Economics and Public Policy

The main aim of the suggested programme is to provide students with multidisciplinary theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are necessary for

a) understanding basic economic concepts and specifics and complexity of public policy and decision-making in the public sector, and for

b) analytical thinking and using the theoretical concepts in dealing with socio-economic problems in practice.

The programme is intended for everyone who wants to understand relationships between the public and private sectors. Students will be introduced to the theoretical concepts related to the economics, economic policy, public administration and public policy and will be encouraged to employ them and think critically. They will also be provided with a knowledge on relevant decision-making and evaluation methods and tools.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• understand and explain main theoretical concepts of economics;
• understand and explain main theoretical concepts of management;
• understand and explain main theoretical concepts of public economics, public policy and public administration;
• understand, explain and discuss developments in the European integration and policies, governance structures and law of the European Union;
• understand, explain and discuss developments in economic policy and the public sector in their home countries;
• think analytically, creatively and critically about current topics and issues from the above areas;
• efficiently search for relevant information and data, prepare a high quality academic texts dealing with the topics and present their work efficiently either individually or in a team;
• use the theoretical knowledge in discussing and solving real problems of economic and public policy.

As a graduate of the program you will obtain competences that will help you pursue a future career in the public sector. You will be qualified to apply for economic and administrative positions in public administration and public sector organizations (including international organizations) where employees are required to understand the complexity of the public sector and the necessity to approach it critically also from the economic perspective. This program can also help you if you intend to pursue your career in the private sector, especially in organizations that are connected to the public sector (such as NGOs or consulting organizations).

Practical training or internship are not an obligatory part of the study plan in this program. However, you may attend an optional course of practical training or internship. Even if you do not opt for an optional course, practical training will be included in the courses through a combination of various practice-oriented methods and teaching methods such as case studies, joint-projects, inviting experts with hands-on experience, etc.

Elaboration of the final work of about 30-35 pages (without attachments) should verify the ability of students to apply problem-oriented approach to interest entities (businesses, public and state institutions, non-profit organizations, cities and regions, information systems, etc.), search for necessary set of relevant information, identify and accurately describe problem fields in accordance with acquired theoretical knowledge, determine appropriate methods and procedures for their applied analysis, describe and analyze obtained data and propose specific and typically feasible measures to resolve problem or optimized situations. The focus of the final work and its practical outcomes will be closely linked to the compulsory course of Practice, both content and form will be decided on in cooperation with the supervisor.

Successful completion of the program may help you apply for our continuous Master Degree Programs offered in English (Public Finance, Economics) or for similarly oriented Master Degree Programs in the Czech Republic or abroad.