The history of the Faculty of Pedagogy begins in 1950, when a state secondary school was established for the purpose of training primary school teachers. This school became a higher education institute on 1 September 1989 and received the rank of college in 1975, adopting the name Csokonai Vitéz Mihály Teachers’ Training College. In this incarnation the college continued training primary school teachers and expanded its programs to include training for kindergarten teachers. On 1 January 2000 Kaposvár University integrated the college as its faculty of pedagogy. Its education programmes have been expanding steadily ever since. In the 2004/2005 academic year, the faculty occupied a new building equipped with the facilities and tools to provide top-notch instruction. Its lecture halls, labs, seminar rooms are of the highest 21st century standards and it lies in a convenient and fascinating area of the university campus. Since 1 September 2009 it has been working as a university faculty under the name Faculty of Pedagogy.
The faculty offers training in the area of the science of pedagogy (infant care, kindergarten teacher, primary school teacher, teacher of special-needs children). The members of the staff provide theoretical and practical training of the highest standard. They encourage and assist students in gaining special knowledge, acquiring foundations in scientific work, and learning through practical experience at home and abroad. The knowledge students acquire during their years of study greatly enhances their competitive edge in the workplace. The instructors and instruction from the Faculty of Pedagogy have helped to launch several students in successful jobs or into a continuation of their studies in an MA programme.
The faculty maintains good relations with institutions in several EU member countries and participates in student and staff exchange, training, and research programmes with Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Spain and Great Britain. Based on bilateral contracts, these programs have been running successfully for years with excellent results for students. Those studying foreign language and culture are encouraged to develop their skills in month-long intensive studies abroad.
Practical training
Students on their way to becoming kindergarten or primary education teachers will receive practical training in the university’s kindergarten and in a practice school or in other municipal institutions partnered with the faculty. Those who study at infant care specialisation do their practice in the nurseries of the town.
Prospective teachers of special-needs children obtain their practical training in well-equipped institutions employing distinguished specialists in Kaposvár (Bárczi Gusztáv Kindergarten, Primary School, Special Vocational School, Methodology Centre and Educational Advice Centre; Duráczky József Pedagogy Development and Methodology Centre) and in numerous other institutes throughout Somogy, Tolna, and Baranya counties.
What to do after graduation?
Graduates of Kaposvár University's Faculty of Pedagogy have become respected specialists in their fields. The support and encouragement of the staff and the excellent relationships Kaposvár University maintains with other institutions in Hungary and abroad give alumni distinct advantages in competitive job markets. Men and women who pass through its vocational trainings are among the most respected and sought-after employees on the regional job market.
Did you know?
Our faculty participates in the international programmes ERASMUS, COMENIUS and LEONARDO.
Research at the faculty
An ever-rising number of the staff has acquired the highest degrees and honours available in their fields. Several are original members or consultants at the doctoral schools of partner institutes. They publish research results in national and international journals and periodicals and have lately published numerous books both in Hungarian and English. The Faculty of Pedagogy, in partnership with the Benedek Elek Faculty of Pedagogy of Sopron University, publishes an independent periodical “Képzés és Gyakorlat” (Training and Practice), a forum for the presentation of cutting-edge research in pedagogy. Its high standard is maintained by an editorial board consisting of tutors of the two faculties in conference with an international advisory board. http://trainingandpractice.gportal.hu/
Plans, future prospects
The Faculty of Pedagogy has undertaken the challenge of constantly updating its courses offered to meet changing demands in the labour market. It is constantly launching new basic training academic specialisations, and getting accreditation for new master courses.
Institutions and Departments
Institution of Special Needs Education
Institution of Educational Science
Institution of Social and Cultural Sciences
Scientific activities
The Somogy Scholar Club
The Somogy Scholar Club was established in Kaposvár in 1985. At the time a local newspaper wrote under the headline “Scholar Club formed in Kaposvár” that “A Scholar Club was formed in the House of Technique in Kaposvár yesterday. Its tasks will be to provide facilities so that specialists with scientific degrees, researchers working in different fields in the county and young people willing to do research can exchange their views.
Club members wish to contribute to the county’s universal development and take every opportunity to get acquainted with the national situation and endeavours in certain disciplines with the help of well-known specialists.”
Since its foundation the club has hosted lectures from several members of the community who have scientific degrees and from renowned guest lecturers.
Social sciences: 49 lectures
Natural sciences: 24 lectures
Scientific lectures in connection with Arts: 5 lectures
According to the lecturers' academic qualification:
Academician: 4 lecturers
Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences: 8 lecturers
Habilitated doctor: 6 lecturers
Candidate of science: 10 lecturers
PhD (DLA): 16 lecturers
Doctoral degree: 7 lecturers
Altogether: 51 lecturers
Contact information of the present chairman of the Somogy Scholar Club:
Prof. Dr. habil. István Rosta Head of Department
Kaposvár University, 7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor u. 40. Phone: +36/82/505-893.
