Quality Policy for the development of the Master Programs at the School of Political Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Introduction
This document summarizes the quality policy that steers and determines the design and implementation of the Master Programs of the of Political Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The quality policy of the School’s Master Programs is constantly aligned to the country’s legislative and regulatory framework; in addition, as it is a complementary text to the quality policy adopted and implemented by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, it is aligned, specifies, redesigns and reaffirms its objectives on a permanent basis, following the quality strategy of the university.
Basic principles
The primary objective of the School is to provide students in all cycles of their studies with an excellent quality education that prepares them for a successful career in the field of political sciences, public administration and international relations. In order to achieve this, the School follows and implements the quality policy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in particular the objectives for continuous improvement of the quality in education and research, for the improvement of the quality of procedures and services of the School, the continuous improvement of working conditions and quality of life in the School, transparency at all levels and promotion to society, to the state authorities, but also to the international scientific community of the work carried out in the School.
As far as postgraduate programs are concerned, and especially for the Joint English-Language Interinstitutional Postgraduate Program “International Studies: Specialization in European Studies” (hereinafter referred to as the Program), the School has formulated and implements an integrated quality policy that guides their development process, and complements the quality policy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki while complying with the relevant special standard of the HAHE.
In summary, the present document on the quality policy for the School’s Master Programs focuses on three main goals: the academic excellence, a thorough and successful educational process and the continuous Improvement of its Master Programs.
Academic Excellence
The School of Political Sciences is committed to providing high-quality education to its students. The Master Programs of the School are designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the various fields of political sciences, including their theories, methodology, and practices. The Programs are designed to always remain rigorous, comprehensive, and up to date, and to reflect the highest standards of quality in teaching, research, and assessment.
To achieve this goal, the School employs highly qualified teaching staff (faculty members and contracted personnel) who are experts in their respective fields and committed to teaching, research, and service for students. The teaching staff members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom, and they use innovative teaching methods to help students learn and to increase their skills and knowledge. The School ensures that faculty members teaching in its master programs continue to have the necessary qualifications, expertise, and experience to deliver high-quality instruction and mentorship to our students.
The School also ensures that the Postgraduate Programs comply with the specifications and provisions imposed by the current regulatory framework and any guidelines of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, including all obligations arising or determined by the accreditation bodies and the State, while at the same time the School has and operates an internal quality assurance system.
The School also offers state-of-the-art facilities to its students. The Master Programs are supported by modern classrooms, computer labs, and research facilities. The School also provides access to a vast array of academic resources, including online databases, e-journals, and books. This ensures that students have the resources they need to succeed in their studies.
In addition, the School conducts its Master Program development process in an ethical and responsible manner, adhering to the highest standards of academic and professional integrity.
Thoroughness of the educational process
The excellent and successful education of our students is at the heart of the quality policy of the Postgraduate Programs of the School of Political Science. The School pursues and is committed to providing students with the tools they need to achieve their academic and professional goals. To this end, the School provides a supportive educational environment that encourages academic success and personal development, and includes clear and measurable learning outcomes for each Postgraduate Program and the assessment of whether participants have achieved these outcomes, using a variety of methods, such as exams, writing assignments and projects, and ongoing assessment.
The Postgraduate Programs of the Department are designed to help students develop the critical thinking, research ability and analytical skills required to successfully conduct and complete complex research/applied projects in the fields of political science of their interest. The School offers a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of subjects, including international relations, political analysis, comparative politics, political theory, political history, and public policies. The Programs also offer opportunities for students to engage in research and drafting scientific texts, including high-level scientific dissertations.
In addition, in order to ensure the qualitative development of its Postgraduate Programs, the School follows a policy that actively involves our students in the development of postgraduate programs, regularly requesting their evaluation and incorporating their comments into the redesign of the Postgraduate Programs.
Continuous Improvement
The School of Political Sciences is committed to the continuous improvement of all its educational programs, so as to provide students with an outstanding education that prepares them for successful careers in political science. To achieve this goal, the School engages in ongoing assessment and evaluation of its Master Programs.
The School regularly reviews its curriculum, teaching methods, and, to the extent of the possible, facilities and infrastructure to ensure that they meet the needs of its students. As already stated, the School also seeks feedback from students and faculty to identify areas for improvement. The feedback is used to review and make changes, if necessary, to the Master Programs, including updates to the curriculum, changes to teaching methods, and upgrades to facilities.
The Quality Objectives of the School of Political Sciences for the International Postgraduate Program “International Studies: Specialization in European Studies” are the following:
- To consolidate the identity of the Program in the European University scene
- To Improve the Program’s communication strategy
- To increase the diffusion of research at the academic level, at the public sphere and in teaching
- To ensure academic quality in the educational process
- To raise its recognition
- To strengthen the participation of the Program in international fora
- To enhance extroversion towards the city of Thessaloniki
- To increase its human resources (faculty, administrative staff)
- To Improve its educational provisions, its learning environment, and its daily operation
- To Improve its provision of information
- To Improve the links with the Program’s graduates
