Study programme | 22_TEOdod - Theology |
Study | stupeň - III. - doctoral, forma - full time, typ - Single degree study |
The name of the university | Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica |
The seat of the university | Národná 12, 974 01 Banská Bystrica |
The name of the faculty | Faculty of Education |
The seat of the faculty | Ružová 13, 97411 Banská Bystrica |
The graduate of the Theology field of study (doctoral study programme) is qualified to perform conceptual theological scientific work and create specialised theological works focused on church theory and practice and building Christian world-view based on expert Bible exegesis. They are qualified to hold leading positions in church, parachurch, diaconical, and ecumenical institutions and organisations. They can teach theological disciplines at universities and train church (organisation) workers. They are well-oriented in the relationship between science, humanities, and theological sciences and qualified to perform research on theology as well as related fields. They are educated in science as well as faith and possess complex knowledge of the contemporary philosophical, theological, and ethical discourses. Therefore, they can publicly address controversial ethical and social questions of the Christian faith, religion, and culture with appropriate sensitivity.
Learning outcomes are specified in detail in the Learning outcomes document attached to the application.
The graduate develops knowledge in the following areas:
The graduate develops practical capabilities and skills:
The graduate develops additional knowledge, capabilities/skills, attitudes:
The detailed structure of learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, capabilities, attitudes) can be found in the Structure of the study programme and Learning outcomes attached.
The institution indicates the professions for which the graduate is prepared at the time of completion and the potential of the study programme from the point of view of graduate's employability.
The graduates can work in the following areas:
Preacher under a registered evangelical church, spiritual administrator of a church congregation, manager of a facility operated by the church, teacher in all kinds of church education, religious education teacher at primary school.
A missionary of the existing church communities, worker in domestic and international missionary organisations, translator-interpreter-linguist
social facility worker, charity institution worker, prison/military/hospital chaplain, drug centre officer.
The study programme prepares theology students in accordance with the beliefs of the evangelical churches (i.e. part of the state-registered churches) for practice in evangelical churches and related institutions. This study programme is very specific and unique in the SR.
Since the Czech Republic lacks a study programme focused on Evangelical Theology, this study programme attracts students from the Czech Republic as well.
The higher education delivered under this programme promotes prosocial activities in local church communities and reduces the risk of religious radicalisation in a pluralistic society.
Baptist Union in the SR, Súľovská 2, Bratislava
Slovakia United Methodist Church, Panenská 10, Bratislava
The occupations indicated above are continually performed by the graduates of this programme.
According to www.uplatnenie.sk, 88% of Master study graduates of 2019 are employed; the rest are working abroad or voluntarily unemployed (some of them are volunteering for their churches or on maternity leave).
The FoE MBU Department of Theology and Catechetics maintains a database of graduates to monitor their employment as well as informal activity. Many of them are keeping in touch, some are guiding our students during their professional practice, others are invited to deliver expert lectures on pedagogy in practice.
Leaders of Evangelical churches in the SR and abroad:
Mgr. Ján Liba, Bishop of the Apostolic Church in Slovakia
Mgr. Štefan Rendoš, Superintendent of the Methodist Evangelical Church in the SR
Mgr. Benjamin Uhrin, PhD., President of the Board of the Baptist Union in Slovakia
Mgr. Daniel Sjanta, Superintendent of the Methodist Evangelical Church in Serbia
Evangelical clerics (e.g.)
Mgr. Juraj Insitoris, preacher, Church of the Brethren in Banská Bystrica
Mgr. Miloš Masarik, PhD., preacher and administrator, Baptist Union in Banská Bystrica
Mgr. Gabriela Kopas, PhD., preacher and administrator of the Methodist Evangelical Church congregation in Bratislava
ThDr. Darko Kraljik, pastor, Baptist Union in Bernolákovo
Mgr. Marek Gombár, preacher, Apostolic Church, Pavlovce nad Úhom
Higher education:
Prof. ThDr. PaedDr. Roman Králik, Th.D.,director of the Central European Research Institute of Soren Kierkegaard in Nitra; Department of General and Applied Ethics, Faculty of Arts, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra
Church education:
PaedDr. Martina Polohová, founder of Narnia – church primary school in Banská Bystrica
Mgr. Miroslav Tóth, PhD., founder and headmaster of the Gateway College biblical school in Nitra; pastor in the Apostolic Church congregation in Nitra
Mgr. Bianka Králiková, teacher at the Gateway College biblical school in Nitra
Mgr. Henrieta Kocevová, teaching assistant at the primary school in Pobedim
The prison system in Slovakia and the Czech Republic
Pplk. Mgr. Ján Šefčík – senior minister, Office of Ecumenical Pastoral Service, Directorate General of the Prison and Court Guard Service of the SR
Kpt. Mgr. Stanislav Depta, prison pastor in the Remand Prison and Prison in Košice,
Mjr. Ing. Mgr. Ľudovít Kara, lecturer at the Education Institute of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard
ThDr. Jan Majer, prison chaplan, prison in Mírov (CZ)
Mgr. Blažej Pelán, prison chaplain, prison in Plzeň-Bory (CZ)
Church organisations:
ThDr. Michal Veselý, specialised worker in the Slovak Bible Society in Banská Bystrica
Mgr. Miroslav Hrivnák, president of YMCA Slovakia
Mgr. Daniel Kaczmarczyk, director of Wycliffe CZ
Mission abroad
Mgr. Jozef Brenkus, jr. (a missionary in India for 12 years, Slovak Mission Network)
The selected employers were contacted to evaluate the quality of the study programme and create evaluation reports. Please, find them attached in the accreditation file along with the notes on incorporating the comments and proposals.
The rules for the design of study plans within this field of study are specified in Directive No. 1/2021 Creation, modification and approval of study programmes and submission of applications to the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education, (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/vnutorny-system-kvality/zakladne-vnutorne-predpisy-vsk-umb/smernica-c-1-2021-vytvaranie-uprava-a-schvalovanie-studijnych-programov-14493.html), and Directive FoE MBU No. 4/2021 Creation, modification and approval of study programmes and submission of applications for habilitation and inauguration proceedings to BIQS MBU, (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html), and the MBU Study regulations (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html).
Students can develop more specific profile skills by enrolling in elective and compulsory courses offered by the department for their degree of study in the following courses: Evangelical Theology, Catechetics, Diaconia and Mission.
In the creation of study plans, the following rules are adhered to:
Number of credits from compulsory courses: 36 + 60 credits (study part + scientific part)
Number of credits from elective courses: 16 + 24 credits (study part + scientific part)
Number of credits from optional courses: 8 + 36 credits (study part + scientific part)
Number of credits for the final thesis and its defence (state examination): 20 credits (Dissertation Exam and Defence of the DT project – compulsory course), 40 credits (Dissertation Thesis and Defence – compulsory course)
Other requirements that the student must meet within the study programme and for its proper completion, including the requirements for state examinations, rules for re-study and rules for the extension, interruption of study:
The requirements and rules for successful completion of the study and state examinations as well as other study-related rules are defined in: MBU Study Regulations, (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html),
Methodological Instruction FoE MBU No. 1/2010 on recognition of credits from previous study (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html), Directive No. 9/2021 on final, rigorous, and habilitation theses at MBU in Banská Bystrica (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/koncim-studium/zaverecne-prace/).
Directive No. 7/2021 on doctoral studies (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/doktorandske-studium/smernice-phd/smernica-7-2021-o-doktorandskom-studiu-na-umb.html)
Methodological Instruction No.1/2022 on Quality Assurance of Doctoral Studies at FoE UMB (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/doktorandske-studium/smernice-phd/metodicky-pokyn-1-2022-k-zabezpeceniu-kvality-doktorandskeho-studia-na-pf-umb/)
The rules for verification of learning outcomes, student assessment, and submitting complaints regarding study (managed by the FoE MBU Admission Office and Vice-Dean for Pedagogical Activities) are defined in MBU Study Regulations (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html) MBU Student Disciplinary Regulations https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html), Statute of the Ethical Committee for Students (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/eticka-komisia/statut-etickej-komisie-studentov.html).
Further possibilities for (non)anonymous appealing include the FoE MBU Electronic Inbox for Complaints and Proposals (administered by the Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Assurance) pursuant to Directive No. 3/2021 on the evaluation and development of the quality of education at FoE MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html).
Conditions for recognition of studies or a part of studies are defined in:
MBU Study Regulations, (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html), Methodological Instruction FoE MBU No. 1/2010 on recognition of credits from previous study (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html), Directive No. 9/2021 on final, rigorous, and habilitation theses at MBU in Banská Bystrica (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/koncim-studium/zaverecne-prace/). Directive No. 11/2021 on awarding ECTS credits for extra-curricular activities at MBU (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/kreditovy-system-studia/uznavanie-extrakurikularnych-aktivit-na-umb/).
The following dissertation thesis topics are planned to be offered:
prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, PhD.;
prof. ThDr. Albín Masarik, PhD.;
doc. PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová, PhD.;
Doc. PaedDr. Dana Hanesová, PhD.
The rules are defined in Directive No. 9/2021 on final, rigorous, and habilitation theses at MBU in Banská Bystrica(https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/koncim-studium/zaverecne-prace/) as well as the MBU Study Regulations (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html).
Detailed instructions are provided in Methodological Instruction No. 4/2019 on creation and defence of final and qualification theses at FoE MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/koncim-studium/zaverecne-prace/). These documents provide detailed specification of the recommended final thesis designs and structure for the respective type of thesis and level of study. Final and qualification theses follow the IMRaD structure. Students can access all relevant documents on the faculty website.
Support for individual mobility of students and staff is a basic priority of MBU’s internationalization strategy. This priority is specified in the Strategy of Internationalisation (https://www.umb.sk/en/international/strategy-principles-and-goals/), Erasmus Policy Statement UMB (https://www.umb.sk/en/international/erasmus/erasmus-policy-statement.html), Directive No. 4/2019 on Erasmus+ mobility at MBU (https://www.umb.sk/app/cmsSiteBoxAttachment.php?ID=7008&cmsDataID=0), the Long-Term Plan of MBU in Banská Bystrica for 2021–2026(https://www.umb.sk/rozvoj/)and Long-Term Plan of FoE MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/informacie-o-fakulte.html).
FoE MBU also supports recognition of blended virtual mobility in accordance with the valid Slovak and European legislation. The university has concluded approximately 130 bilateral agreements, 69 have been concluded on the faculty level. The Office of International Cooperation and Mobility also offers internships.
FoE students can select an international mobility or study abroad from the offer published on the faculty website, which is regularly updated (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/erasmus-a-studium-v-zahranici/).
Erasmus+ student mobility
At MBU, there is an Ethical Committee, which addresses the questions and issues related to adherence to academic ethics (employees and students). Relevant information about the Ethical Committee and its tasks can be found at the university website (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/eticka-komisia/).
Students must adhere to the MBU Student Code of Ethics (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/eticka-komisia/eticky-kodex-studenta-umb.html). Every student can take online training in ethical decision-making in accordance with the MBU rules (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/trening.html).
Other relevant document defining the rules are the MBU Disciplinary Code (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html) and FoE MBU Student Disciplinary Code (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/app/cmsFile.php?disposition=a&ID=5449), which specifies the position and activity of the Foe MBU Disciplinary Committee. Students can access all relevant documents on the faculty website.
Students with specific needs follow the MBU Study Guide for Students with Special Needs and the instructions published at the university website (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/chcem-studovat/co-este-potrebujete-vediet/informacie-pre-uchadzacov-o-studium-a-studentov-so-specifickymi-potrebami/).
Students with specific needs (SSN) can find information on the FoE MBU website (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/student-so-specifickymi-potrebami/informacie-pre-studentov-so-specifickymi-potrebami.html).
FoE MBU has a SSN coordinator who supports students and helps them adapt to the university environment, and resolve any study-related issues (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/chcem-studovat/co-este-potrebujete-vediet/informacie-pre-uchadzacov-o-studium-a-studentov-so-specifickymi-potrebami/).
Filing complaints and rules for committee examination are defined in the MBU Study Regulations (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy.html). Further possibilities for (non)anonymous appealing include the FoE MBU Electronic Inbox for Complaints and Proposals (administered by the Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Assurance) pursuant to Directive No. 3/2021 on the evaluation and development of the quality of education at FoE MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html).
Complaints related to violation of the student/employee Codes of Ethics can be submitted directly to the Ethical Committee in writing (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/eticka-komisia/). Any student may make a comment or complaint as stipulated by Directive No. 2/2017 on Handling Complaints at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/verejnost-a-media/peticie-a-staznosti/staznosti/). Directive on the Internal System for Submitting and Processing Complaints about Anti-Social Activity and Act No. 54/2019 Coll. on Protection of. Whistleblowers of Anti-Social Activity apply.
Structured according to Decree no. 614/2002 Coll. – see attached.
Year plan:
The schedule is available on the faculty website.
https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/harmonogram-studia.html
Current schedule:
External form of study: https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/rozvrh/rozvrh-letny-semester-2021-2022-externe-studium.html
Internal form of study: https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/rozvrh/rozvrh-letny-semester-2021-2022.html
Prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, PhD.; university teacher, guarantor of the study programmes
pavel.hanes@umb.sk, 048 446 4913
Prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, PhD., University teacher, guarantor of the study programmes, pavel.hanes@umb.sk, 048 446 4913
Profile courses: Methodology of Theology, Systematic Theology
Prof. Anna Maria Kool, Dr. habil., Ph.D., University teacher, associate professor, anna.kool@umb.sk, 048 446 4915
Profile course: World Religions and Cults
Prof. ThDr. Albín Masarik, PhD., University teacher, head of the department, member of the MBU Academic Senate and FoE Academic Senate, management of the Pedagóg civic association, albin.masarik@umb.sk, 048 446 4911
Profile courses: Pastoral Theology, Hermeneutics
Doc. PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová, PhD., University teacher, Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Assurance, viktoria.soltesova@umb.sk, 048 446 4230, 048 446 4917
Profile courses: Methodology of Scientific Work, New Testament – Exegesis, Catechetics, World Religions and Cults, Ecumenical Theology
Peter Málik, MPhil., Ph.D., University teacher, peter.malik@umb.sk, 048 446 4916
Profile course: New Testament – Exegesis
RATP of persons responsible for the profile courses have been attached to the respective accreditation file. Accreditation applications are registered in the internal AIS2 Academic Information System. Students have access to information on the teachers’ personal websites under the respective faculties as well. Currently, this includes members of the Department of Theology and Catechetics Members of the Department | Department of Theology and Catechetics | Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (umb.sk)
List of teachers of the Theology doctoral study programme with the assignment to the course
The courses assigned to specific teachers can be found attached in the Recommended Study Plan.
Prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, PhD., University teacher, guarantor of the study programmes, pavel.hanes@umb.sk, 048 446 4913
Courses: Methodology of Theology, Systematic Theology, Hebrew Bible, Theological Ethics, History of Christianity
Prof. Anna Maria Kool, Dr. habil., Ph.D., University teacher, associate professor, anna.kool@umb.sk, 048 446 4915
Courses: World Religions and Cults, Ecumenical Theology
Prof. ThDr. Albín Masarik, PhD., University teacher, head of the department, member of the MBU Academic Senate and FoE Academic Senate, management of the Pedagóg civic association, albin.masarik@umb.sk, 048 446 4911
Courses: Pastoral Theology, Hermeneutics, Theological German
Doc. PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová, PhD., University teacher, Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Assurance, viktoria.soltesova@umb.sk, 048 446 4230, 048 446 4917
Courses: Methodology of Scientific Work, New Testament – Exegesis, Catechetics, Diaconics, World Religions and Cults, Ecumenical Theology
Peter Málik, MPhil., Ph.D., University teacher, peter.malik@umb.sk, 048 446 4916
Course: New Testament – Exegesis
Todd Lee Patterson, MDiv., Ph.D., foreigner lecturer, todd.patterson@umb.sk, 048 446 4916
Course: Specialised English
Prof. PaedDr. Dana Hanesová, PhD., University teacher, professor, dana.hanesova@umb.sk, 048 446 4762
Course: Scientific Discourse in English
Prof. ThDr. Pavel Hanes, PhD., University teacher, guarantor of the study programmes, pavel.hanes@umb.sk, 048 446 4913
Prof. Anna Maria Kool, Dr. habil., Ph.D., University teacher, associate professor, anna.kool@umb.sk, 048 446 4915
Offered thesis topics:
Prof. ThDr. Albín Masarik, PhD., University teacher, head of the department, member of the MBU Academic Senate and FoE Academic Senate, management of the Pedagóg civic association, albin.masarik@umb.sk, 048 446 4911
Doc. PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová, PhD., University teacher, Vice-Dean for Development and Quality Assurance, viktoria.soltesova@umb.sk, 048 446 4230, 048 446 4917
Peter Málik, MPhil., Ph.D., University teacher, peter.malik@umb.sk, 048 446 4916
Offered thesis topics:
Prof. PaedDr. Dana Hanesová, PhD., University teacher, professor, dana.hanesova@umb.sk, 048 446 4762
doc. PaedDr. ThDr. Monika Zaviš, PhD., University teacher, zavis@fedu.uniba.sk
Supervisors’ research/art/teacher profiles (RATPs) can be found in the AIS2 Academic information system. Students have access to information on the teachers’ personal websites under the respective faculties as well. Currently, the list includes members of the Department of Theology and Catechetics (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/katedry/katedra-teologie-a-katechetiky/).
Martina Ďurianová, martina.durianova@student.umb.sk; MBU Academic Senate member
Barbora Kuráňová, barbora.kuranova@student.umb.sk; MBU Academic Senate member
Peter Málik, MPhil, PhD, peter.malik@umb.sk:https://www.pdf.umb.sk/pmalik/
Head of the Admission Office/Study officer: Ivona Bajsová, 048 446 4248, ivona.bajsova@umb.sk
Schedule coordinator: Mgr. Ing. Jaroslav Maďar, Ph.D., 048 446 4916, jaroslav.madar@umb.sk; Mgr. Marián Lakomčík (Faculty level), 048 446 4262, marian.lakomcik@umb.sk
Credit System of Study coordinator: Mgr. Marián Lakomčík, 048 446 4262, marian.lakomcik@umb.sk
International relations and mobility officer: Ing. Anita Dienešová, 048 446 4226, anita.dienesova@umb.sk
Coordinator for students with specific needs: doc. PaedDr. Vlasta Belková, PhD., 048 446 4755, 048 446 4759, vlasta.belkova@umb.sk
Psychological consulting: doc. PaedDr. Lada Kaliská, PhD., 048 446 4717, lada.kaliska@umb.sk; prof. PhDr. Eva Sollárová, CSc., 048 446 4717, eva.sollarova@umb.sk; PaedDr. Jana Stehlíková, PhD., 048 446 4718, jana.stehlikova@umb.sk; PaedDr. Lucia Pašková, PhD., 048 446 4722, lucia.paskova@umb.sk; Mgr. Michaela Souček Vaňová, PhD., 048 446 4714, michaela.vanova@umb.sk; PhDr. Beata Žitniaková Gurgová, PhD., 048 446 4725, beata.gurgova@umb.sk; Mgr. Zuzana Heinzová, PhD., 048 446 4711, zuzana.heinzova@umb.sk
Pastoral counselling: doc. ThDr. Albín Masarik, PhD., 048 446 4911, albin.masarik@umb.sk; doc. PaedDr. Viktória Šoltésová, PhD., 048 446 4230, 048 446 4917, viktoria.soltesova@umb.sk
Social consulting: doc. PhDr. Alžbeta Brozmanová Gregorová, PhD., 048 446 4784, alzbeta.gregorova@umb.sk; Mgr. Jana Šolcová, PhD., 048 446 4784, jana.solcova@umb.sk; PhDr. Katarína Kurčíková, PhD., 048 446 4525, katarina.kurcikova@umb.sk; PhDr. Michaela Šavrnochová, PhD., 048 446 4525, michaela.savrnochova@umb.sk
Legal consulting: Mgr. Jakub Dzimko, 048 446 3149, jakub.dzimko@umb.sk; JUDr. Ľubica Saktorová, PhD., LL.M., M.A., lubica.saktorova@umb.sk
Social-pedagogical consulting: PhDr. Patrícia Zólyomiová, PhD., 048 446 4761, patricia.zolyomiova@umb.sk; doc. PaedDr. Vlasta Belková, PhD., 048 446 4755, 048/4464759, vlasta.belkova@umb.sk
Officer for science, research, and art: Mgr. Miroslava Fudorová, 048 446 4229, miroslava.fudorova@umb.sk
Department administrative support: Mgr. Zuzana Zvarová (head of the department), 048 446 4852,
zuzana.zvarova@umb.sk; Mgr. Dana Kujnischová (assistant), 048 446 4912, dana.kujnischova@umb.sk
Since 2018, FoE MBU offers doctoral students faculty-wide support through the FoE MBU Doctoral School. It is a unique project in Slovakia and focuses on the students of humanities as well (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEcjsOwBu1o). It aims to a) facilitate the development of transferable capabilities in doctoral students, mainly those related to research activity, b) support doctoral students in the key points of their study and provide them with opportunities to gain the necessary experience, c) support doctoral students in adapting to the academic environment across all fields of study, remove social isolation, and support them on their path to independence, d) support doctoral supervisors in networking and providing quality supervision (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/katedry/centrum-edukacneho-vyskumu/doktorandska-skola-pf-umb/).
new MBU project supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Research of Slovak Republic allowed for the establishment of the University Consulting and Support Centre (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/univerzitne-poradenske-a-podporne-centrum-umb.html) in September 2021 (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/univerzitne-poradenske-a-podporne-centrum-umb.html). It provides social, psychological, and legal consulting for students and applicants with specific needs or from socially disadvantaging environments. The centre provides professional consulting to students and applicants in a safe space and adheres to the highest ethical principles of consulting practice. Consulting is provided in cooperation with MBU staff, external experts, and students trained in the respective areas (under professional supervision). MBU students can easily access consulting and support services addressing a variety of their needs. The goal is to help them in their study, and promote emotional, social, intellectual, and professional development. The centre provides personal and remote consulting for students and special-pedagogical consulting for students and applicants with special needs. The MBU Career Centre (https://poradenstvo.umb.sk/poradenstvo/karierove-poradenstvo) provides career consulting (individual and group), workshops and training focused on career management; students can also try out the assessment centre to get acquainted with the procedures. The centre facilitates contact between students and potential employees by means of job fairs, expert lectures, workshops, and excursions. The MBU Career Centre regularly updates their social networks and websites to provide information on job vacancies, internships, and professional practice (https://www.umb.sk/univerzita/karierne-centrum-umb/karierove-poradenstvo/).
Departments have state-of-art didactic technology in their own classrooms (data projectors, TV). Shared lecture halls and seminar rooms also provide PCs connected to the Internet, data projectors, and interactive whiteboards. In 2021, 26 classrooms were equipped with videoconference systems for hybrid and remote teaching (camera and microphone). There are 6 public computers for students. 2 classrooms are also equipped with 20 PCs. Another 8 classrooms are equipped with multimedia and ICT. WiFi is accessible in most of the FoE premises so that student can connect to the Internet via their notebooks. The software equipment includes: OS MS Windows, Office 365, ESET and KASPERSKY antiviruses, ADOBE READER & PDF CREATOR, SPSS (statistical package). This material and technological equipment allows for achieving optimal quality of the educational process. At FoE MBU, there are 37 classrooms. 10 of them are specialised (gym). The two largest classrooms (capacity: 2x78 students) have been renovated and modernised. All classrooms are fully equipped with ICT (plasma TV, data projector, 60 PC available to all faculty departments). The classroom furniture is maintained, repaired, and replaced continually. To improve the quality of teaching, FoE has created several specialised classrooms/labs: a classroom for the Department of Social Work – 30 students; three classrooms for the Department of Elementary and Pre-School Pedagogy equipped for teaching Slovak language and literature, mathematics, and academic subjects focused on social sciences and science. Artistic courses are taught in specialised classrooms at the Department of Fine Arts: Artistic courses are taught in specialised classrooms: a large studio with painting easels, suitable for a variety of artistic procedures (both surface and spatial), working with different materials and technical tools, a specialized studio for graphic techniques with graphic presses and a photo chamber – a room for light-sensitive artistic techniques, a multimedia studio and a modelling room for plastic and spatial creation with a potter's wheel and a ceramic firing furnace. The Department of Musical Culture has 9 specialised classrooms (4 of which are multimedia classrooms, 1 offers music software), and a specialised instrumental classroom for music ensembles. Classroom equipment: 5 grand pianos, 5 upright pianos (outside the library and teachers’ offices), 3 synthesizers, 1 drawbar organ. Other musical instruments: transverse flute, harpsichord, violin, cello, double bass, guitar, accordion, electric guitar and bass guitar. There is a special concert room and a so-called dance room (where music and movement activities and psychosocial trainings are carried out with the aim of psycho-motor development). Students and teachers can visit the AMOS Centre for Pedagogical Practice and Didactic Aids, in which they can find a variety of didactic aids and educational games for preschool and younger school-age children. The centre provides space for group work but the visitors can also relax here and play board and trivia games (https://www.umb.sk/aktuality/centrum-pre-pedagogicku-prax-a-didakticke-pomocky-amos.html) To improve the study and work environment, FoE has provided the following: wheelchair access to all faculty premises including parking, camera system, student parking in front of the faculty, renovation of C and AB buildings including entrance halls. In the FoE MBU premises, there is a copy centre providing printing, binding, laminating and sells stationery. The Pedagogical Study located on the 1st floor of the Student House NO. 5 can accommodate 55 students. Presence study is possible. Students perform their continuous teaching practice in the local training kindergartens and primary schools (Banská Bystrica and Zvolen). Currently, there are 38 partner agreements with such workplaces (see Institution partners in providing educational activities for the study programme and the characteristics of their participation). Further agreements have been concluded with tens of schools across the region, which serve as training schools for teaching practice (Agreements are archived at the MBU Department of General Accounting, zdenka.slobodnikova@umb.sk, 048/446 1173).
The Department of Theology and Catechetics has four classrooms; three are equipped with ICT, projector, and hybrid sets. During the pandemic, this equipment enabled the department to provide hybrid teaching to both internal and external students without significant disruption to the pedagogical process. Among other things, the department also has its own library, which currently contains more than 17,600 scientific books as well as other spaces for scientific and pedagogical activities, seminars and smaller conferences. Link to the department library: Koha online catalogue (kniznice.eu).
All information about the study programme, including course information letters is available in the Academic Information System (AiS2) and on the faculty's website. Course syllabi, eligibility criteria for receiving credits and qualitative assessment are published on the websites of individual lecturers or in the LMS MOODLE system pertaining to the relevant course. The course of study from the admission examinations to state examinations are controlled through AIS2. The LMS MOODLE system is used to support face-to-face and distance learning, AIS2 and e-mail are used for communication and feedback. Each student has a university e-mail address, which allows them to access the University library and its libraries. All student homes provide Internet in student rooms, most classrooms have wi-fi (coverage is continually improved). Students have Internet access at FoE MBU halls as well. The Department publishes up-to-date announcements for students on its website. The website has a Study section, which provides study-related information (teaching practice, information for the finishing students, instructions for submitting final theses, etc. Information about the courses and downloadable materials can be found in a separate section. Students can use all software programs for which the university has purchased licenses. Besides MS Office 365, other specialised graphic and music programs as well as research software are available: SPSS 19.0 – statistical data processing; UNISTAT, ATLAS-TI – qualitative research data processing, etc. All school computers can be used to access publication databases via university licences. Students of education sciences use mainly the WOS, SCOPUS, EBSCO, and SCIENCE DIRECT databases.
Teachers responsible for the study programme actively create study material for the individual courses. They are (co)authors of university textbooks and materials on education sciences. Students can also purchase books published by FoE MBU staff in the Pedagóg civic association shop. There is sufficient material, technical, and informational equipment to implement the proposed study programme; moreover, it is continuously innovated and updated. Students and teachers can visit the library of the Department of Theology and Catechetics and borrow books that are unavailable in other studies or the central university library in accordance with the internal rules of this workplace. The items in the library are regularly updated based on the proposals of the teachers responsible for the study programme. Currently, the library contains more than 17,500 scientific and specialised books, journals, and proceedings from Slovakia and other countries. The library provides Internet access. Students and employees can use their own devices; individual tables and electrical sockets are available. The department library also offers a large lecture hall on the 2nd floor, large screen, and Internet access.
Many information sources are provided via the Internet. The software is regularly updated. Students also have access to an open library located in the hallway. They can freely borrow and return the books there. This project is based on the principles of trust and solidarity.
Library and information services are also provided by the University Library of Matej Bel University at the central workplaces at Tajovského 40 and 51 and at dislocated workplaces at each faculty. It offers absence and presence library services, consulting, research, reference, copy services, and Internet access 54 hours a week. Online services and electronic information sources can be accessed 24/7. The library collection contains over 277,000 scholarly and specialized monographs, textbooks, edited volumes, encyclopaedias, dictionaries and other types of documents. Acquisition is managed in cooperation with teachers according to the current academic and scholarly duties of the university. The collection also includes 251 periodicals, 120 of which are foreign. Final theses and other qualification theses defended at the university have been available in electronic form since 2009. Over 700 textbooks and study materials published by the university press are available via the MBU Virtual Reading Room. Further databases can be accessed via the library website: ACM, ProQuest Central, ProQuest Ebook Central, SpringerLink, Springer Nature, Wiley Online Library. Cambridge Journals and Emerald full text databases, and educational videos on the platform HSTalks are also accessible.
The Circulation Branch at Tajovského 40 is the library’s central branch for circulation services, allowing users to borrow from a collection of over 87,000 printed documents. Its opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The branch also offers interlibrary loan services. The General Reading Room at Tajovského 51 features a reference collection of over 16,500 printed documents and 134 periodicals from every field of study. Its opening hours are Monday to Wednesday from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The reading room also includes the university’s European Documentation Centre, as well as an archive of final thesis and other qualification thesis in printed form.
The General Reading Room at Tajovského 15 features a reference collection of over 6,500 printed documents, 39 periodicals, and 125 didactic games and aids. Office hours: Monday – Wednesday (9.00 am – 9.00 pm), Thursday – Friday (9.00 am – 4.00 pm). The AMOS Centre for Pedagogical Practice and Didactic Aids resides in the Pedagogical Study Room.
Each course information letter specifies the form of study. If the CIS specifies the form as combined or distance, the teacher is obliged to create an interactive e-learning course in LMS Moodle. The use of the portal is regulated by Directive No. 3/2016 on e-learning at MBU, which is available in the interface after opening (https://lms.umb.sk/). At the beginning of their study, 1st year students receive detailed instruction on e-learning support, mainly during the introductory courses. They can also address their teachers/study advisors during consulting hours if necessary. At the beginning of the semester, each teacher updates the course and sends sign-in information to the students (passwords). Besides syllabi and requirements for completion, there are also links to MS Teams (distance teaching), ZOOM, lecture videos, tasks, fora & discussion, polls, study materials, etc. Students can even be assessed through Moodle courses. In case of need (e.g. current pandemic situation), presence teaching fluently transforms into distance teaching in all courses and levels of study. Quality of distance teaching is continuously monitored and improved based on students’ input collected by surveys. In response to the pandemic situation, the hybrid form of study has been successfully introduced in situations when only a part of the group could attend the classes in person.
Organisations and academic departments from which you want to invite experts to give lectures or deliver other activities for students:
MBU offers a rich variety of social and cultural events, sports, and spiritual activities. In terms of sport activities, students can join several sport clubs (athletics club, women’s basketball team, gymnastics club, university hockey team, mountaineering club, karate club, judo club). The Sports for All club offers a swimming pool, sports games: floorball, football, volleyball, fitness, Power Zumba, Country dance, jumping, classic and sports massage. More information can be found at http://www.sportklub.umb.sk/.
There are three artistic ensembles based at MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/v-com-sme-vynimocni/umelecke-subory/): the Mladosť University Choir, the Mladosť University Folk Ensemble and the Mladosť Chamber Orchestra. They work primarily with FoE MBU students but are open to all MBU students. They are operated by the FoE MBU Department of Music Culture. Students can also participate in the activities of UNIS, the student theatre ensemble, which is open for all students who are interested in doing theatre. The University Dance Center offers various dance classes.
For over 20 years, MBU has actively cooperated with the Volunteer Center, a Banská Bystrica based non-profit organisation, which motivates students to participate in the Center’s own volunteer programmes, as well as those of other organizations, and supports their involvement in the community. MBU students can also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. UMB is the only university in Slovakia to be a local centre for this award. DofE is a comprehensive development programme that gives young people aged 14 to 24 a chance to develop their abilities and character for real life and fulfil their potential, helping them to succeed in life. MBU students can not only participate in DofE, but also learn the methodology and became programme leaders (https://dofe.umb.sk/).
As for free time, FoE MBU provides several premises where students can spend their free time, e.g. cafeteria and students’ room (catering), relaxation and study room No. B003 (including a kitchenette where students can heat up their own food). The Kolečko café employing disabled people to sensitise the customers towards other people’s needs. The Chillpoint relaxation zone has been created by the students themselves (building A, second floor), but there are also a canteen and another cafeteria nearby the FoE MBU Dean’s Office. The PuFkáčik children’s corner is available for the public, employees’ and students’ children.
In addition to the activities offered directly by the faculty and the university, rich opportunities for spending free time are also provided by the City of Banská Bystrica, with which MBU actively cooperates, keeping students regularly informed about such opportunities via social networks and bulletin boards in the faculty premises.
Students can fulfil their spiritual needs in the following student-focused organisations operating in the city: (University Bible Movement/), YMCA (https://ymca.sk/), Evangelical Free Church of America (https://www.efca.org/)
Church congregations (Roman Catholic, Evangelical A.C., Baptist Union, Apostolic Church, Church of the Brethren), Slovak Bible Society https://www.biblickaspolocnost.sk/en/home/), The MBU University Consulting and Support Centre (UPPC) also provides pastoral care (https://poradenstvo.umb.sk/).
Possibilities and conditions for student participation in mobilities and internships are guided by Directive No. 4/2019 on Erasmus+ mobility at UMB. They are regularly published in a separate section of the FoE MBU website (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/erasmus-a-studium-v-zahranici/). Besides Erasmus+ mobilities, other schemes such as SAIA are also supported. The Office of International Cooperation and Mobility also arranges internship opportunities. Every September, FoE MBU organises the Mobility Days during which students are informed about mobilities and internships. Students also receive this kind of information via the faculty newsletter well in advance of the application deadline. The call for applications for mobility is announced every year in the first half of the winter semester. Those interested in mobility submit an application along with a letter of motivation. In the application, they can indicate a selection of up to three host institutions in which they are interested. Subsequently, a pre-selection of participants takes place, which consists of an evaluation of the submitted documents and a personal interview. It is essential that students choose a host institution where they can study their field and specialisation. In cooperation with the departmental coordinators and the Office of International Cooperation and Mobility, students prepare a preliminary study plan in advance. The results of the pre-selection are the basis for drawing up the grant application, which is submitted to the National Erasmus+ Agency each year. The results of the pre-selections are announced to the students after the grant has been awarded by the National Agency. This is followed by the stage of practical administrative preparation for mobility stays, which consists of communication with partner institutions and nomination of students. The student sends the Learning Agreement and other documents to the partner institution according to their request (academic transcript, proof of accommodation, language certificate). The Office of International Cooperation and Mobility prepares the financial contract and aids the student in the process of securing insurance and accommodation, as well as the journey itself. After returning from mobility, the marks obtained for the courses completed at the host institution are entered into AIS (the Academic Information System). Courses other than the recognized compulsory courses are recognized according to the student's preference (as an elective or optional course).
Recognition of credits in the ECTS system is made possible thanks to the precise monitoring of mobility activities before, during and after mobility. Prior to mobility, maximum attention is paid to motivating students and facilitating communication between students and host institutions so that a realistic personalized learning agreement can be developed for each student, taking into account the requirements that students have to meet at their home institution and the opportunities offered by the host institution. The learning agreement remains a key and binding document in the next phases of mobility implementation as well. During a mobility stay, the Office for International Cooperation and Mobility, in close cooperation with the departmental coordinators, provides ongoing support to students studying abroad. Any possible discrepancy between the obligations defined in the learning agreement and the reality at the host institution is resolved in such a way that the student can obtain the necessary ECTS credits for the mobility period. The student has the opportunity to promptly draw attention to discrepancies in the offer of subjects so that a suitable solution to the situation can be proposed in cooperation with all involved parties. After the student’s return, the staff of the Office of International Cooperation and Mobility, in cooperation with the faculty study departments and departmental coordinators, confirms the recognition of ECTS credits obtained abroad. FoE MBU also supports recognition of blended virtual mobility in accordance with the valid Slovak and European legislation.
In relation to the Evangelical Theology and Mission study programme, mobilities at the following higher educational institutions are offered (Erasmus+):
Other collaborating workplaces:
https://www.pdf.umb.sk/chcem-studovat/co-este-potrebujete-vediet/informacie-o-prijimacom-konani/
Theology (PhD) – the applicants are required to have graduated from the Theology Master study programme or its equivalent and possess the knowledge of biblical Hebrew and Greek.
The doctoral study admission procedure at FoE MBU follows
Directive No. 7/2017 on doctoral study
and Methodological Instruction No.1/2022 on Quality Assurance of Doctoral Studies at FoE UMB, Article 4 (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/doktorandske-studium/smernice-phd/metodicky-pokyn-1-2022-k-zabezpeceniu-kvality-doktorandskeho-studia-na-pf-umb/)
A) The supervisor has successfully performed research/artistic activity during the last 5 years and produced an A-level publishing/artistic output (important international level).
B) The thesis topic is original or has been addressed only marginally or from different viewpoints; its annotation specifies that it is research-oriented.
C) In the annotation, the supervisor specifies how the internal doctoral student will participate in an existing project (their own, department, or faculty) or in further processing of the research data obtained under a completed project, i.e. the thesis topic is related to actual research.
D) In the case of external students, topics researched under projects within their home workplaces can be approved as well if the supervisor is aware of it and specifies it in the annotation.
A) specialised knowledge in the field with the emphasis on the topic of their dissertation thesis project,
B) knowledge of research methodology and ability to grasp how research works. The examination focuses on their 1) knowledge of research methods, procedures, and instruments related to the topic of their dissertation thesis project (DTP) 2) previous activities related to research, projects, publications, or professional practice related to their DTP (participation in research and other projects including Students’ Research Conference, active participation in conferences and seminars, completed courses and training, other field-related activities, list of publication/artistic activity including outputs in specialised press or websites, internships and stays abroad at relevant institutions including Erasmus, volunteering, etc.)
C) Command of a foreign language allowing the applicant to study foreign literature and present their own research internationally.
PhD study applicants are required to provide the foreign language, which will be a part of their admission examination (EN, FR, RU, DE).
The application must include:
The applicant is required to successfully pass three components of the examination:
Defence of the DT project – research methodology in accordance with the DT topic, mainly: knowledge of the selected methodological procedures, methods, and research instruments, principles and caveats of their use, correct methodological terminology, previous use of the research instruments proposed, orientation in methodological literature.
Defence of the DT project – specialised knowledge in the field and its subdisciplines related to the DT topic, mainly: knowledge of the appropriate approaches, relevant concepts, current state of research in the area, specialised literature, interdisciplinary knowledge related to the subject matter.
Command of a foreign language allowing the applicant to study foreign literature, mainly: standard communication in the foreign language, specialised communication to present the topic, the ability to comprehend specialised text.
3rd degree – Theology:
2 applicants applied for the study programme. 1 was admitted and enrolled.
Procedures for monitoring and evaluating students' opinions of the study programme’s quality follow Directive No. 3/2021 on the rules for education quality assessment at FoE MBU (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/smernice-a-pokyny-na-urovni-pf-umb.html).
The following procedures and tools are used for evaluation and development of the quality of education at FoE MBU with different, but periodical frequency:
All the aforementioned procedures are analysed on multiple levels (main guarantor, head of the department, Vice-Dean) in accordance with the respective Directive. All quality evaluation surveys are processed into reports. Each report summarises the results and proposes respective measures aimed at improving the quality of education. All reports are archived.
The evaluation of the quality of study is published in the respective section of the faculty website https://www.pdf.umb.sk/o-fakulte/system-kvality/hodnotenie-kvality-vzdelavania.html
Twice a year, the department performs a more detailed satisfaction survey and compares the results to the data collected from students via AIS. The head of the department presents the results at the department meetings. The results of student’s satisfaction are incorporated in the Reports on Pedagogical Activity.
Students’ evaluation of the 2021/2022 winter semester
Doctoral students did not participate in the satisfaction survey in the winter semester of the 2021/22 academic year.
All links to relevant study support documents can be found on the faculty website in the following sections:
I WANT TO STUDY (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/chcem-studovat/),
I HAVE JUST BEGUN MY STUDIES (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/zacinam-studovat/),
I AM STUDYING(https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/studujem/)
I AM FINISHING MY STUDIES (https://www.pdf.umb.sk/studenti/koncim-studium/).
The internal evaluation report contains links to university and faculty websites providing the relevant study-related information. The Department of Theology and Catechetics The department publishes the relevant information on the quality and quality control of the study programme on its website https://www.pdf.umb.sk/katedry/katedra-teologie-a-katechetiky/, as well as on the following website with an English version https://www.detm.org/home/