Professionalisation of Andragogical Staff Through a University Study Programme in the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Despite a rich tradition of institutional adult education and relatively continuous development of andragogical theory and practice, the Republic of Croatia has only adopted strategic and legal frameworks that have created the conditions for the professionalisation of adult education staff in the last twenty years. This paper aims to present the andragogical thought, legislative framework, and andragogy study programme in Croatia. The need for the university education of andragogues stems from research results that indicate many employers prefer highly educated staff in this field. To respond to current needs, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka is going to implement a University Part-Time Graduate Study in Andragogy programme designed in accordance with ten years of positive experience in adult education in the Republic of Croatia, modern achievements in andragogical theory and practice, and based on the Croatian Qualification Frame.