Public Law Studies

There is a growing demand for qualified professionals in the public sector who are also competent in foreign languages, both abroad (European Commission and other EU institutions, international courts and supranational organizations, law firms, etc.) and on the domestic labor market (especially universities, public administration bodies such as ministries, local authorities, administrative justice, law firms, etc.). The main goal of the studies is to gradually prepare the student for independent creative scientific work and his/her integration into scientific research teams. However, a related and equally important aim is to prepare top experts to fill the abovementioned positions.

The studies aim to form a deep theoretical basis of public law branches, to develop the ability to apply the theoretical basis in practice, to achieve an overview of global and European trends in the given fields, to gain motivation to continuously deepen knowledge and develop creative abilities, as well as teamwork skills.

Although the programme includes several public law disciplines, the curriculum includes a combination of compulsory and optional courses. The key document for each student's studies is the individual study plan drawn up jointly by the student and his/her supervisor. The focus of the individual study plan is the concentration of activities on the research topic of the thesis. Depending on his/her research focus, the student chooses courses from a range of discipline-specific courses, subject-specific workshops, seminars, and reading groups. There are both common courses for all students in the programme and courses divided by blocks (administrative law, financial law, tax law, environmental law, social law / social security law) from which the student can choose according to the focus of the thesis. Within the framework of the common foundation, each student receives a sufficiently structured public law foundation, which, in addition to the theory of public law and public administration and the European and international context, also includes an orientation in economic disciplines.

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

• reliably understand the public law sectors as well as the organizational and functional aspects of public administration
• understand the principles of public administration and local government, including financial activities
• do highly professional and scientific research work in the field, as well as highly specialized work in the environment of application practice, where he/she will be able to use his/her theoretical knowledge and skills
• act as an expert in the field of public administration in the area of legislation and administrative justice and in the development and implementation of state financial policy
• communicate internationally with professional academic and non-academic departments and form international scientific research teams in public law areas
• publish in a national and international context in his/her chosen field of public law, in the relevant European and international context
• act didactically in the areas of public law
• engage in highly conceptual thinking about the field, its future perspectives, and developments

Graduates are profiled for the profession of a scientific researcher and for professions where independent creative thinking is expected in the areas of public law, including work in the field of legislation, in the field of conceptual, programmatic, and analytical work in the field of public law and public administration, both domestic and European, as well as in the judiciary, and other areas where a deep theoretical basis is required.

The knowledge gained from the studies is applicable in the activities of the European Commission and other EU institutions, international courts and supranational organizations, public administration bodies (e.g., ministries, local self-government bodies), administrative courts, law firms, etc.

The graduate will be able to work as a teacher or researcher at domestic and foreign research and university institutions dealing with public law and public administration. He/she can also develop a highly professional activity in various positions and areas of public administration, both in the domestic and EU environment, and act as an expert in the field of public law and public administration, in the field of legislation and administrative justice.

The internship is not a compulsory part of the studies in the programme.

The thesis is an original scientific work containing the results of research carried out on the basis of an approved individual study plan. In terms of content, the text must demonstrate a high level of mastery of the subject assignment, including its theoretical and methodological context. The text must also demonstrate the doctoral student's ability to work with the relevant domestic and foreign professional literature, archival sources and to independently formulate and argue complex professional opinions.

The standard length of the thesis ranges from 150 to 300 standard pages, including the title page, Czech and English abstract, table of contents, and list of sources. Detailed conditions for the format and editing of dissertations are set by the Dean of the Faculty and the Departmental Board in the form of internal regulation.