Masaryk University (MU) is the second-largest public university in the Czech Republic. At present it comprises ten facultieswith more than 200 departments, institutes and clinics. It is recognized as one of the most important teaching and research institutions in the Czech Republic and as a highly regarded Central European university. It has been infused with a strong democratic spirit ever since its establishment in 1919. The Faculty of Education offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes. Continuing professional development and lifelong learning programmes are also offered containing advanced, follow-up, special and conversion programmes and short-term courses for teachers and counsellors. Besides teaching programmes, the faculty runs studies in special and social education.
The department of Special Education at the Faculty of Education was set up in 1994 as a unique MU department based both on students’ and public’s claims and has the key role in the implementation of inclusive education in the Czech Republic; it prepares special needs teachers, but also participates in the training of teachers for primary and secondary schools