Study programmes and courses

The study programme Social work in mental health care is designed as a follow-up master's programme in social work. It is aimed at deepening the knowledge of social and health-social workers for mental health care. It responds to the needs arising from the reform of psychiatric care in the Czech Republic. The graduate will be competent to apply theories, methods and techniques of social work in practice, especially with people with mental illness.  He will be able to reflect and solve ethical dilemmas and crisis situations arising from social work with a given target group, to manage decision-making processes in the exercise of his profession. In the framework of the study, attention is also paid to law and management, thanks to which the graduate will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead multidisciplinary teams. The aim of the study programme is to achieve a comprehensive readiness of graduates for the performance of the profession of social or health-social worker in the field of mental health care with emphasis on self-experience and self-reflection - to achieve a level of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and disciplinary overview that will enable them to:

• fit for professional social work practice at all levels of prevention,
• eligible for professional social work practice in acute and aftercare for people with mental illness,
• capable of collaborating in multidisciplinary teams and leading them where appropriate,
• ready to participate in the development of community social work in mental health care reform,
• capable of contributing to the development of the field, the profession and interdisciplinary collaboration,
• capable of their own professional growth and development,
• capable of critically reflecting on the needs of individuals and society in mental health care,
• ready to participate in destigmatization.

Applications should only be submitted electronically via the e-application. The admission fee is 650 CZK and must be paid no later than the application deadline of the given round (if you do not enrol, the fee is not refundable). Further payment instructions (account number, variable symbol) find in the online application. 

What subjects will you study?

The list of subjects you will take during your studies (both compulsory and your choice of compulsory and optional subjects) can be found in the study plan. The study also includes professional practice in the scope of 240 hours.

Conditions for admission to study are:

• providing proof of attainment of a bachelor's or master's degree entitling to exercise the profession of a social worker (according to Act No. 108/2006 Coll. on Social Services as amended),
• eligibility to study:
• supported by a motivation letter (1-2 standard A4 pages) containing a justification of interest in studying in the Social Work in Mental Health Care programme at the Jihlava Polytechnic University (max. 20 points),
• oral interview on practice in the field (max. 10 points),
• oral interview to assess the applicant's overview of the current state of mental health care in the Czech Republic (max. 20 points).
• Acceptance of applicants who are foreign nationals (with the exception of Slovak nationals) is also subject to proof of knowledge of the Czech language. This proficiency can be demonstrated by a Czech language matriculation exam (successfully passed matriculation exam at a Czech high school) or demonstrated by an oral interview at the entrance exam at the Polytechnic University of Jihlava (understanding of the spoken word, ability to interact and identify the motivation, expectations and immediate needs of the student).

The full text of the admission requirements for the academic year 2024/2025 at the VŠPJ can be found HERE.

In the context of the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine caused by the invasion of the Russian Federation troops, the VŠPJ has issued special rules for students and applicants with temporary protection in the Czech Republic and citizens of Ukraine. The full text of the special rules can be found HERE.

For more information on the Czech language exam, including exam dates, see HERE. The Czech language exam will take place as part of the aptitude test.

Part of the admission procedure for AR 2024/2025 is again No FEE for acts related to the admission procedure for applicants in difficult social situation. No fee will be charged to an applicant who meets the following conditions:

• submits an application for admission to a bachelor's or master's degree programme no later than 15 May 2024,
• is not a graduate of the same type of study programme (written affidavit),
• proves that he/she is in a difficult social situation (written certificate issued at his/her request by the state social assistance body that the family income ascertained for the purposes of child benefit for the third calendar quarter of 2023 did not exceed the product of the family's subsistence minimum and a coefficient of 1.5),
• applies for the fee not to be set by 10 April 2024 at the latest.

An application for non-assessment of the fee is available HERE, a model affidavit is available HERE.

For more information, see RR No. 2/2024 HERE.

Further information on the admission procedure:

• Bachelor's/Master's degree and Diploma Supplement with appropriate provision for qualification to practice as a social worker must be submitted by one of the following methods:
• online (uploaded via personal folder in the e-application) - only authorised document conversion (provided by Czech POINT branches) - other electronic versions of the document, e.g. a simple scan, will not be accepted
• by correspondence to the study department (certified copy)
• in person at the Study Department (certified copy)
• NOTICE: if the information that the graduate is entitled to practice the regulated profession of a social worker in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 108/2006 Coll. on Social Services, as amended, is not indicated on the "Diploma Supplement" document, the applicant is REQUIRED to provide a document from which the fulfilment of this condition is evident. This is, for example, a confirmation from a college/university of the approval of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for the implementation of a given study programme entitling graduates to exercise the regulated profession of "social worker". The method of proving this document is identical to the principles of proving the Diploma or Diploma Supplement.
• The Bachelor's/Master's Diploma, Diploma Supplement or the above-mentioned document proving that the applicant has fulfilled the specified obligation must be delivered by 22 August 2024.

• Capacity/motivation letter (including all required details) must be submitted through one of the following methods:
• online (uploaded via personal folder in e-application) - a simple scan will be accepted, while the original can be delivered in paper form to the study department
• by correspondence to the study department
• in person at the study department
• Motivation letter must be delivered according to the deadlines of the individual rounds of the admission procedure AR 2024/2025 (in case of not delivering it on time, the candidate will not be invited to the oral interview)
.
• All the above information is available to candidates in their e-application form.

Where can I find the results of the admission process?

The summary results of the admission process can be found here: View

Your further questions can be answered at the Study Department, tel. 567 141 181 or at email studijni@vspj.cz.

Important dates for applications and admissions

The last date for regular enrolment for the academic year 2024/2025 is 12 September 2024. 

Combined study