Bachelor's Degree in Educational and Social Policy. Pathways: a) Continuing Education, b) Education of individuals with Special Needs. Department of Educational and Social Policy. Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. University of Macedonia.

Description

Knowledge: Within the context of their undergraduate studies in the Direction of Continuous Education, students acquire a cohesive and integrated body of knowledge in the fields of Lifelong Learning and adult education.
Specifically, they develop advanced knowledge and critical understanding with regard to the following:
- theoretical models for adult education;
- importance of Lifelong Learning in Greece, in Europe, and internationally;
- design and structuring of lifelong programmes;
- methods for evaluating programmes;
- didactic and adult methodology models;
- principles and actions for a consulting career and the development of human resources;
- principles for the organisation and management of bodies and organisations of lifelong learning and adult education.

In addition, within the context of their undergraduate studies in the Direction of Continuing Education, students are capable of the following:
Skills:
- communicate effectively when working in groups, and specifically with adults;
- solve problems through their engagement with research work, and analyse case studies in order to develop decision-taking skills at the same time;
- develop critical thinking and critical reflection, both through their theoretical courses, and through experiential / participatory activities.

Competences:
- transmit the knowledge and apply the skills acquired in the context of their studies at a professional level, and in the fields of their work;
- design, structure, and implement adult education and lifelong learning programmes;
- evaluate adult education and lifelong learning programmes;
- educate adults of various specialties on adult education and lifelong learning issues;
- undertake administrative roles and effectively run bodies and adult education and lifelong learning structures;
- collaborate, communicate and network effectively at a local, regional, national, and international level with bodies and organisations of their field of specialisation.

Knowledge:
Within the context of their undergraduate studies, in Direction "Education of individuals with special needs", students acquire a cohesive and integrated body of knowledge in the fields of Special Education.
Specifically, they develop advanced knowledge and critical understanding with regard to the following:
- diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of special educational needs and/or disabilities;
- education, rehabilitation, and educational integration for children / individuals with special educational needs and disabilities;
- various categories of special educational needs / disabilities; - special learning difficulties, intellectual disability, speech and communication problems, vision and hearing impairments, autism / pervasive developmental disorder, behavioural problems and emotional disorders, physical disabilities, etc.

Skills: Within the context of their undergraduate studies in Direction "Education of individuals with Special Needs", students, through the courses and laboratories referring to the categories of the special educational needs and/or disabilities, and practical training on special education school units and special education organisations, apply the knowledge acquired.
- diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of special educational needs and/or disabilities;
- education, rehabilitation, and educational integration for children / individuals with special educational needs and disabilities.

Competences: Upon completing their undergraduate studies with Direction "Education of Individuals with Special Needs", students shall be competent of:
- transmitting the knowledge and applying the skills acquired in the context of their studies at a professional level, and in the fields of their work;
- conducting the diagnosis, prognosis, and prevent special educational needs and/or disabilities;
- providing education, rehabilitation, and educational integration for children / individuals with special educational needs and disabilities.

Further Information

The Department was established by Presidential Decree 263/93 while P.D. 391/95 established the directions.
The purposes of the Department of Educational and Social Policy are the following:
- Advance the sciences of Lifelong Learning and Adult Education through academic and applied teaching and research, by making use (sufficiently and as required) new technologies, while respecting the principles of intercultural education.
- Contribute to the design, development, and evaluation of the institutions and structures of educational policy.
- Provide its graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are necessary for their successful scientific and vocational career and development.

The direction of "Continuing Education" includes courses referring to the necessity and evolution of the institution in Greece and in the world, to the thematic axes and objectives of continuing education, to the role of international organisations, as well as to the structure and organization of the bodies of continuing education. Students are specialized on issues of adult education, design and evaluation of programmes of vocational education and learning, etc.

The students of the Direction "Education of Individuals with Special Needs" are trained in issues concerning the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, education, and healing intervention to children / individuals with special educational needs and disabilities. Students are taught courses referring to the categories of children with special educational needs and disabilities: special learning difficulties, intellectual disability, speech and communication problems, vision and hearing impairments, autism / pervasive developmental disorder, behavioural problems and emotional disorders, physical disabilities, perceptual / psychomotor disorders, etc.

In the last two semesters of studies, the students of both Directions are obliged to participate in the programme of Practical Training, which takes place either in organisations educating adults or in special education organisations. Finally, the students may choose to conduct a dissertation, which is either experiential research or composite study on one of the cognitive domains of the Directions.

Relation To Employment

The graduates of the Direction of Continuous Education can find employment in the following:
- administration of organisations and structures for adult education;
- study, design, application, and evaluation of adult education and training programmes;
- education of adult educators about the subjects of adult education and learning and of lifelong learning;
- management and development of human resources in organisations and businesses;
- professional orientation and professional - social integration of vulnerable social groups.
Moreover, the graduates with the Direction of Continuing Education fall into branch P.E. 72 (Educators for Adults) and can work in Laboratories of Special Vocational Education & Training (EEEEK).
The above professional engagements have been stipulated by the following laws: Law 3699/2008, Government Gazette 199/02-10-2008, (University Graduates (P.E.) 72 - Educators for Adults), L. 3794/2009, Government Gazette 156/04-09-2009 (P.E.10- Sociologists), Ministerial Decision 20082/23-10-2012.

The Degree on Educational and Social Policy - Education of Individuals with Special Needs is necessary for the professional employment of graduates as:
- special educators of branch P.E. 71 (Teachers of Special Education and Training - EAE), in the public and private sector;
- specialists for diagnosing, evaluating, and providing educational support to individuals with disabilities or special educational needs;
- specialists on the education of disabled adults;
- specialists on the design and application of educational programmes for the reinforcement - support of academic, social, communication, and motor skills of persons with disability or special educational needs;
- specialists on the design and application of programmes for the rehabilitation of persons with disability or special educational needs, and specifically in the fields of transitioning to adult life, of professional rehabilitation, autonomous / independent living, social integration, alternative and incremental communication.
The above professional engagements have been stipulated by Law 3699/2008, Government Gazette 199/02-10-2008.

The Degree on Educational and Social Policy and the two directions is linked to the profession of Sociologist. It is expressed by P.E. 10, as specified in Law 3794/2009 (Government Gazette 156, Bulletin Α, 04/09/2009, article 39, paragraph 2, verse C).

Transitions

Access to this type of qualification have those who have completed at least the secondary education (level 4).
Holders of such qualifications gain access to study programmes at the same level or at level 7 or 8.

Ways To Aquire

Qualifications of this type are acquired via formal education.

Awarding Body

University of Macedonia

Qualification Type

BACHELOR DEGREE (PTYCHIO/DIPLOMA ANOTATIS EKPAIDEFSIS)

Name

Higher education

Purpose

Basic

Duration

Μέχρι 4 έτη