Special Education, long-cycle studies
Long-cycle studies in Special Education allow to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge about human development, to learn about the causes of organic, psychological and social deviations from the norm. As part of the programme, students acquire competencies in care, upbringing, educating, and therapy of people with disabilities. As part of the programme (aside from acquiring and developing understanding and competencies in humanities, including competences in teaching and special education) students acquire:
- extensive knowledge regarding disabilities, development, diagnosis, education, and therapy of people with disabilities;
- thorough knowledge regarding medical, psychological, social and cultural mechanisms of the functioning of people with disabilities;
- specialised competencies in teaching methods (including communication competencies) regarding special education;
- skills to create an environment conducive to the development of people with disabilities;
- specialised competencies required in the field of rehabilitation, education, and therapy.
As part of the studies, students achieve educational outcomes specified in the latest binding resolutions, which allow graduates to acquire qualifications and competencies expected by employers in the labour market.
Curriculum of the programme serves to holistically prepare students for employment in the areas of care, therapy, and education of people with disabilities. The programme trains future employees of: public education sector (pre-schools, schools, school and education centres, psychological and pedagogical counselling centres, and other specialised centres undertaking care, education, and therapy of people with special educational needs); family, work, and social policy sector (occupational therapy workshops, residential homes, day-care centres, and other care and social rehabilitation centres for people with disabilities), and non-governmental organisations specialising in helping and supporting people with disabilities (e.g. management, therapy, subject teaching). Completing the programme entitles graduates to undertake postgraduate studies in teacher training, and acquire additional qualifications and competencies.
Duration of studies is five years (ten semesters). Studies are conducted both full-time and part-time. Part-time studies are conducted during Sunday and Saturday meetings. The studies end with obtaining the Master’s degree.
Majors chosen after the second semester:
Education of People with Intellectual Disabilities
The major is oriented towards people who want to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge of origins, pathomechanisms, and symptoms of impairments which make it difficult for a person with intellectual disabilities to function in society. The scientific knowledge and practical skills gained during internships give students an opportunity to learn the latest educational and therapeutic methods needed to monitor the educational and therapeutic process of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Students gain a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills allowing them to diagnose people with intellectual disabilities, identify effective methods and techniques of therapy for people with intellectual disabilities in the family, school and out-of-school environment, as well as to plan and provide education and rehabilitation in institutions for people with intellectual disabilities. Students learn about the latest trends in education, rehabilitation, and support for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Education: Education of People with Intellectual Disabilities shapes positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities and helps foster such attitudes in society.
Education of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The major is oriented towards people who want to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge of origins, pathomechanisms, and symptoms of impairments which make it difficult for a person with autism spectrum disorder to function in society. The theoretical competencies and practical skills gained during internships give students an opportunity to learn the latest educational and therapeutic methods needed to monitor the educational and therapeutic process of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Students of Special Education: Education of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder acquire a wide range of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and competencies allowing them to carry out observation, diagnose people with autism spectrum disorder, recognise complex care, upbringing, educational, and therapeutic situations, correctly determine further course of action, select effective methods and techniques of therapy in the family, school, and out-of-school environment, as well as to plan and provide education and rehabilitation in institutions for people with autism spectrum disorder. Students learn about the latest trends in education, rehabilitation, and support of people with autism spectrum disorder. Studies in Special Education: Education of People with Autism Spectrum Disorder shape positive attitudes towards people with autism spectrum disorder, develop sensitivity to the problems of people with autism spectrum disorder and their families, and help foster such attitudes in society.
Information on qualifications: Studies in Special Education prepare to exercise the profession of a teacher.