Master's degree studies in a scientific institution: problems and prospects (case study of the Vologda research center of the Russian Academy of Sciences)

Wider access to education for the population is one of the important strategic resources of the country, which is necessary for its sustainable economic development. Federal Law “On education in the Russian Federation” states that the main goal of higher education is to prepare highly qualified specialists capable of effective professional labor and competitive in labor markets. Currently, most Russian students seek quality education which would meet all employer’s requirements. The transition of Russian universities to a multi-level system of higher education has harmonized the educational training programs for basic and specialized educational level. Therefore, Master’s degree continues to function and develop. Master’s degree in the system of Russian higher education contributes to the formation of in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge and abilities to scientific research, definition and development of professional qualities of Master’s students, the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in further professional activities. The purpose for the article is to analyze the main problems associated with the implementation of educational activities for Master’s programs in Russian universities, as well as opportunities and prospects for the implementation of the main professional educational Master’s program in a scientific institution. The paper analyzes the experience of educational institutions of higher education in the implementation of Master’s programs in various fields of training; federal state educational standards of higher education in Mastes’s degree programs are reviewed, defining the educational requirements to this level and (or) to the profession, specialty and sphere of training; the features of organization and implementation of educational activities for Master’s degree programs in a scientific institution are defined.