Physiotherapy (PhD.)

The Physiotherapy doctoral study program (level 3) corresponds to level 8 of the Slovak National Qualifications Framework, which classifies qualifications based on criteria for specified education levels.

The program enables students to acquire:

• General knowledge at an advanced level, including professional and methodological knowledge across multiple areas of the field or practice, serving as a foundation for innovation and originality in practice, research, or artistic work, necessary for research design, development, or professional practice advancement.

• Cognitive knowledge to create and formulate new hypotheses, judgments, and strategies for further development of scientific or professional fields, including evaluation of theories, concepts, and innovations.

• Practical skills to apply findings from theoretical analysis and independent scientific research of complex and interdisciplinary nature, to design, verify, and implement new research and professional procedures.

• Competencies such as responsibility, independence, social skills, critical, independent, and analytical thinking in unpredictable and changing conditions, considering social, scientific, and ethical aspects in guiding further societal development; the ability to present research and development results to professional communities; leadership responsibility in scientific or professional fields; and planning of personal and societal development in the context of scientific and technological progress.

Graduates of the Physiotherapy doctoral program are capable of independent scientific work in the field. They master research methodology, understand and apply scientific methods to solve scientific problems, identify and define scientific problems, and can prepare research projects for problem-solving.

They are proficient in parts of research methodology and technology: conducting literature reviews on scientific problems across all types of information sources, defining research project goals, designing and applying methodologies for problem-solving, implementing research procedures, selecting and applying appropriate statistical methods for evaluating research results, critically assessing research outcomes and comparing them with relevant national and international literature, documenting research results thoroughly, and mastering research result dissemination through lectures, posters, abstracts, and full publications in Slovak and English/German, including electronic formats. They use modern methods of scientific information retrieval, handle scientific literature competently, and properly cite sources in lectures and published works. Their research significantly contributes to the development of the Physiotherapy field.

Graduates possess numerous skills: they comprehensively describe, analyze, and evaluate physiotherapeutic conclusions; understand basic indications, contraindications, and applications of physiotherapeutic, balneological, rehabilitative, and electrotherapeutic procedures; practice evidence-based physiotherapy in clinical kinesiology, pathokinesiology, functional diagnostics of the locomotor system, kinesitherapy methods, physical therapy, recreational-relaxation exercises, and ergotherapy; and can perform basic functional diagnostics and rehabilitation programming, including work rehabilitation.

The primary goal of doctoral studies is to develop a new generation of professionally prepared, creative scientific and scientific-pedagogical professionals capable of both specialized and multidisciplinary reflection in Physiotherapy.

Learning outcomes of the Physiotherapy doctoral program:

Theoretical knowledge (level 3)

Graduates have:

• Theoretical knowledge reflecting the current state of knowledge in Physiotherapy and related disciplines necessary to address assigned scientific problems.

• The ability to conduct independent scientific work and offer original solutions in Physiotherapy.

• Mastery of research methods in Physiotherapy.

• Understanding of core physiotherapy topics, including kinesiology and pathokinesiology, functional diagnostics of the locomotor system, kinesitherapy, balneotherapy, climatotherapy, hydrotherapy, thermotherapy, electrotherapy, phototherapy, and other components necessary for clinical applied research.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities (level 3)

Graduates acquire:

• Principles of scientific work and problem formulation.

• Legal aspects of physiotherapy research.

• Ethical and societal dimensions of scientific work.

• Ability to present scientific research results in publication and lecture formats.

• Understanding of the development of the Physiotherapy program and its practical relevance.

• Knowledge required for teaching activities at the faculty for full-time doctoral students.

• Ability to contribute original research that extends the boundaries of scientific knowledge through extensive work, some worthy of peer-reviewed national or international publication (dissertation ability demonstrated by acceptance of original research in specialized scientific communities).

• Skills for critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new and complex concepts.

• Communication skills to engage with colleagues, the scientific community, and the public regarding their expertise.

• Ability to support technological, social, or cultural progress in knowledge-based society within academic and professional contexts.

Graduates find employment as scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers capable of both specialized and multidisciplinary reflection in the field of Physiotherapy.

Graduates may also work in international organizations such as World Physiotherapy (WP), the European Region of World Physiotherapy (ERWP), international professional societies, patient organizations, professional associations, and European Union organizations. The primary employment of graduates should be within healthcare facilities (hospitals) as well as in undergraduate and postgraduate educational institutions.

Second-level university degree in Physiotherapy,

part-time study requires concurrent continuous professional practice in the field,

oral defense before a committee,

presentation on the assigned dissertation topic,

proof of English language proficiency at B2-C1 level,

list of published works.

APPLICATION

Attachments (copies must be officially certified):

second-level university diploma in Physiotherapy, diploma supplement (certified copies are sent by applicants from other universities than UCM; only FZV graduates send uncertified copies),

certificate of state examination (certified copies by applicants from other universities than UCM; only FZV graduates send uncertified copies),

curriculum vitae,

confirmation of completion of master's studies and obtaining the title “Mgr.” (confirmation must include the average grade from the state exam for admission ranking; send immediately after passing the exam),

confirmation of concurrent continuous professional practice – applies only to part-time study,

confirmation of payment of the admission fee,

medical fitness assessment – from a general practitioner (form template available at https://fzv.ucm.sk/sk/prijimacie-konanie/).

Doctoral studies consist of a study part and a scientific part. The study plan is prepared by the supervisor and submitted for approval to the departmental committee. The study part mainly includes lectures, seminars, and individual study of professional literature relevant to the dissertation topic. The scientific part consists of individual or team scientific work by the doctoral student related to the dissertation topic. The scientific part is professionally supervised by the supervisor.

Full-time doctoral students are required to perform teaching or other professional activities related to teaching for up to four hours per week on average during the academic year of study. If a doctoral student registers for a dissertation topic offered by an external educational institution, they carry out the scientific part and the agreed study obligations of the doctoral program at that external institution. The university concludes an individual agreement on doctoral studies with the external institution, covering the doctoral student’s activities and the external institution’s costs.

Description of the study program for FULL-TIME study.

Description of the study program for PART-TIME study.

Rules, forms, and methods of teaching, learning, and assessment of study outcomes in the study program enable achieving educational outcomes while respecting student diversity and their needs, as anchored in UCM’s Internal Regulations:

• Internal Regulation of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava 5/2021: Internal Quality Assurance System for Higher Education at UCM in Trnava.

• UCM Study Regulations.

• Directive to Ensure Universally Accessible Academic Environment for Students with Specific Needs.

• Directive on Equal Treatment and Protection against Discrimination – Gender Equality.

Active student participation, autonomy, creativity, and independence in education and learning processes are encouraged and reflected in student assessment.

Student diversity and needs are respected, with flexibility in study trajectories to accommodate balancing work/family life with university studies.

A range of pedagogical methods, forms, and concepts are flexibly used, and assessment methods are regularly reviewed and improved. Assessment methods at UCM include written exams, projects, presentations, essays, case studies, examples, combined exams (written and oral), etc. Assessment follows procedures defined in the UCM Study Regulations.

Students receive appropriate guidance and support from teachers, fostering mutual respect in the student-teacher relationship.

Examiners are well-informed about verification methods of learning outcomes, testing, examination, and assessment methods, with university support for continuous improvement of their skills.

Assessment allows students to demonstrate the extent and level of achieved expected learning outcomes and provides feedback, including recommendations and guidance for the learning process when necessary.

Assessment is consistent and fair to all students, conducted according to pre-approved procedures, providing reliable conclusions without unjustified disparities.

Assessment appropriately considers circumstances of students with specific needs (e.g., mobility impairment, visual impairment, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia).

Students have recourse against assessment results, ensuring fair treatment of appeals. They may request a commission exam with at least two examiners appointed by the department head. Assessment considers student activity, independence, and creativity. Mitigating circumstances (e.g., injury, illness, pregnancy) may be taken into account. Students can file complaints per internal regulations and have formal appeal procedures, guaranteed participation in the review of complaints, and feedback on outcomes and measures taken. Serious complaints are handled by the university controller. Students may contact the Ethics Committee if they suspect ethical code violations.

As part of the university’s evaluation process, an annual Report on Educational Activity Outcomes is prepared and submitted to the UCM Scientific Council and faculties. It analyzes key qualitative and quantitative educational indicators aligned with the UCM Long-Term Plan.

Support for Mobility

Development of international cooperation at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius is primarily realized through bilateral and multilateral agreements focused on mutual exchange of students, teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as through international scientific projects, joint scientific events, and collaborative publication of research results. Students and staff interested in study or work abroad can use various mobility programs like Erasmus+ or participate based on international bilateral agreements or other mobility and scholarship schemes. Support also includes hosting foreign visitors, delegations, and experts who enrich the teaching process and contribute to internationalization of science, research, and education at the university.

The university obtained an Erasmus+ project “Mobility of Students and Staff Between Programme and Partner Countries” (International Credit Mobility - ICM) under Erasmus+, Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals.

This project enables student and staff mobility within signed inter-institutional agreements between program countries (Slovakia) and partner countries outside the EU. The Erasmus+ program is governed by Directive No. 16/19 on Erasmus+ administration, with transparent student selection criteria. Mobility administration is coordinated with the UCM External Relations Department.