Apor Vilmos Catholic College

About

Apor Vilmos Catholic College is open to the non-Catholic or non-religious students, too, but the representation and transmission of Catholic values is present throughout the training spectrum of every program they offer.

Apor Vilmos Catholic College is hosted in the impressive building of a one-time seminary in Vác, a town a half-an-hour ride north of Budapest. It has been the college’s headquarters since 2004, offering the pleasant environment of a restored, listed building in one of the most beautiful squares in Vác, in the proximity of the Assumption Cathedral.

The college was established first in Zsámbék as an affiliated department of the Esztergom Teacher Training College in 1977, then, from 1981, as the independent Teacher Training College of Zsámbék. It was the only village college at that time in Hungary. From 1993 the college has been run by the Catholic Church, first under the name of Zsámbék Catholic Teacher Training College, then, in 2000, the College was named after the martyr bishop, blessed Vilmos Apor. The college continued to work in Zsámbék till 2003, when due to an unfortunate accident of fire the building burnt down and the training could not continue. In 2004 the college was taken over by the ordinary of the Vác Diocese. Since then, the training has been carried out in Vác, with many more study programs than in the beginning.

Degree programmes

Young professionals with AVCC degree can easily find employment, almost all of them in accordance with their training. Students can choose the most appropriate form: full-time, correspondence, state-funded or fee-paying training.

Our BA programs cover almost the whole spectrum of teacher training, as we train professionals for Infant and Early Childhood Education, Pre-school Education [with German and Roma ethnic minority specializations] – also in English language, and Lower-primary Education [with German and Roma ethnic minority specializations]. The scientific and humane teachings of caring for adults in need are dealt with Social Pedagogy [specializations: Organizing free-time and preventive activities, Integration problems in Roma communities]. Religious studies programs include Church Cantor and Catechist-Pastoral Assistance. The lecturers of the programs are the dedicated, science degree holding priests of the Vác Diocese.

We also offer a Pedagogy MA program with Family care pedagogy and Supportive education specializations.

Our future plans include launching further BA and MA programs, tailored to the needs of modern society. We plan to offer a wider choice of training to all those who would like to study in a family-like community. For it is the greatest attractive force of our college that besides transferring the necessary skills and scientific knowledge, teachers take particular care of the spiritual development of the students. Since we are a small institution we know each other and in a small community obstacles can be overcome more easily.

International relations provide for a variety of study trips and professional practices abroad. Through our Erasmus relationships students can get to a number of countries in Europe. The training is completed with optional opportunities, different workshops and clubs. We lay particular stress on talent fostering in the fields of sciences, arts and sports. We also offer Romology and ethnic studies to our students. The abundant library stock, the dedicated and conscientious work of our highly qualified teachers support the professional preparation and the continuous development of our students – both theoretically and practically. Students receive a high-level, practice-oriented training, which implements the newest scientific achievements which conveys Catholic values. Thus students develop not only in knowledge, but in humanity as well.

Events organized by the Students’ Council bring colour into everyday life, offering opportunity for relaxation. For students who live far away we offer two dormitories with 2-3-bedded rooms, permanent Internet-availability and all the facilities necessary for everyday life. We also offer these rooms as moderately priced accommodation to individuals or groups of tourists visiting Vác in the summer period.

Postgraduate teacher training courses are available in distance education form and specialized postgraduate trainings as correspondence courses. We consider it most important to provide opportunity for ongoing development for teachers already working in the field of education.

Besides tuition, lecturers take part in different trainings themselves. Conferences, organized at AVCC, often at an international level, our own periodicals (Katolikus Pedagógia [Catholic Pedagogy], Szociálpedagógia [Social Pedagogy], Magyartanítás [Teaching Hungarian] offer excellent opportunity for sharing research results.  Almost all of our lecturers hold a PhD degree or have enrolled to a doctoral course.  Our research workshops – involving our students – examine the new opportunities of different branches of science and their practical implementations.

Source: http://en.avkf.hu/hu/rectors-welcome