Masaryk University lifelong learning regulations
In accordance with Section 36(2) and (5) of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions and on the Modification and Amendment of Other Acts (Higher Education Act), the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports registered Masaryk University Lifelong Learning Regulations under Ref. No. MSMT-6303/2024-2 as of the date of signing the registration.
Mgr. Karolína Gondková
Director of the Department of Higher Education Institutions
(effective as of 1 May 2024)
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Section 1
Introductory and Basic Provisions
(1) In accordance with the provisions of Section 60 of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher Education Institutions and on Modification and Amendment of Other Acts (Higher Education Act), as later amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) and the Masaryk University Statutes (hereinafter referred to as the “Statutes”), these Masaryk University Lifelong Learning Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”) specify conditions applicable to the implementation of lifelong learning (hereinafter referred to as the "LLL"), education in internationally recognized courses and LLL in the microcredential system (hereinafter referred to as “MC”) at Masaryk University (hereinafter referred to as “MU”).
(2) MU guarantees equal access to LLL regardless of ethnicity, age, religion, gender,
immigration status or disability.
Section 2
Lifelong Learning Programme
(1) LLL including education for children and youth, University of the Third Age (hereinafter referred to as “U3A”), education in internationally recognized courses and in the microcredential system is implemented in LLL programmes at MU. Rules and procedures for the design, implementation and evaluation of LLL programmes are regulated by the LLL Programme Quality Standards in Appendix No. 1.
(2) Education in an LLL programme can be interest-oriented or career-oriented and can
be carried out in Czech or another language, in the full-time, distance or combined mode, independently or as part of an accredited degree programme. For the purposes hereof, an accredited degree programme means a currently implemented accredited degree programme or a currently implemented degree programme approved under institutional accreditation (hereinafter referred to as an “accredited DP”).
(3) Education in an LLL programme is implemented on the basis of an LLL plan(s). An
LLL plan regulates a unit of learning, which is in the form of one or more courses in the LLL plan. The guarantor of an LLL course is responsible for the professional level of the LLL course, its content, its quality assurance and development; this is the teacher or another person designated by the head of the unit teaching the LLL course. The activities of the LLL course guarantor may be defined in more detail by the authorized entity or by the head of the unit teaching the LLL course.
(4) Each unit of learning has its course load expressed in European Credit Transfer and
Accumulation System’s (hereinafter referred to as the “ECTS”) credits to
differentiate:
a) LLL programmes with units of learning worth 1 to 15 ECTS (“C1 category”);
b) LLL programmes with units of learning worth 16 to 64 ECTS (“C2 category”);
c) LLL programmes with units of learning worth more than the above limit (“C3
category”).
(5) LLL programmes are implemented by an MU constituent part or an organizational unit of the Rector’s Office (hereinafter referred to as the “authorized entity”) on the basis of authorization under Section 8. Together with the authorized entity, an LLL programme may be implemented in collaboration with
a) another MU faculty;
b) a university institute of MU;
c) another higher education institution;
d) another legal entity.
(6) An LLL programme implemented by an authorized entity – an MU faculty – is:
a) an associated LLL programme in the C1 to C3 categories if it is attached to an
accredited DP with a close or related subject matter;
b) an LLL programme accredited outside of MU in the C1 to C3 categories if it is not
attached to an accredited DP due to the fact that it is subject to accreditation granted by an accreditation or authorization body outside of MU or is implemented in accordance with guidelines of such accreditation or authorization body;
c) an LLL programme with individual courses in the C1 to C3 categories if it is not
attached to an accredited DP due to the fact that its LLL plans contain exclusively
courses of more accredited DPs;
d) an interdisciplinary LLL programme in the C1 category if it is not attached to a single accredited DP due to the fact that it involves interest-oriented interdisciplinary education.
(7) An LLL programme implemented by an authorized entity which is not identical with an MU faculty is:
a) a non-faculty LLL programme in the C1 category if it is not attached to an accredited DP;
b) a U3A programme in the C1 category if it is not attached to an accredited DP and is implemented within U3A in accordance with an MU regulation.
(8) In case implementation of an LLL programme is contingent on accreditation granted by an accreditation or authorization body outside of MU and such body requires that an entity entitled to file the application is:
a) the Rector, this application shall be submitted by the future authorized entity to the Lifelong Learning Division of the MU Rector’s Office at least three working days before filing the application;
b) the future authorized entity, such entity shall inform the Lifelong Learning Division of the MU Rector’s Office about obtaining the accreditation.
Section 3
MC Education
(1) MC education is the implementation of a small-scale learning unit expressed in ECTS credits and included in the European Qualifications Framework.
(2) MC education:
a) meets the formal and content requirements set out in an MU regulation;
b) is included in the LLL plan as MC;
c) is completed in a clearly defined way of verifying the acquired competences.
Section 4
LLL Applicant Admission
(1) Admission conditions for an LLL programme including the number of admitted applicants are determined by the authorized entity, which also decides on admitting an applicant.
(2) LLL programmes within an accredited DP may accept applicants who have met admissions requirements in accordance with Sections 48 to 50 of the Act in an identical accredited DP. Additionally, applicants who have met admissions requirements set out in Sections 48 and 49 of the Act and requirements determined by the authorized entity for admission to the programme may also be admitted.
Section 5
LLL Programme Organization
(1) The schedule of education in an LLL programme is disclosed to the public by the authorized entity in the public part of MU’s website for a currently implemented LLL plan at the latest on the starting date for accepting applications.
(2) Organization of classes, remuneration of teaching and other staff and administration related to the implementation of an LLL programme are the responsibility of the authorized entity.
(3) The methods of teaching and verification of educational outcomes in an LLL programme within an accredited DP are governed by the MU Study and Examination Regulations, as appropriate. The authorized entity may, through a regulation, determine further conditions governing the methods of teaching and verification of educational outcomes.
Section 6
LLL Programme Guarantor
(1) The nomination and responsibilities of the guarantor of an LLL programme accredited outside of MU or implemented in accordance with guidelines of the accreditation or authorization body are governed by the guidelines of such accreditation or authorization body.
(2) The guarantor of other LLL programmes:
a) in the C1 category is appointed and dismissed by the dean upon a proposal of the
head of a unit delivering the teaching, or upon a proposal of the relevant vice-dean. The guarantor of a non-faculty LLL programme in the C1 category is appointed and dismissed by the vice-rector authorized under the MU Organizational Regulations;
b) in the C2 category is appointed and dismissed by the dean upon a proposal of the
head of a unit delivering the teaching, or upon a proposal of the relevant vice-dean following approval by the faculty scientific board (hereinafter referred to as “SB”).
c) in the C3 category is appointed by the dean through procedure under clause b); the dean shall notify the MU Internal Evaluation Board (hereinafter referred to as “MUIEB”) of the appointment within thirty days.
A proposal under clauses a) to c) shall contain information on all facts decisive for
the assessment of requirements arising from the Act and these Regulations.
(3) The LLL programme guarantor may be an academic staff member or a senior employee of the authorized entity who:
a) in the case of an LLL programme in the C1 or C2 category has achieved higher education by completion of at least a master’s degree programme or an equivalent thereof studied at a university abroad and works at MU with an employment contract for at least half of the regular weekly workload under Section 79 of Act No. 262/2006 Coll., Labour Code, as later amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Labour Code”);
b) in the case of an LLL programme in the C3 category has been appointed professor or associate professor or was awarded the scientific degree of “Candidate of Science” (abbreviated “CSc.”) or has achieved higher education by completion a doctoral degree programme or an equivalent thereof studied at a university abroad and works at MU with an employment contract for the regular weekly workload under Section 79 of the Labour Code. The role of a guarantor of an LLL programme in the C3 category is incompatible with that of the Rector or dean; this does not apply in case the authorized entity proves that the LLL programme cannot be otherwise implemented.
(4) The LLL programme guarantor is responsible for the content, development, evaluation and organization of the teaching. For that purpose, the guarantor in particular:
a) is responsible for preparing documents necessary for obtaining the authorization to implement the LLL programme, for its expansion, modification or extension;
b) is responsible for preparing documents for the process of internal evaluation of the LLL programme;
c) establishes the specification of the LLL plan, ensures that it is made available to the public in the Information System of MU (hereinafter referred to as “IS MU”) and is responsible for its accuracy and relevance, and presents the programme to third parties;
d) is responsible for the compliance with the requirements ensuing from the LLL Programme Quality Standards;
e) keeps track of current developments in his or her educational field and uses the latest knowledge to improve teaching content and methods;
f) continuously, in cooperation with LLL course guarantors organizes and adjusts the teaching and content of LLL courses;
g) together with LLL course guarantors and heads of units delivering the teaching participates in regular teaching evaluation;
h) is responsible for the strategic development of the LLL programme based on
regular evaluation;
i) processes motions, requests, and queries associated with the LLL programme;
j) proposes changes to the implementation of an LLL programme in the C3 category through the procedure for changes to authorizations of accredited DPs in accordance with the MU Degree Programme Quality Regulations;
(5) In the implementation of an LLL programme attached to an accredited DP, the LLL programme guarantor:
a) cooperates with the guarantor of that accredited DP and
b) provides information to the programme board of that accredited DP that is
necessary for its activities associated with quality assurance;
Their relationship and the relationship of the relevant vice-dean and heads of units delivering the teaching with the LLL programme guarantor shall be determined by the authorized entity.
(6) The termination of the role of an LLL programme guarantor is governed by the provisions on the termination of the role of a DP guarantor under the MU Degree Programme Quality Regulations, as appropriate.
Section 7
Internal Quality Evaluation of an LLL Programme
(1) Internal evaluation of an LLL programme consists of:
a) feedback given by participants and graduates regarding the organization and quality of teaching and the promotion of the LLL programme;
b) statement of the LLL programme guarantor;
c) data attachments generated from the IS MU;
d) other information required by the MUIEB;
(2) Internal evaluation:
a) of an associated LLL programme is part of the internal evaluation of the accredited DP to which the LLL programme is attached;
b) of an LLL programme accredited outside of MU is carried out in accordance with the rules of the accreditation or authorization body;
c) of an LLL programme with individual courses is carried out in accordance with the rules of the evaluation of accredited DPs in which the study is implemented;
d) of an interdisciplinary LLL programme shall be governed by a regulation of the authorized entity in accordance with these Regulations;
e) of a non-faculty LLL programme is carried out in accordance with the schedule determined by the MUIEB;
f) of a U3A programme is governed by an MU regulation.
(3) Information about the implementation:
a) of an associated LLL programme is at least once a year submitted to the programme board of the accredited DP to which the LLL programme is attached;
b) of an LLL programme accredited outside of MU, LLL programme with individual courses and interdisciplinary LLL programme is at least once a year submitted to the relevant vice-dean of the faculty implementing the LLL programme;
c) of a non-faculty LLL programme is at least once a year submitted to the vice-rector authorized under the MU Organizational Regulations and to the MUIEB for information;
d) of a U3A programme is at least once a year submitted to the programme board of the U3A programme board.
Section 8
LLL Programme Establishment
(1) An intent to implement:
a) an associated LLL programme in the C1 category is approved by the guarantor of the accredited DP to which the LLL programme is to be attached, upon a proposal of the LLL programme guarantor;
b) an LLL programme with individual courses and an interdisciplinary LLL programme are approved by the dean upon a proposal of the LLL programme guarantor;
c) a non-faculty LLL programme is approved by the vice-rector authorized under the MU Organizational Regulations upon a proposal of the authorized entity;
d) a U3A programme is approved by the U3A programme board upon a proposal of the head of the Lifelong Learning Division of the MU Rector’s Office.
(2) An LLL programme accredited outside of MU is established by a decision of the relevant accreditation or authorization body.
(3) A proposal for an associated LLL programme in the C2 or C3 category is submitted by the dean to the faculty Academic Senate and, along with its statement, for approval to the faculty SB, which subsequently discusses the proposal with the proposed LLL programme guarantor. A proposal for an associated LLL programme in the C3 category is submitted by the dean to the MUIEB upon approval by the SB.
Such proposal contains:
a) a structured proposal seeking LLL programme approval;
b) a self-evaluation report on the fulfilment of requirements arising from the LLL Programme Quality Standards.
(4) The faculty SB or the MUIEB shall not approve a proposal for an associated LLL programme in the C2 or C3 category if the proposal:
a) is not of the same or related content as the accredited SP to which it is to be attached;
b) fails to meet the requirements of the LLL Programme Quality Standards;
c) is not consistent with the faculty strategy within the meaning of the MU Degree Programme Quality Regulations;
d) does not exhibit sufficient quality enabling assessment in accordance with clauses a) and b).
(5) An authorization to implement an LLL programme:
a) in the C1 category arises as of the date of approval of the intent;
b) in the C2 or C3 category arises as of the date of approval of the proposal;
c) accredited outside of MU ensues from accreditation granted by an accreditation or authorization body outside of MU.
(6) An authorization to implement an associated LLL programme may only be approved for the period of authorization to implement the accredited DP to which it is attached.
Section 9
Termination or Completion of LLL Education
(1) Education in an LLL programme is completed by graduation, is terminated by delivery of a participant’s written notice of education termination, by expiration of accreditation of the programme without any succession, or in consequence of a participant’s breach of statutory obligations under a law, MU regulation of agreement on study in an LLL programme.
(2) Completion of an LLL programme means fulfilment of the programme requirements and of the agreement on study in an LLL programme, if any.
(3) If the submission or defence of a written final thesis is a requirement of the LLL programme, the MU Study and Examination Regulations and other regulations shall apply accordingly to their public availability.
(4) The chair, vice-chair and members of the final examination committee, the members of the final thesis defence committee and the members of other committees or bodies supervising the fulfilment of the LLL programme requirements are appointed by the authorized entity.
(5) The authorized entity issues a certificate to LLL programme graduates which may
be attached a supplement containing a list of completed LLL courses along with
their assessment.
(6) The authorized entity is responsible for the issuance of a document evidencing completion of an MC programme to graduates of an LLL programme in the MC mode.
(7) LLL programme learning outcomes may be recognized as part of study in an accredited DP up to a statutory amount, depending on concordance of the content. The ECTS value of the relevant learning outcome is only indicative for recognition purposes and is awarded according to the credit value of the courses for which the learning outcome is recognized. Such a recognized learning outcome of an LLL participant can be recognized in other similar cases without any further consideration.
Section 10
Payment
The payment amount and method applicable to LLL programmes are determined by the authorized entity.
Section 11
Records
(1) LLL programmes and plans are recorded in the IS MU.
(2) MU keeps records of participants in LLL programmes. The provisions of the MU Statutes on the register of students apply accordingly to the determination of the content of the records, the method of keeping the records, their updating and the issuance of extracts and copies.
Section 12
Common and Transitional Provisions
(1) In accordance with these Regulations, the authorized entity may specify more detailed conditions of an LLL programme implementation through a regulation. The authorized entity shall notify the Lifelong Learning Division of the MU Rector’s Office of issuance of such a regulation without undue delay.
(2) Unless education in an internationally recognized course is regulated in accordance with subsection 1, it shall be accordingly governed by the provisions hereof on LLL programmes of the C3 category.
(3) The form and structure of the documents prescribed by these Regulations shall be
determined by the MUIEB.
(4) The authorized entity shall ensure the transition from the existing LLL programme records to the new LLL programme records in accordance with these Regulations no later than by 1 March 2025.
(5) LLL implemented prior to the effective date hereof shall be considered as LLL implemented in LLL programmes under these Regulations.
Section 13
Final Provisions
(1) The Masaryk University Lifelong Learning Regulations registered with the Ministry of
Education, Youth and Sports on 19 January 2017 under Ref. No. MŠMT-2152/2017 are hereby repealed.
(2) An integral part hereof is Appendix No. 1 – MU LLL Programme Quality Standards.
(3) The vice-rector authorized under the MU Organizational Regulations is entrusted with the interpretation of these Regulations.
(4) These Regulations were approved in accordance with Section 9(1)(b) of the Act by the Academic Senate of Masaryk University on 8 April 2024.
(5) These Regulations shall enter into force in accordance with Section 36(4) of the Act
on the day of registration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
(6) These Regulations shall enter into effect on 1 May 2024.
prof. MUDr. Martin Bareš, Ph.D., v. r.
Rector
Annex No. 1 to the MU Lifelong Learning Regulations
MU LLL Programme Quality Standards
Section 1
Basic Provisions
The MU LLL Programme Quality Standards (hereinafter referred to as the “Standards”) define the rules and procedures governing the establishment, implementation and evaluation of LLL programmes on the basis of internationally recognized procedures,
legal regulations, MU internal regulations and MU strategic documents.
Section 2
LLL Programme Definition
(1) LLL programmes have a clearly defined specification and are consistent with the MU
strategic plan.
(2) Education in LLL programmes enables the achievement of intended learning
outcomes that are in line with the focus and objectives of the LLL programme and
are based on contemporary developments in the relevant field of education.
Section 3
Teaching and Learning
(1) Course objectives, course load, methods and assessment of teaching in LLL programmes correspond to expected learning outcomes.
(2) With respect to teaching forms and methods, LLL participants are provided with access to learning materials as well as electronic and other study resources, and are entitled to engage in scientific projects, grants and other creative activities.
(3) According to the focus of studies, LLL programmes cooperate with practitioners, and this cooperation is periodically evaluated.
(4) Student evaluation is based on transparent, objective and predetermined criteria.
(5) LLL participants are provided with feedback during their studies, which enables them to improve and achieve planned learning outcomes.
6) LLL participants are provided with high-quality support regardless of any health-related impairments.
Section 4
Staffing
(1) The staffing corresponds to the focus of study in the relevant LLL programmes and to requirements for the quality and expertise of teachers.
(2) Teachers are provided with sufficient opportunities for developing their pedagogical and research-related competencies.
Section 5
Creative Activity
MU implements creative activities in a given educational area with regard to the focus of education in LLL programmes.
Section 6
Internationalization
LLL programmes aim at international cooperation.
Článek 7
Support Processes
(1) LLL programmes are provided with material and financial means necessary for the implementation of high-quality education.
(2) Information on LLL programmes is mprehensible, up-to-date and publicly available.
(3) LLL programmes conducted in a foreign language provide information on education as well as related support activities in the foreign language concerned.
(4) LLL programmes regularly evaluate information which is key to their implementation and work with feedback from relevant stakeholders.