The Department of Primary Education of the Faculty of Education of the University of Crete organizes in the academic year 2024-25 a Postgraduate Studies Programme (M.Sc.) entitled "Education Sciences, Critical Pedagogy and Teacher Education" and awards a Diploma of Postgraduate Studies (M.Sc.) in Education Sciences, Critical Pedagogy and Teacher Education.

The MSc is offered in Greek language and awards, in addition to the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies, Pedagogical and Teaching Certificate.

During the academic year 2024-2025 a maximum of sixty-five (65) postgraduate students will be admitted to the MSc.

- To prepare students with the necessary knowledge, experience and skills in Education Sciences, Critical Pedagogy and Teacher Education, which will enable them to pursue a professional career in the field of education and in modern sectors of the labour market.

- To recruit scientists to the different educational structures (formal, non-formal and informal), cultural and museum spaces where learning and pedagogical programmes take place, other social structures and training and education programmes, in the context of Critical Pedagogy and Teacher Education.

- To prepare a qualified scientific staff that will staff in the future the schools and educational structures of the country (formal, non-formal and informal) and promote psycho-pedagogical research, learning and teaching through innovative practices and socio-educational actions ensured by a broad and academic curriculum.

- To empower students to critically connect theory, research and practical application in education and society, in order to achieve a remarkable professional and/or academic career, both in Greece and internationally.

- To contribute to the reduction of the brain drain to other countries.

- To build, through international partnerships, a spirit of openness and exchange of best practices.

The expected learning outcomes of the postgraduate programme are the following:

• Students' deep knowledge of the essential contemporary issues of school and education in the context of Critical Pedagogy and Teacher Education, and the reconstruction/redefinition of their role.
• Develop and promote psycho-pedagogical competencies, research, teaching and training methods, in line with the critical educational paradigm.
• Ability to intervene in formal, non-formal and informal structures/forms of education and training in order to change, transform and improve them.
• Ability to reflect critically on their professional, social and cultural role in the context of a postmodern critical pedagogical approach.
• Application of new/innovative methodological approaches, such as the link between art and scientific research and their application in educational practice (art-based research method).
• Understanding/interpretation of contemporary ideological-political, demographic, social, cultural, economic and educational-pedagogical challenges in the contemporary world.

The qualifications skills

The qualifications skills of the graduates of the postgraduate programme consist in the implementation of examples and best practices from Critical Pedagogy in the field of education in both formal and non-formal and informal forms and structures and more specifically: a. In school units/communities in order to promote educational and psycho-pedagogical research, learning and teaching through transformative, innovative, alternative, critical-practical and socio-educational actions and programmes. b. In various structures and forms of education, social, cultural and museum spaces, local government structures and institutions, and education and training programmes in the context of lifelong/continuous learning. c. In research centres, institutions and international scientific partnerships linking critical theory, research and its practical application in areas and fields such as education, culture and society in a constantly open and changing world (a culture of extroversion and exchange of best practices and methods).

Graduates of Higher Education or academically recognized qualifications of higher education institutions abroad are admitted to the program.

Foreign students must have sufficient knowledge of Greek, which is ensured in two ways: either they must have studied in a Greek-speaking department in Greece or abroad or they must have a certificate of Attainment in Greek of at least C1 level.

The duration for the award of the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies is defined as three (3) semesters of full-time study with the possibility of extension based on the current academic regulations.

a. The lessons are in the form of lectures, seminars, exercises/workshops, face-to-face and distance learning (synchronous - asynchronous teaching), which are divided into Compulsory and Elective courses.

b. Each course offered is credited with credits (ECTS). In particular:

Seminars are credited with 10ECTS (250 hours of workload).

Workshops/exercises are credited with 10 ECTS (250 hours of workload).

Conferences/lectures are credited with 5 ECTS (125 hours of workload).

The postgraduate thesis is credited with 30 ECTS (preparation - writing).

A minimum of ninety (90) credits (ECTS) is required for the award of the Master's degree.

c. Students are required to attend and pass seven (7) courses: five (5) Compulsory (C) and two (2) Elective (E).

The implementation of the postgraduate programme is based on modern teaching and learning models based on the blended learning method (synchronous and asynchronous distance and face-to-face teaching), as defined by the current legislation, thus achieving the enrichment and complementarity of teaching methods.

The distribution of the thirteen (13) teaching sessions per semester is as follows, depending on the teaching method:

Students are examined at the end of each semester either in writing or orally or through the submission of assignments.

The courses are scheduled on a Saturday for the convenience of graduate students who work or reside in other parts of the country.

Attendance is compulsory both in face-to-face meetings and in meetings using new technologies, where the presence of the postgraduate student(s) will be indicated electronically.

Two absences per semester are allowed, after explanation.

For the attendance of the MSc, the payment of tuition fees of 2.400 € is mandatory, which are paid as follows: the first payment (800 €) is paid immediately after the completion of the selection process and before the beginning of the first semester, while the other two equal payments (2 x 800 €) are paid before the beginning of the second and third semester, respectively.

Postgraduate students who satisfy the requirements according to article 86 "Right to free study in a Postgraduate Programme with tuition fees and scholarships" of the law. 4957/2022.