Master’s academic studies for the education of teachers in preschool institutions last one year (60 ECTS credits), i.e. two semesters of 30 ECTS credits, and can be enrolled by students who have completed basic academic studies in the amount of 240 ECTS credits at the State University in Novi Pazar and students of appropriate other faculty, and in accordance with the DUNP Statute. Upon completion of the master’s academic studies, the title of master educator is acquired. The study program has one compulsory subject (Academic Writing), a group of main subjects in the first elective block Contemporary Methodical Directions from which to choose two of the four subjects offered (they determine the research area of the master’s thesis), and another group of optional subjects with two subjects offered, one of which is chosen, which contributes to the development of competencies in the chosen area of training. The creation of the master’s thesis is planned for the second semester of study. Master’s academic studies are aligned with contemporary concepts of preschool education and of education in preschool institutions and enable the training of students for integrating knowledge from the sciences of education and upbringing in preschool age and their application in independent professional work, as well as for researching educational practice, applying the results in improving one’s own practice and communicating the results in professional communication in country and abroad.
The purpose of the study program is the education of educators at the level of master’s academic studies, which ensure the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for successful independent performance of vocations in the conditions of modern society, increased standards of education and constantly increasing requirements regarding the expertise of educators in preschool institutions. Contemporary tendencies in the education of educators in the broader framework of European and world education of space go in the direction of increasing the requirements concerning the competence of educators due to the increasingly complex general and specific conditions in which the upbringing and education of young generations takes place today. It is insisted on raising the general and professional level of education of educators, high-quality didactic-methodical training for work in different domains and segments of education. activities of the preschool institution. At the level of master’s academic studies, it is necessary to master the skills and procedures of research work, as well as the skills of academic writing through the development of awareness of the procedures and phases of scientific research work: conceptualization, research planning, methodology, data analysis, text formatting skills and evaluation of results. During their studies, students expand and improve existing knowledge and abilities and build appropriate skills that will enable them to independently and they critically reflect on their own pedagogic practice, to research it and improve and further develop it on that basis, as well as to monitor contemporary achievements in the field of didactic-methodological sciences and positive experiences of good pedagogic practice. At this level of study, the student needs to increase professional competences acquired in basic studies and to qualitatively improve them, raise them to a higher level. The inclusion of students in research tasks through study-research work and the preparation of the final master’s thesis will contribute to this. The purpose of the study program is the development of aptitudes and the ability to be involved in teamwork, improvement of the qualification structure of the population, satisfaction of the need for professional and qualified personnel in the field of preschool education.
The goals of the study program are:
– to acquire and transfer knowledge and skills in the field of contemporary scientific achievements, methodological theories and new methodological approaches to educational work with children of preschool age,
– development of abilities and mastery of skills necessary for scientific research work and critical reflection of one’s own practice,
– getting to know the wider streams of upbringing and education
in the context of personality development of preschool children,
– mastering modern scientific approaches to educational work in the chosen fields (language, literature, fine and musical arts, mathematics, physical and health education, informatics), as well as establishing their mutual correlations,
– mastering the skills of practical use and application of information technologies,
– ability for further self-education.
By mastering the study program of master’s academic studies for teacher education, the student will receive the necessary professional, didactic-methodical and pedagogical-psychological competences for the successful implementation of educational work with children of preschool age in preschool institutions in accordance with modern standards of educational work. This implies the ability to further independently acquire knowledge, understanding important concepts in the wider domain of pedagogical sciences, competent and rational planning, designing and implementation of educational work in preschool institution; planning and organizing methodological research (independent and team) in order to improve educational practice; critical monitoring and application of novelties in the field of didactics and methodology, especially in solving more complex problems in educational work. Students will be trained to apply modern information technologies in solving practical problems in educational work and personal development. Learning outcomes:
– the ability to independently plan, design and implement various forms of educational work in a preschool institution:
– the ability to analyze, evaluate and improve educational work;
– the ability to plan and organize methodical research;
– the ability to monitor, integrate and apply professional and scientific achievements in the field of pedagogy in educational areas in preschool institutions;
– the ability to design professional and scientific papers in the field of preschool education methodology.