Awarding of Master's degree

Content, organization of master's education and rules for awarding "master's" degrees

It was approved by the decision No. 88 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 12, 2010.

1. General provisions

1.1. These Regulations are prepared in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Education" and other legislative acts and regulate the content, organization and awarding of "master's" degrees of higher education on the basis of state educational standards.

1.2. Master's training as the second level of higher education ensures the implementation of specialist training in relevant specializations according to the classification of master's specializations (programs) approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At this level, specialists are prepared on the basis of relevant educational programs for the specialization of individual specialties from the base of bachelor's education

Master's training in culture, music, art, sports, architecture, design and other fields that require special abilities and are distinguished by their own characteristics is carried out only in fields that require theoretical preparation and research. The list of these qualifications is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan

1.3. These Rules apply to all higher education institutions of the republic, regardless of their subordination, property type and organizational-legal form, and determine the requirements for the content of education at the master's level, relevant educational programs for individual specializations, as well as the level of preparation of students.

1.4. These Regulations create a chance to integrate higher education system of the republic into the European education and the recognition of educational documents issued in our country in the international educational space by setting general requirements for the level of specialist training, improve the quality of education in higher education institutions, increase the responsibility, as well as the efficiency of personnel training, improve teaching-methodical support, transparency of the dissertation defence of students, international and pan-European education based on the educational standards of the quality level of education accepted in the country

1.5. Full-time and part-time forms of education are defined at the master's level

1.6. The normative period of full-time education at the master's level is 1.5-2 years (the period of part-time education is six months longer). This period is determined by the educational programs of individual specializations.

1.7. Regardless of the subordination and property form, master's education can be carried out on a paid or free basis in all higher education institutions of the republic.

1.8. Regardless of the subordination and property form, the master's degree is established by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan based on the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan in all higher educational institutions of the republic with sufficiently high scientific and pedagogical personnel potential, material and technical base and educational infrastructure.

1.9. Master's training in the relevant specialty is carried out only in higher schools with the first level (baccalaureate) graduation of higher education in the specialty.

1.10. Admission to the master's degree in state higher education institutions is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan up to 20 percent of the bachelor's graduation of that specialty (relative to the total of paid and unpaid students).

1.11. Student admission to the master's degree program is carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the State Commission for Student Admission of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

1.12. Admission of citizens of foreign countries to the magistracy is regulated by relevant legislative acts.

2. Requirements for the content of education and the organization of the educational process at the master's level

2.1. Master's degree is an educational process that ensures the training of highly qualified, independent creative professionals in accordance with the requirements of the second level of higher education.

2.2. Master's training in higher education institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan is an educational program for individual specializations, a study plan prepared accordingly, working programs (syllabi) for subjects and other normative documents (evaluation rules, individual study plans, lesson schedules, examination schedules, lesson regulations, it is carried out on the basis of the rules of conducting the experiment, etc.).

2.3. The content of the master's education includes the planning of the educational process and scientific research, the forms and methods of its implementation, the volume of the educational load, the duration of the educational stages (semesters), the types of education (lecture, workshop, laboratory, etc.), the volume of individual subjects, specializations of the specialty covers the requirements set in the educational program.

The planning and organization of the teaching process and scientific research work is carried out on the basis of the curriculum (exemplary and individual) and subject programs and staff programs for subjects prepared accordingly.The form and structure of these plans are determined by the higher education institution.

Subject programs are prepared by higher education institutions in accordance with the requirements of the educational programs of the relevant specialty and are approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Work programs (syllabi) for subjects are prepared and approved by the higher education institution.

Working curriculum (syllabus) - a description of the subject prepared on the basis of the relevant program of the subject, its goal and purpose, brief content, duration and types of lessons, tasks for the student's independent work, their completion time, consultation hours, information about the teacher, it is a document that reflects the teacher's requirements, evaluation criteria, intermediate evaluation table, and the list of used literature.

2.4. The content of education at the master's level consists of interrelated theoretical training, pedagogical and professional training, as well as scientific research.

Master's theoretical training and pedagogical preparation of humanitarian, specialization and specialization subjects include lectures, exercises, seminars, counseling, free work, pedagogical experience, etc. is ensured by learning in the form.

Master's training in the field of scientific research is provided by conducting research and preparing a dissertation in accordance with the requirements of specific research activities.

2.5. The structure of the educational program for individual specializations of the specialty consists of teaching (humanitarian and general preparation, as well as specialization subjects) and scientific research.

2.6. The organization of teaching at the master's level is carried out with the credit system (ECTS - European Credit Transfer System applied in European countries) based on the rules approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the requirements of the state standard of the higher education level.

2.7. Attestation of students in subjects (assessment of their knowledge) is carried out with a multi-point (100-point) system in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

2.8. The academic year, as a rule, consists of two semesters (fall and spring). In addition, a summer semester can be organized for no more than 6 (six) weeks during the summer vacation.

2.9. In the period of full-time education, 45 weeks are allocated to theoretical teaching, 8 weeks to scientific research and scientific-pedagogical experiments, and 15 weeks to exam sessions. At this time, the audience hours are 12-16 weeks.

12 weeks are allocated for the preparation and defense of the dissertation, and 14 weeks for vacations.

2.10. The volume of the student's weekly workload in the classroom and outside the classroom (all teaching, scientific research and scientific-pedagogical) is 45 hours. At this time, classes are 12-16 hours

In correspondence form, the volume of classroom lessons for students is 120-160 hours per year. Each academic year, the training period begins on September 15 and ends according to the curriculum.

2.11. One academic hour is equal to 45 minutes. 2 academic hours are determined for all types of lessons. The break between academic hours should not be less than 5 minutes.

2.12. The scientific research works carried out on the master's degree should be research and applied works.

2.13. As a rule, supervision of master students is carried out by representatives of professors and teachers working in that educational institution with a scientific title or scientific degree, or by persons working in other institutions and organizations that meet the same conditions. One person is not allowed to supervise more than 5 graduate students. If the direction of the graduate student's scientific research consists of the convergence of various sciences, he may be assigned a scientific advisor as well as a supervisor.

3. Specialized councils for the defense of master's theses

3.1. The final stage of education at the master's level of higher education is the defense of the master's thesis (depending on the specialty, there may also be a final exam).

3.2. Those who have completed the master's level are awarded the "master" higher scientific-specialty degree. The "Master" degree is awarded based on the decision of the specialized councils established by the higher education institution for the complete of master's theses. Those who have completed this level of education can continue their studies in doctoral studies.

3.3. The procedure for creating specialized councils and organizing their work is determined by the relevant regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

4. Final attestation in master's degree

4.1. Students who have fulfilled all the conditions of the study plan are admitted to the final attestation.

4.2. The final attestation consists of the defense of the master's thesis and examinations in specialized subjects. The master's thesis is completed at the meetings of specialized councils.

4.3. The requirements for the content, writing, presentation and defense of the master's thesis are determined by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

4.4. Those who have fully completed the curriculum of the master's level educational program in higher educational institutions and got a master's degree are awarded a state model diploma in a specified form.

4.5.A person who doesn’t completed the master's level for one reason or another is issued a reference in the manner determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The form of the reference is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan.