Branch programme/details

The Graduate Program in Social Work prepares top social work professionals who are proficient in research methods and can develop concepts, strategies, and evaluations for the development of social work programs, policies, and services.
Given social and demographic changes, the need for professionals who are able to conceptualise, strategise and evaluate the development of social programmes, policies and services of which social work is a part will increase.
It is designed for graduates of various disciplines of the Master of Social Work programme. It is also open to graduates of related disciplines who have experience in social problem-solving or work in the social services or social policy sector and have a background in research and conceptual work. The openness of the programme to international cooperation is underlined by the requirement of language competence of applicants, the participation of foreign experts in the field council and the recommended study abroad (preferably for a semester).
The members of the subject board and the supervisors work closely with both governmental authorities and non-profit sector organisations in their roles as experts and researchers, and continuously bring their experience to the direction of the programme and the content of the dissertations. The members of the Board are also foreign experts who contribute to anchoring the academic direction of the programme in the broader context of the development of European society.

The oral entrance examination consists of:
1. a professional debate on the submitted dissertation project: 0-30 points;
2. an assessment of the candidate's professional activities to date: 0-10 points;
3. demonstration of knowledge of the study of the literature: 0-15 points;
4. demonstration of foreign language competence (in a short debate on the dissertation project in English): 0-5 points.

The interview questions verify the candidate's eligibility for the dissertation project and focus mainly on the chosen topic of the research project. The quality of the theoretical and methodological elaboration of the applicant's research plan is an important criterion for the admission decision. The admissions committee also takes into account the relevance of the topic of the research project to the field of Social Work and the long-term focus of the scientific activities of the departments/faculties, as well as the applicant's linguistic ability to study. A total of 60 points can be obtained in the entrance examination. A candidate who obtains less than 16 points in the evaluation of the debate on the dissertation research project cannot be admitted. The Dean will set the score threshold for admission based on the result of the admission procedure and taking into account the economic and capacity possibilities of the faculty.

The following attachments are part of the application form:
- Dissertation project (recommended parts: outline of the research problem and research questions, overview of the current state of research, explanation of the chosen methodology and research techniques, proposed approach to the problem, list of relevant literature, research timetable, explanation of the relevance of the topic to the Social Work study programme); recommended length of the project: 10 NS; the project must include a proposal of the supervisor (name), selected from the list of supervisors approved by the departmental board, and the project must be developed together with the supervisor;
- written consent of the supervisor to supervise the dissertation project, which will be included in the application form as a separate attachment;
- a brief professional CV;
- a list of the literature that the candidate has studied with regard to his/her individual interest and the chosen topic of the dissertation project;
- other relevant documents (e.g. a list of the applicant's publications to date, proof of having passed a state examination or an internationally recognised certificate in a world language, proof of scientific experience at home or abroad, etc.).

Admission to Doctoral studies is conditioned by successful completion of a Master's study programme.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	11.06.2025	Until:	20.06.2025
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	25.06.2025	Until:	27.06.2025

The graduate of the doctoral programme comprehends research methods and their application in the fields of social work. In particular, he/she is able to apply adequate methods to analyse complex social problems, management of community care and services, and assess difficult personal or work-related situations. He/she is able to conduct research, formulate policies and teach at colleges in the fields of social protection, social work theory and methods, as well as clinical supervision, ethical oversight, probation and victim-offender mediation and other fields using social work. He/she is able to coordinate policy work and analysis at management positions in social protection or criminal justice institutions, NGOs and businesses, where social work participates.

The graduate will find employment as a social worker:
-in research and educational activities at universities
-in research, social counselling and training of workers in social programmes
-as an expert in research and training centres for social work in relevant services
-in evaluation and planning for change and development in individuals, teams and service organisations
-in evaluating and planning for change in the social work sector, both public and private