• Info Pack

• Regular - 8 semesters - Info Pack

Organization of the educational process

The curriculum and the syllabi of the major Education for students with special needs is modeled upon the standards in the area of the professional preparation of special needs pedagogues and resource teachers in Bulgaria and meet the requirements of the Higher Education Law. The course of studies lasts for 4 years (8 terms). The curriculum incorporates 2400 classes and gives a total of 240 ECTS credits evenly distributed over the 8 terms of education.

Structurally, the major includes required, optional, and elective courses.

The required courses (1935 classes - 190 ECTS credits) guarantee the acquisition of fundamental general theoretical knowledge in the area which allows students to work in the specific fields of the major. This is achieved through the mastering of knowledge in different scientific areas (education science, psychology, medicine, philosophy) as well as knowledge of integrative and interdisciplinary character. The practical preparation of the students includes seminars, class attendance at schools, interim pedagogical practice, which amounts to a total of 75 classes and is conducted at schools and institutions for education and upbringing of children with special educational needs and 180 classes of pregraduation practice in special needs schools, children institutions, centres, classes and groups for integrated education.

The elective courses (465 classes - 50 credits) are introduced during the second term and facilitate the expansion and further specialisation of the theoretical and practical preparation in the major. They complement and specify the knowledge and competences acquired in the required courses.

The ratio of the required and the elective courses is 80,6:19,4 %.

The optional courses give students an opportunity to master knowledge and skills in different areas in regards to their interests

Students are awarded their degree after sitting for a written state exam or upon defending a diploma paper and passing a practical state exam, which amounts to 10 credits according to the ECTS system (art. 10 as per Ordinance № 21 dated 30/09/2004).

Educational mobility and international acknowledgement of the competences acquired in the course of education

The content of the curriculum, the organization of the education, the ECTS system and the quality system make it possible for the specialists to be marketable and competitive on the home and foreign labour market and to continue their education in Bulgaria and abroad.

QUALIFICATION AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Students who competed successfully the course of studies in the major Education of students with special needs and received a Bachelor's degree acquire the professional qualification of a special needs pedagogue. They are prepared to conduct educational, counseling, consultant and logistic activities for people (students) with different degrees and types of special needs, their parents and relatives, as well as the specialists who they work in close collaboration with in order to achieve the highest level of development of the individual capacity of each child/student.

The holder of a Bachelor's degree in Education for students with special needs has opportunities for the following fields of professional realization:

• In the sphere of the Ministry for Education, Youth and Science:
  • Teacher and teaching assistant in institutions for the upbringing and education of children with special educational needs;
  • Resource teacher in mainstream schools and kindergartens;
  • Teacher and teaching assistant in special education schools and in classes for integrated education of children with special educational needs;
  • Expert in panels for integrative pedagogical evaluation and selection of children with special educational needs (hereafter SEN);
  • Expert in the district educational inspectorates in the problems concerning special educational needs and behavioural deviations of children;
  • Head-master of special education schools and Resource centres for support of children and students with SEN;
  • Expert in the municipal department of Education;
  • Analyst in education and researcher in the field of special education.

• In the sphere of the Ministry for Labour and Social Politics:
  • Expert in municipal panels for child protection;
  • Teaching assistant in outreach centres for children (people) with moderate and severe degree of developmental disorders.

• Consultant in governments, non-government institutions and associations of people with developmental disorders.

Positions:

As per the national classification of positions and professions in the Republic of Bulgaria (2011) the positions special pedagogues can occupy are:

23 Teachers

2352 Teachers of students with special education needs:

2352 5001 Junior resource teacher;

2352 5002 Resource teacher;

2352 5003 Senior resource teacher;

2352 7004 Chief resource teacher

2352 5009 Junior teacher of children with developmental disorders;

2352 5010 Teacher of children with developmental delay;

2352 5011 Senior teacher of children with developmental delay;

2352 7012 Chief teacher of children developmental delay;

2352 5013 Junior teacher, speech and hearing rehabilitator of children with impaired hearing

2352 5014 Teacher, speech and hearing rehabilitator of children with impaired hearing;

2352 5015 Senior teacher, speech and hearing rehabilitator of children with impaired hearing;

2352 7016 Chief teacher учител, speech and hearing rehabilitator of children with impaired hearing;

2359 Other types of teachers:

2359 6007 Junior teaching assistant;

2359 6008 Teaching assistant;

2359 6009 Senior teaching assistant;

2359 6010 Chief teaching assistant;

344 7002 Manager, specialized institution;

1345 6001 Manger, servicing department in the sphere of national education;

1345 6002 School head-master

The holder of a Bachelor's degree in Special education can:

• specialize in different forms of post graduate qualification programs and on-going education;
• caда продължи образованието си в образователно-квалификационна степен "магистър".