Quality Assurance System in Education for Future Specialists in Special Education in Ukraine

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the features of the quality assurance system in education for future
specialists in special education at the first (bachelor’s) and second (master’s) levels of higher education in Ukraine.
Based on the analysis of modern Ukrainian research, it was determined that theoretical methodological and
conceptual approaches to the study and development of this problem are still leading in Ukraine. To date, no
comprehensive, practice-oriented research has been presented that would illustrate or analyse specific ways
to ensure/improve the quality of training for special education professionals. Unlike Ukrainian studies, foreign
studies offer specific, practice-oriented approaches to the quality assurance system in education for future
specialists in special/inclusive education.
Two criteria were used to conduct the study: the availability of accreditation from the National Agency for Quality
Assurance in Higher Education (evidence of the quality of educational and methodological support, staffing,
etc. in accordance with the criteria of the accreditation examination) and the attractiveness of the educational
program (volume of applications submitted, number of enrolled applicants, etc. according to the data of the 2023
admission campaign, compared to the same indicators in 2024 in Ukraine).
It was established that at the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education, 18 (33 %) of 54 educational programs have
accreditation from the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, 1 of them has accreditation
with the definition of “exemplary”, 26 educational programs (48 % ) have accreditation from the Ministry
of Education and Science of Ukraine, 6 have the status of “conditional (delayed) accreditation” and 8 (14 %)
educational programs have the status of “not accredited”. As for the second (master’s) level of higher education,
out of 55 educational programs, 26 (47 %) are accredited by National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher
Education, 2 are accredited by the definition of “exemplary”, 20 educational programs (36 %) are accredited
by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 6 educational programs (10 %) have conditional (delayed)
accreditation and 4 educational programs (7 %) are not accredited.
According to the second criterion, it was established: applicants gave preference when submitting applications
to the leading institutions of Ukraine in Lviv and Kyiv. Also, preference for submitting applications was given
to universities of Ukraine located in the west of the country, which is natural within the framework of security
conditions. In 2024, applicants mainly chose accredited educational programs, but not all universities have
it from National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education — 4 HEIs have educational programs accredited
by National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, 2 are accredited by the Ministry of Education and
Science of Ukraine, 3 are conditional (delayed) accreditations, 1 is not accredited. At the second (master’s) level
of higher education in the specialty 016 Special Education, the choice of HEIs is mainly regional, in addition, most
educational programs are accredited by National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. A sharp
increase in applicants was established in 2024. In general, the number of applications submitted in Ukraine
increased by 34 % compared to 2023, and the number of applicants who entered the second (master’s) level
of higher education also increased by 18 %