Doctoral Study Programme Title: Lifelong Education and Educational Sciences
Academic Domain: 7.0 Interdisciplinary Academic Domain
Academic Field: 7.01 Educational Sciences
Study Programme Duration: 3 years
Academic Degree Awarded: PhD in Educational Sciences
Programme Head: Prof. Marko Badrić, PhD
e-mail: marko.badric@ufzg.hr
Deputy Programme Head: Prof. Tajana Ljubin Golub, PhD
e-mail: tajana.ljubingolub@ufzg.hr
Doctoral and Postgraduate Specialist Programme Council:
- Prof. Marko Badrić, PhD
- Prof. Tajana Ljubin Golub, PhD
- Assoc. Prof. Tamara Jurkić Sviben, PhD, MFA
- Asst. Prof. Martina Mičija, PhD, Vice-Dean for Teaching and Student Affairs
- Prof. Emer. Majda Rijavec, PhD
- Assoc. Prof. Tomislav Topolovčan, PhD
- Sr. Lect. Tomislav Cvrtila – Student Representative for Doctoral Candidates
The total workload comprises 180 ECTS credits. The first and second semesters follow a core curriculum, whereas the third to sixth semesters are individualised for each doctoral candidate. Methodological and epistemological competencies are acquired in the first semester via three compulsory modules (Research Methodology in Educational Sciences, Qualitative Research Methods in Educational Sciences, and Quantitative Research Methods in Educational Sciences – totalling 30 ECTS credits). In the second semester, students complete two compulsory courses (Multivariate Analysis in Educational Sciences and Research and Development of Educational Curricula) and select a third compulsory course from two available options (Lifelong Developmental Psychology or Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Research in Kinesiological Education), depending on their research area. Throughout the first four semesters, all students must actively participate in transferable skills workshops (Literature Searching and Reference Management, Categorisation of Scientific and Professional Papers, Database Research and Academic Writing).
In the third semester, doctoral candidates select five (5) elective courses within their specific research area. The third semester is aligned with the candidates’ distinct research interests. Upon enrolment, each doctoral candidate is assigned an academic study advisor based on their stated research interests. The fourth, fifth, and sixth semesters focus on individual collaboration between the candidate and their academic study advisor (and subsequently, their supervisor) to formulate the research proposal, conduct the study, and draft the doctoral dissertation.
The doctoral programme includes 130 hours of direct instruction, equivalent to 90 ECTS credits. This total comprises 90 hours allocated to compulsory courses and 40 hours to elective courses. Direct instruction workload in the first and second semesters totals 90 hours (30 ECTS credits), distributed across lectures, research seminars, and workshops. Elective instructional workload in the third semester totals 40 hours (30 ECTS credits). The elective courses focus on individualised, collaborative work between the candidate and the professor. The formulation of the topic, the research proposal, and the doctoral dissertation itself account for 70 ECTS credits. The remaining 20 ECTS credits are allocated to other academic activities: attending transferable skills workshops, participating in research proposal development sessions, and presenting at an international scientific conference, verified by an official certificate of attendance.
Prior to the dissertation defence, candidates must publish, or have accepted for publication, at least one paper in an international or domestic scientific journal indexed in Web of Science (WoS) or Scopus, or two A2-categorised papers indexed in databases specified by the Ordinance on Requirements for Academic Rank Advancement in the relevant scientific field. The candidate must be the sole author or the principal/first author (of up to three co-authors), and the paper’s topic must align with the doctoral dissertation. Each paper may qualify only one doctoral candidate.
Admission Requirements: Eligible applicants must hold a degree from one of the following pre-existing or current study programmes:
- Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Study Programme in Primary Teacher Education
- Graduate University Study Programme in Early Childhood and Preschool Education
- Graduate University Teacher Education Study Programmes in other academic fields;
- Graduate study programme at a teacher education faculty under older study programmes, legally equated with academic titles awarded under the current study programme system.
- Admission is also extended to other professionals holding non-teaching degrees who have acquired a teaching licence for primary schools, secondary schools, and youth/adult lifelong education by completing supplementary pedagogical, psychological, didactic, and methodological training (a 60-ECTS programme or equivalent).
Additional Requirements:
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 at the graduate level and/or two Letters of Recommendation from university professors;
- Proficiency in one additional language sufficient for utilising relevant academic literature (B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – CEFR; official certificate required);
Demonstrated motivation for scientific research (interview combined with the submission and oral presentation of a preliminary research proposal).
Tuition Fee per Semester: EUR 1,459.95
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