The dissertation is a theoretical and experimental study into the problem of formation of intercultural competence of future specialists of socionomic professions in the conditions of higher education institution. The bibliographic analysis of the problem of professional training of specialists of socionomic professions to work in an intercultural environment and the formation of their intercultural competence in higher education was carried out. The conceptual bases of formation of the investigated construct are substantiated. Philosophical and culturological principles of intercultural education, features of functioning of specialists of socionomic professions in the intercultural context were characterized.
An analysis of the peculiarities of the development of intercultural education and training of specialists of socionomic professions to work in an intercultural environment in the United States and the EU was carried out. The major theories of intercultural interaction (Anxiety Uncertainty Management, Face Negotiation Theory, Communication Accommodation Theory, Integrative communication theory of cross-cultural adaptation, Cultural schema theory, Cultural Identity Theory, Identity Management Theory, Cultural dimensions theory, The uncertainty reduction theory, etc.) and the models of intercultural competence (Сompositional, Co-orientational, Developmental, Adaptational and Causal path models) were translated and introduced into scientific terminology.
The concept of formation of intercultural competence of future specialists of socionomic professions, based on ideas of integration of formal and informal intercultural education was developed; the formation of intercultural competence in the process of professional training with ensuring the phasing of the researched process and its educational-methodical and content-technological support and methodological, theoretical, methodical and technological concepts were outlined.
The author has implemented a system of formation of intercultural competence of a specialist of socionomic professions in a higher education institution, which covers a set of interconnected functional blocks. These blocks include: conceptual-target (purpose, tasks, methodological approaches, general and special pedagogical principles), structural-semantic (conceptualization, professional profile of the specialist; components of intercultural competence; procedural-technological (provides educational and methodical materials, content and technological support of educational, practical, research, educational and self-educational activities of students, stages (propaedeutic (1st year), basic (2nd year), integrative (3rd years), creative (4th year) and result-evaluation (criteria, indicators and levels (low, medium sufficient, high) and the result of the formation of the studied phenomenon.
A conceptualization and a professional profile of a specialist in socionomic professions were developed. The components of intercultural competence of future specialists of socionomic professions (motivational, cognitive, activity-communicative and conative and their indicators: motivational (motivation for the formation of intercultural competence, the formation of values); cognitive (formation of knowledge and understanding of intercultural competence); activity practical (ability to professional activity in an intercultural environment and behavioral flexibility); professionally communicative (communicative knowledge and communicative skills); reflexive personal (ability to reflect and the formation of personal qualities) were described; levels of the formation of intercultural competence of future professionals of socionomic professions (low, medium, sufficient, high) were characterized.
The author implemented educational and methodical materials, content and technological support and organizational-pedagogical conditions of effective functioning of the system of formation of intercultural competence of future specialists of socionomic professions in higher education institutions (motivation to study and professional activity in the intercultural environment; creation of intercultural educational environment in higher education institution; ensuring active self-development and self-improvement through the use of innovative pedagogical, information and communication technologies).
Key words: institution of higher education, specialist of socionomic professions, intercultural education, intercultural competence, professional profile of a specialist, system, modeling, educational and methodical materials, content and technological support, intercultural educational environment.
