The minimum academic requirements comprise a list of qualifications which graduates must possess on conclusion of their degree programme to ensure that they have the academic qualifications needed to teach one or more upper-secondary school subject. So one of the main tasks involved in the preparation of academic regulations relating to upper-secondary school subjects is to ensure that the qualification profile, content and extent of the academic regulations comply with the minimum academic requirements.
Academic qualifications needed to teach upper-secondary school subjects |
When students have proved that they meet the minimum academic requirements in the relevant upper-secondary school subjects, they have acquired what are known as the academic qualifications to teach. In order to achieve what is called teaching qualifications, students must gain a postgraduate certificate of education, involving a one-year programme incorporating both theory and practice and providing graduates with the basic skills needed to work as teachers at upper-secondary level. The postgraduate certificate of education is taken after completion of a Master’s degree programme and in connection with a teaching appointment. In connection with this employment on the basis of current rules, the principal of the college in question decides whether the student has the qualifications needed to be able to teach. |
Special structure of degree programmes targeting upper-secondary education |
Master’s degree programmes which are designed to prepare students to teach at upper-secondary level consist of a core subject and a subsidiary subject. The core subject constitutes the main focus of such programmes, requiring a minimum of 120 ECTS credits. If the subsidiary subject is in the same subject area as the core subject, it must constitute at least 90 ECTS credits. If the subsidiary subject is in a different subject area, the Master’s degree programme will be extended by 30 ECTS credits. These will be added to the subsidiary subject, which will then amount to at least 120 ECTS credits.
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Minimum academic requirements and transitional rules |
| When the university issues certificates relating to upper-secondary school subjects, it is confirming that the students concerned have acquired the academic qualifications needed to teach. So it is important that all graduates of these programmes live up to the minimum academic requirements. This means that when new or amended academic regulations are issued, the need for transitional regulations between the old and new academic regulations must be considered to ensure that no matter which academic regulations they have been enrolled on, all the students end up with an exam certificate proving that they have the academic qualifications to teach at upper-secondary level, and that they therefore live up to the minimum academic requirements. |
