Branch programme/details

Doctoral study is designed as a preparation of researchers in the field of educational and school psychology, who will participate in the development of psychological theory and research through independent creative activities. Doctoral study will deepen the knowledge in the field with the application of Czech and foreign knowledge and research results, will further extend the methodological and research skills and competences of doctoral students, as well as presentation skills, with an emphasis on educational and school psychology, other psychological disciplines and social sciences. The focus of the doctoral study is the dissertation, which has the character of the original scientific work. Through the dissertation thesis of the empirical-theoretical or theoretical research, the doctoral student gains new knowledge on the studied topic and thus enriches its scientific description and conceptualization. The dissertation is involved in the development of the field in the national and international context. The aim of the study is to prepare researchers who, in the case of further academic career at the university, gets involved in pedagogic, scientific and research activities in educational and school psychology, possibly also in related psychological disciplines and other social sciences; in case of practical psychological activity the workers will theorize the given field and encompass it into a broader professional context.

It is a program without specialization.

The basic requirement is a completed master's degree in the field of psychology education. Graduates of master's programs in related fields of education (e.g., psychology teaching, special education, etc.) may also apply, provided that they have passed a state final exam in psychology (or in specific psychological disciplines).

The admission procedure includes an entrance examination, during which the admissions committee assesses both the applicant's interest in the field and their aptitude for scientific work (e.g., the ability to use the terminology of the field, formulate an initial research hypothesis, and propose a research methodology) and for a planned academic career. Along with the application, the applicant submits a 10 standard page written dissertation project proposal on a topic related to educational and school psychology, as well as a list of professional literature studied. The project must include a description and justification of the topic, formulation of the initial hypothesis/research questions, research schedule, proposed methods of data collection and analysis, an overview of foreign and domestic professional literature on the topic, and an outline of the expected outputs/contributions of the dissertation. In the subsequent discussion, the candidate will relate the topic of the dissertation to their previous experience or to a similar topic, demonstrate knowledge of the current state of the issue in domestic and foreign literature, and defend the proposed research procedure, schedule, and, in particular, the methodological aspects of the dissertation task, including the identification of risks and their minimization. 

Applicants may choose their own topic related to educational and school psychology, or they may choose from the topics offered on the Department of Psychology website, where a suitable supervisor is already recommended. 

Evaluation criteria: To be admitted to full-time study, applicants must obtain the minimum number of points to pass the entrance exam and also obtain the minimum number of points required for admission. The minimum number of points for admission to individual study programs is set by the dean based on the results of the entrance exams, taking into account the estimated number of applicants to be admitted and the economic and capacity possibilities of the faculty. The minimum number of points for successful completion of the entrance exam for full-time study is set at 7 out of 10 points.

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

A graduate of the doctoral programme in Educational and School Psychology is an expert in the field of education who is able to apply the acquired theoretical, methodological and research knowledge and skills in an independent and creative way. He/she is equipped for individual and group scientific work in the field of educational and school psychology and related disciplines. He or she can be employed as a teacher or researcher at a university, as a psychologist-practitioner in an educational setting (counselling psychologist, school psychologist, psychologist in social care institutions) with a higher level of scientific competence if the doctoral study is related to the completed undergraduate study programme in psychology. The acquired knowledge, skills and competences enable him/her to work professionally in a wide range of occupations, where he/she applies deep professional and methodological knowledge of psychology, critical thinking and professional insight.