Public Administration (Administration publique)

The Public Administration (Administration publique) study programme is prepared by Masaryk University in Brno in cooperation with the University of Rennes in France. Czech and French teachers alternate in teaching, therefore partof the teaching is in Czech and part in French. The programme is aimed at preparing highly qualified personnel for public administration. The teaching is strongly interdisciplinary and uses the proven know-how of the renowned French IPAG at the University of Rennes. The focus of the programme, the structure of the courses and the teaching method are in line with the standards used in France. Along with solid economic knowledge, graduates receive an education in the broad field of administrative sciences and law, all with an emphasis on the European dimension of public administration processes. Through internships in Czech and French public institutions and special courses, graduates also develop their prerequisites for successful practical work.

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

• Understand basic microeconomic and macroeconomic models and economic problems and use them to identify and solve practical problems and formulate recommendations.
• Know the main theoretical concepts of public administration, public finance, and administrative reform trends.
• Understand the specifics of public administration and the role of each type of public administration in the Czech Republic. Identify and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Czech administrative system.
• Understand the general and procedural parts of administrative law and be able to apply them. Know the mechanisms of public administration control.
• Understand the French administrative system as well and compare it with the administrative system of the Czech Republic.
• To be familiar with the management tools of public administration institutions (in the field of strategic, quality, and HR management) and use them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of practical management in authorities.
• To be familiar with departmental public policies and important cross-cutting issue areas such as political marketing, e-government, the legal status of civil servants, and public procurement. To work with their tools and legal institutes.
• Orientation in the existing subsidy titles in public administration, knowledge of project management (especially for the implementation of non-investment projects). Use this knowledge in the preparation and evaluation of projects.
• Understand the trends of EU development and problems of European integration in the political and economic context. Understand the system of EU law and the mechanisms of its application in EU Member States and the issues of common EU policies.
• Discuss the positives and problems of European integration.
• Can produce a quality text. Knows the requirements of a research project and research reports and can independently apply standard methodological procedures in the fields of public policy, public administration, and public management.
• Effectively communicate and convey information, ask questions, listen and argue, in Czech and French. Can work effectively in a team, including international teams.

Successful graduates of the Czech-French Public Administration (Administration publique) programme work in European Union institutions, Czech ministries and many other interesting positions in the public sector. They have also obtained positions in the French–Czech Chamber of Commerce, as well as in private international companies such as Gardner Denver.

Within the framework of the study, the student is obliged to complete two internships. In the second year of study, students go to France, where they complete a two-month internship and teaching at L’Université de Rennes in France. It is important for the students that the trip to France is financially supported by the European Erasmus+ programme and the faculty itself contributes to part of the costs. In the second year of study, an internship is carried out in a Czech institution for a duration of one month. The programme will potentially allow participants to alternate between an internship in the Czech Republic and an internship in English in another developed country.

Students have the possibility to use a list of Czech and French institutions provided by the MFTAP programme coordinator and the French side. They can thus be sure that they will be doing their internship in an institution that is used to receiving interns and has tasks reserved for them that will advance them professionally in their subject of study. Czech internship mentors are invited each year to an MFTAP workshop where student feedback from both Czech and French internships is discussed.

Examples of internships in the Czech Republic: Brno City Municipality, South Moravian Regional Authority, Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, European Centre Brno.

Examples of internships in France: Préfecture d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Université Rennes 1 Service des Affaires Internationales, Chambre Régionale de Commerce et d'Industrie de Bretagne, Nantes Métropole, Maison de l'Europe de Rennes

The dual traineeship system gives the study programme an essential uniqueness and the opportunity to experience public administration practice in two different countries of the European Union. The intercultural dimension is a specific comparative advantage of this system.

The preparation of a Master's thesis is a compulsory part of the study. The thesis is primarily aimed at verifying the ability to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the elaboration of a specific topic in the field of public administration, public finance, or public policy. Students can choose topics using their experience from internships in Czech and French public administration institutions.

Graduates of the programme will be prepared (if they wish) to pursue a doctoral programme with a focus on, for example, economics, management, public administration and public policy in most countries of the world immediately after graduation or with time to spare after gaining practical experience.