Program Overview

Introduction to the Teacher Preparation Program

The teacher preparation program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become qualified teachers. The program is based on the standard of education that prepares students for the teaching profession.

General Information

To become a teacher, one must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete a first- and second-cycle study program or a uniform master's study program, the curriculum of which includes learning outcomes in the field of knowledge and skills covering the content contained in the core curriculum of a given subject.
2. Complete a pedagogical preparation course with a minimum of 270 hours, including psychological and pedagogical preparation as well as didactic training.
3. Complete a minimum of 150 hours of pedagogical practice in primary and secondary schools, including teaching and observing classes, developing lesson plans, and assessing student progress, under the supervision of experienced teachers and mentors, in order to gain practical experience and develop teaching skills, with the aim of preparing students

Additional Information for Candidates for 2-nd degree studies (Master's degree studies): According to the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of July 25, 2019, on the standard of education preparing for the teaching profession (as of February 9, 2024, Journal of Laws, item 453), in addition to psychological and pedagogical preparation and didactic training, subject-related preparation is required to perform the teaching profession of a specific subject, which is implemented during the first- and second-cycle studies, the program of which provides learning outcomes in the categories of knowledge and skills covering the content of the teaching of a specific subject. This means that, for example, to obtain preparation for the teaching profession of the Polish language, a student, in addition to completing second-cycle studies in the field of Polish philology with a teaching specialization, should complete first-cycle studies in the field of Polish philology or another field of study, the program of which provides learning outcomes in the categories of knowledge and skills covering the content of the teaching of the Polish language subject.

Additional Information

To obtain pedagogical preparation during higher education studies, students are required to complete all classes specified in the education standard and undergo pedagogical practices, in the scope and manner specified in the education standard and determined by the study program. It is not possible to obtain full subject-related and pedagogical preparation for the teaching profession only during first-cycle or only during second-cycle studies. On first- and second-cycle studies, it is possible to implement specified parts of the education standard preparing for the teaching profession, e.g. full pedagogical preparation. Individual mode of study does not exempt from participation in these classes. Students participating in the Student and PhD Student Mobility Program MOST may, with the consent of the dean of the faculty, credit selected subjects of pedagogical preparation at another university, if they implement program content and learning outcomes in accordance with the education standard preparing for the teaching profession. Pedagogical preparation can also be obtained during appropriate post-graduate studies. The supplement to the diploma should list the subjects of pedagogical preparation and practices with a specified hourly scope. The supplement should contain information on the places and scope of completed practices and the applicable legal basis of the standard preparing for the performance of the teaching profession.

Legal Provisions Regarding Preparation for the Teaching Profession and Required Qualifications

• Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of July 25, 2019, on the standard of education preparing for the teaching profession (Journal of Laws 2024, item 453)
• Ordinance No. 194 of the Rector of UMK of December 19, 2022, on the introduction of a teacher training model at Nicolaus Copernicus University
• Subjects of teacher training at higher education institutions at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
• Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of September 14, 2023, on detailed qualifications required from teachers (Journal of Laws 2023, item 2102)

Recommendations of the Polish Accreditation Committee

Interpretative position No. 11/2022 of the Presidium of the Polish Accreditation Committee of October 6, 2022.