravian Region government, educational institutions by Jan Amos Komensky Academy or the "Center for Education for All", the employers' organizations are represented by Zetor, a.s., among others.

The recommended length for a bachelor’s major thesis is 120 000 to 200 000 characters.

The text should keep to the one main topic expressed in the title. It should present the current state of knowledge of the topic. Source literature should be up-to-date and representative. The principal arguments should be cogent. The text should be terminologically consistent and terminology should be appropriate. The thesis should have clear conclusions.

The analysed sample and method used should be sufficiently described. A quantitative or qualitative method should be appropriately selected. The presentation of results should be understandable. The interpretation and discussions should be appropriate and correct. Tables should be done well, and be clear and understandable.

An integral part of the thesis is an illustration of data material collected (in the thesis appendix). For qualitative research, this involves the insertion of three to five pages of interview transcript or field notes; for quantitative research it involves the insertion of three to five scanned filled in questionnaires. The data must be made anonymous, i.e. actual names must be replaced by pseudonyms. Where other research procedures and methods are used, the illustration of data material collected should be consulted with the thesis supervisor.

Text: clearly and logically structured with suitable choice of chapters and meaningful linking of theoretical and application or empirical sections. Major and minor theses are written in first person singular.

Theoretical section: demonstrates the ability to work independently with a representative sample of Czech and foreign language literature, expresses his own substantiated position.

Empirical section: demonstrates the ability to understand the research undertaken, shows methodological consideration and the ability to understandably, meaningfully and clearly present the results of research.

After completion of the Master's degree studies, it is possible to continue further studies in any programme of the Doctoral studies (after satisfying the admission requirements) in the field of educational sciences.