Preschool and elementary pedagogy

Study Program: Preschool and Elementary Education

Professional and Academic Profile and Career Opportunities for Doctoral Program Graduates

Graduates of the doctoral program are qualified to conduct independent, conceptual, and creative scientific research, as well as project and development work in the field of preschool and elementary education. They understand the broader philosophical, sociocultural, and pedagogical-psychological contexts, as well as the theoretical and conceptual foundations for designing educational models and implementing them into the socialization and educational processes of children/students in the various areas of the pre-primary and primary education curriculum, including the specific didactics of individual areas of a child’s personality development (language, mathematics, early science and social studies education, arts, and physical education). Graduates are able to formulate strategies and actively participate in the continuing education of teachers and educational staff in the given field. They may hold a position as a specialized expert at a pedagogical-methodological center in the field of pre-primary and primary education or in the field of pedagogical and educational counseling.

The graduate’s profile is characterized by knowledge and skills that enable independent, creative research work, drawing on insights grounded in the current state of scientific knowledge in the field. In the theoretical domain, the doctoral student will, among other things, master the methodology of scientific work in the field, be able to navigate the broader philosophical and social science context of the field, understand the psychological aspects of educational processes and child development, and be familiar with the latest concepts of learning. They will be familiar with didactic concepts for teaching individual areas of the curriculum in pre-primary and primary education. They will expand their knowledge and abilities to professionally perceive and apply inclusive pedagogy in practice. In terms of practical skills, graduates will know and understand the theories of preschool and elementary pedagogy and their application in practice. They will master academic language and the writing of academic texts, acquire the skills to conduct academic research in the field, independently design an academic research project, learn the principles of presenting research results, and regularly present the theoretical and empirical findings of their dissertation project, etc. Graduates of the doctoral program are able to apply innovative approaches in practice, thereby contributing to the development of the relevant field of study.

Prospects of graduates

Career Opportunities for Graduates
The graduate profile and other information about the degree program are available at: https://www.ku.sk/fakulty-katolickej-univerzity/pedagogicka-fakulta/studium/doktorandske-studijne-programy.html

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Conditions of admission

Annual tuition in accordance with the current Rector’s Directive on Tuition and Study-Related Fees at the Catholic University in Ružomberok.
Admission requirements:
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a completed master’s degree,
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study program: Preschool and Elementary Education—completion of a master’s degree in the field of study 31. Teaching and Pedagogical Sciences,
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study program: Social Work—completion of the same or a related master’s degree program,
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commitment to respecting the Catholic spirit of the university and the faculty,
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active participation in the admissions interview,
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successful completion of an entrance exam focused on professional communication, assessment of skills, academic aptitude, and knowledge in the field of study,
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defense of a dissertation proposal that includes: justification for the choice of topic, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.

Additional information

The ranking of applicants will be determined based on the following rules:
If more than one applicant meets the admission requirements for a given study program, those applicants who demonstrate the highest level of academic ability in accordance with the admission requirements will be admitted.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS:
If an applicant is applying to more than one study program, they must submit a separate application for each program.
The following must be attached to the application:
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a hand-signed resume in which the applicant provides information about previous employment, or current employment if applicable, their educational background, including academic performance, and achievements in extracurricular activities related to the study program for which the applicant is applying,
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a certified copy of a master’s degree,
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a certified copy of the second-cycle state examination certificate,
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a certified copy of the supplement to the second-cycle university diploma,
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the applicant’s statement regarding the choice of a foreign language—see the template in the appendix
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documents certifying language exams taken (if the applicant has taken any)
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for applicants who obtained their second-level university degree abroad, a decision on the recognition of the foreign educational document for academic purposes,
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a dissertation proposal containing: a justification for the choice of topic, the objective, methods, a brief description of the current state of research on the topic, and the fundamental research questions,
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a list of published articles or a list of the results of other professional or artistic activities, or reviews of these works and activities,
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proof of payment of the fee, which must be affixed to page 3 of the application form. Without proof of payment, the application will not be registered. The application fee is non-refundable!
Confirmation of application registration and information regarding the next steps in the admissions process will be sent to applicants in writing.
Applicants who require special accommodations for health reasons must notify the faculty in writing when submitting their application.
Applicants who have completed a master’s degree at a foreign university must include:
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a decision on the recognition of an educational credential for academic purposes issued by a foreign university (for more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic: https://www.minedu.sk/ in the section on recognition of educational documents).
An applicant from abroad or an applicant who has completed a second-cycle university program at a foreign university must submit a decision on the recognition of their academic credential for academic purposes. This document is a basic requirement for admission to higher education pursuant to Section 56(3), and the applicant must submit it along with the application form and other required documents for the admissions process.
University Coordinator for Students with Special Needs and Counseling Coordinator:
Mgr. Lenka Horváthová, KU Counseling Center, Hrabovská cesta 1A, 034 01 Ružomberok.
We recommend that students with special needs contact the KU Counseling Center (poradna@ku.sk) to obtain reliable information about the demands and conditions of study well in advance of submitting an application for university admission.

Coordinator for students with specific needs

University Coordinator for Students with Special Needs and Counseling Coordinator:
Mgr. Lenka Horváthová, KU Counseling Center, Hrabovská cesta 1A, 034 01 Ružomberok.
We recommend that students with special needs contact the KU Counseling Center (poradna@ku.sk) to obtain reliable information about the demands and conditions of study well in advance of submitting an application for higher education.

General information on the admission exam

Admissions Process:
Study Program: Preschool and Elementary Education
1. Assessment of admission requirements for doctoral studies in the Preschool and Elementary Education study program.
2. Admission exam.
Components of the admission exam for the Preschool and Elementary Education study program:
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Written outline of the dissertation project and discussion of the dissertation project outline, professional communication, and methodological preparedness. The aim is to assess skills in written professional communication and the subsequent discussion of the dissertation project outline.
Note: The written outline of the dissertation project must be submitted along with the application for admission.
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Assessment of language skills in a selected world language (English or German). The foreign language exam is administered in written form and focuses on the translation of an academic text related to the given study program.
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Verification of general academic aptitude and knowledge in the Preschool and Elementary Education study program.
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Other possible prerequisites for doctoral study in the program include: publication activity, teaching experience, participation in a national or international project, study abroad programs, placements in faculty and national ŠVOUČ competitions, commendation from the rector and/or dean for a thesis, or outstanding academic performance during studies, and successful participation in competitions related to the relevant study program.
Admissions interviews will take place from August 24, 2026, to August 31, 2026.
The ranking of applicants will be determined based on the following rules:
If more than one applicant meets the admission requirements for a given study program, those applicants who demonstrate the highest level of academic ability in accordance with the admission requirements will be admitted.
Study Program: Social Work
1. Assessment of admission requirements.
2. Admission interview.
The purpose of the admission interview is to assess the applicant’s aptitude for independent research in the field of social work, which the applicant must demonstrate through a well-prepared proposal for a dissertation project structured as follows:
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Justification for the choice of research topic
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Current state of research in the given topic
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Proposed main objectives of the dissertation
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Proposed research methodology for the dissertation
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Expected outcomes of the dissertation applicable within the academic discipline of social work
The purpose of the dissertation proposal is to demonstrate the applicant’s general academic abilities and orientation within the field of social work.
The admissions process will include an oral exam in English, during which the applicant should demonstrate the ability to communicate in this language.
Other potential qualifications that may be taken into account for applicants to the doctoral program in Social Work include: publications, teaching experience, participation in
national or international projects, study abroad programs, placements in faculty and national ŠVOUČ competitions, commendation from the rector and/or dean for a thesis, or outstanding academic performance during their studies, and successful participation in competitions related to the relevant study program.

Form of entrance exam

Apply the application for study

31.07.2026
Performance of the entrance exam

24.08.2026 - 31.08.2026

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Anticipated number of applicants to be accepted: 2

Additions

Annual tuition fees
Standard length of study: cost free
Study longer than the standard length of study program, parallel studies: 950 €

The fee for admission procedure
application form: 40 €
E-application form: 40 €

Billing information

Fees for the admissions process:

Paper application form: Amount: 40,– € IBAN: SK86 8180 0000 0070 0022 4305 variable symbol: 1300501904 specific symbol: For citizens of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, this is the birth number without a slash. Other nationals do not need to fill in the specific symbol, but should include their first name, last name, and study program in the note to the recipient. Note to the recipient: first name, last name, study program; [Optional information for citizens of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic.]
Electronic application form: Amount: 40,– € IBAN, variable symbol, and specific symbol: The payment order will be generated by the KU electronic application form: https://e-prihlaska.ku.sk/
The electronic application will only become valid after you submit the paper application along with all supporting documents in accordance with the admission procedure guidelines.

International Payments:
Name of the intermediary bank: STATE TREASURY, Radlinského 32, 810 05 Bratislava 15
IBAN: SK86 8180 0000 0070 0022 4305 BIC: SPSRSKBA
Payee: Catholic University in Ružomberok,
Faculty of Education, Hrabovská cesta 1A,
034 01 Ružomberok

Annual tuition in accordance with the current Rector’s Directive on Tuition and Fees Associated with Study at the Catholic University in Ružomberok.

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